Celebrate the Annunciation as the Day of the Unborn Child!

March 25, which is nine months before the celebration of the Birth of Christ, is the Annunciation, when Jesus was conceived within the body of the Virgin Mary as she accepted her call to be the Mother of God.

Priests for Life, along with many other pro-life groups, urges believers to celebrate this day as a Day of the Unborn Child, with special observances that highlight the Church’s pro-life teachings.

In 2019 take a journey through pregnancy from March 25th (Day of the Unborn Child) to Christmas Day, 2019 A coalition of national pro-life groups are urging people to observe March 25th as the “Day of the Unborn Child” (already celebrated in various countries), and then to journey through the nine months of pregnancy, until Christmas Day, with prayer, outreach, and education, so that people may learn about the development of the unborn child. For project details see www.BabyChris.org.

Fr. Frank

The Magisterium’s most comprehensive statement on the sanctity of life, the encyclical Evangelium Vitae, was issued on March 25, 1995, the Solemnity of the Annunciation. This feast marks the moment at which the Incarnation took place. At Mary’s “Fiat,” God began existing in a human nature – a human nature at the earliest stages of its development within Mary’s body.

“Mary’s consent at the Annunciation and her motherhood stand at the very beginning of the mystery of life which Christ came to bestow on humanity” (Evangelium Vitae, 102).

At a time when our society is beset with the evil of abortion, and when the human embryo is treated as a mere object for scientific research, Priests for Life believes that the celebration of the Feast of the Annunciation is more important than ever. By celebrating this Feast with special solemnity, and by spending more time meditating on its doctrinal and spiritual lessons, the faithful can be even more solidly rooted in their pro-life convictions, and spurred on to effective action in defense of life.

We pray that the pastors of the Church will lead their congregations in special pro-life observances on this Solemnity each year. 

Reflection by Pope John Paul II on the Annunciation

Reflections by Fr. Frank Pavone on the significance of this Feast: First reflection and Second reflection

Day of the Unborn Child – Pontifical Society of the Holy Childhood

Annunciation homily by Fr. Denis Wilde, OSA

Reflections by Fr. Charles Byrd, Georgia

A special prayer that can be used as you observe this Feast:

Redeemer in the Womb

Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you that when Mary, your Mother, said “Yes” at the Annunciation, You took our human nature upon Yourself. You shared our life and death, our childhood and adulthood.

You also shared our time in the womb. While still God, while worshiped and adored by the angels, while Almighty and filling every part of the universe, You dwelt for nine months in the womb of Mary. You were our Redeemer in the womb, our God who was a preborn child.

Lord Jesus, we ask You to bless and protect the children who today are in their mothers’ womb. Save them from the danger of abortion. 

Give their mothers the strength, like Mary, to say “Yes” to you. Give them grace to sacrifice themselves, in body and soul, for their children.

Help all people to recognize in the preborn child a brother, a sister, saved by You, our Redeemer in the womb, who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.

Redentor en el Vientre

Señor Jesucristo, te damos gracias porque cuando María, tu Madre, dijo “sí” en la Anunciación, tu tomaste nuestra naturaleza humana en ti mismo. Compartiste nuestra vida y nuestra muerte, nuestra infancia y adultez.

También compartiste nuestro tiempo en el vientre. Siendo Dios, adorado por los ángeles, siendo Todopoderoso y llenando cada parte del universo, Tú habitaste por nueve meses en el vientre de María. Fuiste nuestro Redentor en el vientre, nuestro Dios, que era un niño no nacido.

Señor Jesús, te pedimos que bendigas y protejas a los niños que hoy están en el vientre de sus madres. Sálvalos del peligro del aborto.

Dale a sus madres la fuerza, para que como María, te digan “Sí.” Dales la gracia de sacrificarse en cuerpo y alma, por sus hijos.

Ayuda a todas las personas a reconocer en el niño no nacido a un hermano, una hermana, salvado por ti, nuestro Redentor en el vientre, que vives y reinas por los siglos de los siglos. Amén.

News from past years of celebrating the Annunciation:

The Annunciation: A Feast of Life

Pro-Life Leaders Call for Annunciation Celebration

A special prayer vigil for life was held in Rome on March 24, 2015 for the 20th Anniversary of Evangelium Vitae