This Monday as a nation we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In honoring his legacy, we recognize his great efforts in shedding light on the need to respect the fundamental dignity of the human person. We honor his important work in addressing and in overcoming many of the racial injustices of the past in our country. In one of his powerful messages, he voiced hope that “…the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away, and that in some not-too-distant tomorrow, the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty.” As we reflect on these words, and on his efforts, we also acknowledge that much still needs to be done to heal wounds and divisions that continue to exist in our nation.
As Catholics, we are called to respect the fundamental dignity of the human person and hope to see that dignity be granted to all of God’s children, including our preborn brothers and sisters. This support for the fundamental dignity of the human person and the sanctity of life will be emphasized on this coming Friday, as Archbishop Hartmayer celebrates a special Mass for the Preborn at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Atlanta. All are invited to attend.
“A Short Prayer for the Unborn” provided by “Human Life International” reflects our concern for unborn human life. :
Dear Heavenly Father,
You have placed a love for preborn babies in the hearts of so many of us.
Help us spread this love throughout our country.
Help us teach the sanctity of human life to those who neither see nor understand it.
Guide us as we work to protect all babies from abortion.
Teach us to show Your compassion to both moms and their babies so that they come to understand the meaning of selfless love.
And please hold all Your children safe in Your arms.
In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.
As we reflect on this prayer, Our Holy Father Pope Francis has challenged us to bear witness not only to the value and sacredness of the preborn, but also to the elderly, and the physically and mentally ill. He also asked us to be compassionate toward those suffering from the painful trauma of abortion and to pray for their healing.
Our Church teaches that all life is precious and worthy of protection. Therefore, we are invited to take to heart the examples of Dr. King and Pope Francis and do our part in promoting the dignity of the human person as we continue our journey of faith.