The Respect Life Apostolate (RLA) of the Archdiocese of St. Louis provides leadership for all respect life activities within the Catholic community of St. Louis under the direction of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Recognizing the inherent dignity of each human person from conception through natural death, the RLA strives to build a Culture of Life through spiritual support, pastoral care, education and public policy. RLA programs are designed at the diocesan level to serve parishes and the local community, reaching their fullest potential through the collaboration of the pastor and parish respect life coordinator.    

 Programs, Events, Prayer Campaigns & Service Projects 

• RLA #iGiveCatholic Campaign Benefitting Rachel's Healing Garden Through 11/28
• Naming & Commendation Rite, St. Francis Borgia (Washington), Sunday, 12/3, 1 p.m.
• Archdiocesan Parish Observances for National Night of Prayer for Life, Friday, 12/8
• Mass in Memory of Our Children, Basilica of St. Louis, King of France, Sunday, 12/10
• Archdiocesan Pro-Life Mass & Rosary, Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, Saturday, 12/16
• Christ the King Respect Life Committee's Advent Prayer Service & Reception, Thursday, 12/21

Weekly/Monthly

• Monthly Archdiocesan Pro-Life Masses, 3rd Saturday, 8 a.m., Cathedral Basilica
• Weekly St. Ambrose Pro-Life Masses, Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m.
• Weekly Pro-Life Prayer Vigils, Thursday mornings, outside of Fairview Heights Abortion Facility (email [email protected] with questions)  

Archdiocesan, Missouri Catholic Conference (MCC) & USCCB Pro-Life Updates:

• MCC: Missouri Ballot Initiative Update (December 2023)
• MCC: US Catholic Bishops Hold Fall Plenary Assembly and Reaffirm the Right to Life as Preeminent Priority (November 2023)
• ArchSTL: St. Louis Review Feature on New Middle School Pro-Life Club at St. Gabriel's (November 2023) 
• ArchSTL: "5 Things You Can Do" Parish Resource in Advance of the MO Ballot Initiative (November 2023)
• USCCB Pro-Life Chairman's Statement on National Pregnancy Help Appreciation Week (November 2023)
• ArchSTL: Missouri Ballot Initiative Update as Presented at the Respect Life Conference (October 2023)
• ArchSTL: St. Louis Review on the Respect Life Conference and MO Ballot Initiative (October 2023)
• MCC: Judge Rewrites Summaries for Abortion Initiative Petitions (October 2023)
• ArchSTL: St. Louis Review Article on Respect Life Month (October 2023)
• USCCB Pro-Life Chairman's Address for Respect Life Month (October 2023)
• MCC: Attorneys Challenge Constitutionality of MO's Death Penalty Law (September 2023)
• ArchSTL: St. Louis Review Article on Abortion Healing Ministry (September 2023)
• ArchSTL: St. Louis Review feature video: "I have Down syndrome and I have no limits." (August 2023)
• ArchSTL: Respect Life Creative Writing Contest results (May 2023)

History Of Respect Life In St. Louis

50th Anniversary: Celebration Of Life  

On March 25, 2023, the Respect Life Apostolate celebrated 50 years of service to the Archdiocese of St. Louis in promoting the Gospel of Life. It was founded by John Cardinal Carberry in 1973 within weeks of the tragic Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton decisions which legalized abortions throughout the United States. Cardinal Carberry opened the first diocesan office in the nation dedicated to protecting and advocating for the preborn child and helping pregnant mothers. Known as the Archdiocesan Pro-Life Committee, the ministry became the blueprint for similar ones in dioceses through the nation, as well as the national pro-life pastoral plan and vision of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

1. View our anniversary slideshow, "50 Years of the Respect Life Apostolate."
2. Photos from the Respect Life Golden Gala (Courtesy of Cori Nations Photography) 
3. View a 10-mintute St. Louis pro-life history video produced for our 40th Anniversary in 2013.

Forgiveness, hope & Healing After Abortion

The Abortion Healing Ministry of the Archdiocese of St. Louis offers a wide network of support for those wounded by abortion. Project Rachel (for women), Project Joseph (for men), and the Catholic Renewal Center (for women, men and couples) provide healing and hope. No matter what your experience was or how long it has been since the abortion, hope, healing, and forgiveness are available. 

Wounded by abortion? Click here for help and resources.