Following Blessed John Paul ll's call for a "great prayer for life", here are some suggestions if you and/or your parish want to do something extra during Lent to help build a culture of life:

1. A prayer for life can be said daily or as frequently as you and/or parishioners wish. Click here to download a beautiful prayer for life from the Life Marriage and Family Office, Archdiocese of Melbourne. If you would like a hard copy of this prayer card, please contact the Life Marriage and Family Office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
2. A weekly/one off fast day that could end with a communal simple supper and prayer.
3. A rosary with the intention of healing for those suffering after abortion/or for an end to abortion/for those involved in abortions/for those who may be considering abortion/for policy makers/medical students and medical professionals.
4. Extra hours of adoration, daily, weekly, or a one off event. A suggestion could be to offer 40 hours over the 40 day period or an extra hour per week.
5. If your parish has a youth group a session could be arranged with a 'life' theme. If your parish doesn't have a youth group a one off event could be arranged. It could include prayer for life during Mass, rosary, reflection, adoration, benediction etc ...
6. Your parish could organise a talk or screen a film with a positive pro-life message. Some movie suggestions include: October Baby, Bella, Tuesdays with Morrie or The Human Experience.

Source: Life, Marriage and Family Office, Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne.  Used with permission.