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.

Congratulations to the Archdiocesan Finalists of the 2023 8th Grade Creative Writing Contest (photo courtesy of Cori Nations Photography) 

Programs, Events, Prayer Campaigns & Service Projects (Click each link below for details)

• 2023 8th Grade Respect Life Creative Writing Contest Results
• Read the 2023 Creative Writing Contest winning entries (click, then scroll).
• Birthright Run for Life & Learning, 6/3
• Archdiocesan Breast Cancer Healing Mass, 6/10
• Archdiocesan June Pro-Life Mass & Rosary, 6/17
• Gabriel's Retreat for Pregnant Moms and New Moms, 6/23
• Respect Life Apostolate co-sponsoring national Pro-Life Women's Conference, 6/23 - 6/25 (use code RLA2023 to get $10 off!)
• Steubenville St. Louis Midwest Catholic Youth Conference, weekends 7/7-7/9 & 7/14-7/16
• Biking for Babies national Celebration of Life event, St. Joseph Parish (Manchester), 7/15

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

• MCC End of Session Legislative Report (May 2023)
• USCCB Parish Pro-Life Action Guides & Resources (May & June 2023)
• USCCB: National Visitation Novena for Life (May 2023)
• ArchSTL: Respect Life Creative Writing Contest results  (May 2023)
• MCC: Group files initiative petitions to add abortion rights to the Missouri constitution (March 2023)
• USCCB: Bishops' united position against the evil of abortion (February 2023)
• USCCB: Pro-life Chairman homily at the 2023 Respect Life Vigil (January 2023)
• MCC: The pro-life movement post-Roe (Fall 2022)
• ArchSTL & MCC: Catholic call to end the death penalty in Missouri webinar recording (Summer 2022) 

History of Respect Life in St. Louis

50th Anniversary: Celebration of Life  

• Click here to view the 50th anniversary slide depicting the many ways the APLC/RLA has served the cause of life.
• Click here to view the photos from the March 25 Respect Life Golden Gala: A Celebration of Life, compliments of Cori Nations Photography. 

40th Anniversary Video 

Click on the image to play the 40th Anniversary video of the Respect Life Movement in the Archdiocese of St. Louis! 

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.