Directed to participation in the sacramental life and prayer of the Church, that the culture of death surrounding us today will be replaced by a Culture of Life & Love.
Annual Celebration of Life Mass & Rosary
Every January, the Archdiocese of St. Louis community gathers in prayer to witness to the dignity of human life at the Annual Celebration of Life Mass and Rosary (formerly the Annual Roe v. Wade Memorial Mass). Join Catholics and other pro-life advocates to thank God for ending abortion in Missouri in 2022, honor those lost to abortion, pray for those wounded by abortion in need of healing, and commit to build a Culture of Life and Love.
The Mass, celebrated at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, is followed by the Holy Rosary and Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction. In addition, the Mass collection benefits the LifeLine Coalition, which helps thousands of local women and families annually.
The 2023 Celebration of Life Mass was held on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023 at 10 a.m.
Click here for the photos of the 2023 Mass. These life-affirming, heart-changing images are courtesy of Cori Nations Photography.
Click here for the photos of the 2020 Mass. These beautiful images are courtesy of Lisa Masek Photography.
Monthly Pro-Life Mass & Rosary
Each month since January 2000, the Archdiocese of St. Louis has held a pro-life Mass & Rosary on the third Saturday established in St. Louis in January 2000, is a peaceful, prayerful life-saving ministry that meets on the third Saturday of every month (except in January when it's replaced with the Celebration of Life Mass).
The prayer vigil begins with 8 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral Basilica followed by the Holy Rosary, to peacefully pray for and witness to the dignity of preborn life, moms, couples and families facing unplanned pregnancy, those caught up in the abortion industry, and those wounded by abortion. If your parish priest would like to celebrate one of our monthly Masses and lead the Holy Rosary, please contact [email protected] or 314.792.7598.
Click here for the 2023 Pro-Life Mass & Rosary Flyer!
Celebrants for Upcoming Masses:
- Saturday, May 20, Fr. Michael Lampe (serving Immaculate Conception Parish [Dardenne])
- Saturday, June 17, Fr. Clark Philipp (serving St Clement of Rome Parish)
Young Adult Pro-Life Holy Hour
Since 2015, the RLA has partnered with the Office of Young Adult Ministry and Anima Christi to hold a Pro-Life Holy Hour for young adults in the Archdiocese of St. Louis (18-39). Held on the eve of the national March for Life in Washington, DC at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, the prayer event includes a reflection by a Catholic, pro-life leader, Eucharistic Adoration, Holy Rosary, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Our 2023 Holy Hour was held on Thursday evening, January 19.
Adoption Mass
November is National Adoption Month. Every year, the RLA joins with Good Shepherd Children and Family Services and the Office of Natural Family Planning to coordinate a celebration for those who have been involved in any way with adoption, a gift twice given.
In the United States, about 120,000 adoptions occur each year. Many people, directly and indirectly, are affected by adoption:
- Women seeking options for unplanned or crisis pregnancies
- People and couples seeking children to complete their families
- Foster families and agencies involved in the placement and protection of children
- Children who have been adopted
The Annual Adoption Mass is celebrated at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis each November on the third Sunday. The 2022 Mass, celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Mark Rivituso was held on November 10. Information on the 2023 Mass will be posted here later in the year.
Breast Cancer Healing Mass
Many people in the Archdiocese of St. Louis are wanting to raise awareness and support women and families who have gone through this very difficult disease. Since 2011, the Respect Life Apostolate has offered this Healing Mass in collaboration with different parishes throughout the archdiocese.
We hope this Mass will give those in attendance the opportunity to join their sufferings with Christ as we pray for the peace and healing of all.
This Mass is held each June on the second Saturday with a reception following. For more information on the 2023 Mass, scheduled for June 10 at 9:30 a.m., please contact 314.792.7598 or ma[email protected], or download the information below.
Spiritual Adoption
Initiated in 1991, this simple yet effective program provides an opportunity for children, teens, adults and senior citizens to prayerfully intercede on behalf of moms and unborn babies threatened by abortion. Participants spiritually adopt a baby known by God to be at risk of abortion by pledging to pray the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen prayer daily for nine months.
"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I love you very much. I beg you to protect the life of the unborn baby that I have spiritually adopted. Mary, our Mother in Heaven, pray for us, and especially for your little ones! Because God loves every baby He creates, I promise to pray for my spiritually adopted baby for nine months."
The goal of the program is three-fold:
- Encourage prayers for babies in danger of abortion and for their parents.
- Educate adults and children about the development of babies in the womb.
- Provide material assistance to mothers in need through a "baby shower" or "birthday party" at the conclusion of the program.
Schools and Parish School of Religion programs can promote Spiritual Adoption for the nine months of the school year, September through May. It works well for a parish to participate along with the school. Another option is to offer the program from the Feast of the Annunciation through Christmas. At the end of the nine months of prayer, schools and/or parishes can hold a baby shower to gather new or gently used items for agencies that provide a home or support for mothers with a crisis pregnancy.
Spiritual adoption prayer cards, Milestones brochure, and leadership pamphlet are available free of charge through the RLA Office. To order these resources, contact [email protected] or 314-792-7555.
Word of Life Intercessions & Bulletin Announcements
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops provides monthly suggestions for pro-life prayer intercessions and bulletin briefs which are available in English and Spanish. Homily notes are provided occasionally. As a courtesy the RLA sends these materials to a representative from each parish monthly. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Blessings for Expectant Mothers
The Church has long had the practice of blessing women before childbirth. By celebrating and respecting expectant mothers and their unborn children, we can help express a new culture of life and love. We encourage all parishes to regularly offer this blessing. Contact your parish’s Liturgy Committee to suggest starting this tradition in your parish and the RLA would be glad to assist in this process.
Other Respect Life Prayer Websites
Pro-Life Prayers from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Pro-Life Prayers from the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph
Priests for Life Prayer Resources