Given the dignity with which it has been endowed, all persons must be welcomed, valued and protected by society in all times and circumstances. Aware of such obligation, the bishops of the United States have extended an invitation to all people of good will to participate in a Novena for the Legal Protection of Human Life, which will be taking place between Aug. 3 and Sept. 28.
Moved by such invitation to prayer and penance, the faithful gathered with Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller, MSpS, at San Fernando Cathedral Aug. 12 to ask so that a change in the U.S. Supreme Court will move the nation closer to the day when every human being is protected in law and welcomed in life.
“We are being asked to observe a novena of prayer on behalf of our country during these nine weeks. We need to pray for all elected officials and candidates in the legislative and executive branches and for all who serve in the judicial branch,” said Archbishop Gustavo in his homily. “There are so many crucial issues facing our nation: abortion, capital punishment, civil rights, immigration policy, euthanasia, health care and education for everyone — to name only a few. Moreover, we need to accept our own share of the responsibility for bringing healing and reconciliation to our divided land and to bring us back to basic values and a way of life in which all lives are respected and protected and everyone may enjoy justice, peace, and prosperity.”
The archbishop concluded by saying, “Our Lady of Guadalupe embraces us with her maternal love and is with us as we seek to be faithful to our vocation as missionary disciples — even though we may experience the wilderness, discouragement, and even powerlessness at times.”