Catholic Bishops of France Urge All to Pray this Novena as they are Faced with the Possibility of the Legalization of Euthanasia
On Monday, June 22, the bill on end-of-life care returns to the National Assembly for a third reading. This bill aims to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide in France. Since the initial debates, the bishops of France have strongly emphasized that life is not cared for by ending it, but by accompanying it attentively until the very end. On May 18, they had also denounced the risk of "moral imprudence" and "disrespect for democracy."
Last week, Pope Leo addressed Spanish parliamentarians with these words: “The defense of human life is neither a partial issue nor a confessional interest: it is a civilizational objective. Every human life must be recognized and protected from conception to natural decline, in all circumstances of its existence. […] The moral greatness of a nation is manifested above all in its capacity to accompany, protect, and love lives that are experiencing the greatest vulnerability.”
Join the prayer chain on Hozana
From June 22nd to 30th, the day of the vote in the National Assembly, the bishops of France invite Catholics who wish to participate to join in a novena of prayer for life. The intention read on this subject during the Prayer of the Faithful on Sunday, June 21st, begins the novena. Eight other specific intentions have been prepared for the coming days. We can incorporate them into our daily prayer, with an Our Father, a Hail Mary, and a Glory Be. May the Holy Spirit , at the dawn of new debates, enlighten consciences and renew us in hope , so that the dignity of all human life may be recognized, protected, and respected.
Here is the program for the novena
Day 1 • Sunday, June 21 (prayer intention to be included in the Prayer of the Faithful)
Lord, we pray for our elected officials, who will resume their debates this week regarding end-of-life issues. We ask you to enlighten their consciences, so that they may guide our country on the path of life and that the dignity of every person may always be recognized, protected, and respected.
Day 2 • Monday, June 22nd
Lord, we entrust to you all those who are currently experiencing the ordeal of a suffering end of life. Give them strength and comfort, and grant that, on this mysterious path, they may be joined and helped by witnesses of your love. Open our hearts, so that we may be attentive to their suffering and make ourselves available to accompany them.
Day 3 • Tuesday, June 23
Lord, we present to you all the caregivers who, in nursing homes or hospitals, care for the sick, the elderly, or those nearing the end of their lives. Fill them with your grace, so that they may be renewed in the joy of this generous service.
Day 4 • Wednesday, June 24th
Lord, we entrust to you all those afflicted with incurable illness, who no longer see the meaning of their lives and wish to end them. May your Holy Spirit visit them and rekindle in them the joy of life despite the pain of the ordeal they are going through. Help us to be, in their presence, servants of hope .
Day 5 • Thursday, June 25th
Lord, we entrust to you all the families who are caring for a loved one who is ill or nearing the end of their life, especially those who are discouraged by this situation. You who gave your life on Calvary, grant them to experience your mysterious presence in the midst of their suffering. May we, at their side, be witnesses to your Heart that has loved us so much.
Day 6 • Friday, June 26
Lord, we ask you to come and comfort all those who are sick, elderly, or nearing the end of their lives, who receive no help and suffer from profound loneliness. Come and fill their hearts with your love. May they, through our humble and willing presence, feel how much you love them and discover that you walk with them.
Day 7 • Saturday, June 27th
Lord, we entrust to your mercy those who die today, especially those who experience this passing in the solitude of a hospital or on the street. We believe that you take them into your Heart burning with love. Make our hearts more attentive to the distress of these brothers and sisters.
Day 8 • Sunday, June 28th
Lord, we entrust to you all the deceased members of our families, our parishes, our communities, and those unknown, for whom no one ever prays. We believe that your mercy is boundless. Welcome them into your presence, so that they may experience the joy of life with you.
Day 9 • Monday, June 29th
Lord, we come before you. Too often, we fail to care for our brothers and sisters who are sick or nearing the end of their lives. Open our eyes and our hearts, so that we may see your face within them. May your grace help us to be generous, more attentive, more available. Make us true witnesses of life.
https://eglise.catholique.fr/actualites/agenda/572016-fin-de-vie-neuvaine-priere-juin-2026/
Comments