Knights Announces Novena for the Cause of Life

Knights and all faithful urged to pray and reflect on teachings of Pope Francis

Contact : Knights of Columbus News Bureau news@kofc.org, 475-255-0097

NEW HAVEN, CONN. – The Knights of Columbus has announced a “Novena for the Cause of Life” to be prayed over the nine days from Oct. 4 to12 as part of Respect Life Month, annually observed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

K of C Supreme Knight Carl Anderson  said the novena has been organized to include each day a period of reflection on a quote from Pope Francis on some aspect of the sanctity of life followed by a decade of the rosary and a closing prayer to Mary drawn from Evangelium Vitae, the 1995 pro-life encyclical by Pope St. John Paul II.

“The cause of life is today’s preeminent priority, as Pope Francis indicated when meeting with the US bishops in January,” Anderson said.  “The Knights wish to join all Catholics in prayer with Pope Francis for an end to abortion, euthanasia and the many social ills that bring illness, broken families, unhappiness and premature death, especially for the vulnerable” said Anderson. “The theme of this year’s national observance, ‘Live the Gospel of Life,’ says that, with Christ, we are meant to enjoy and foster life, the gift of being fully alive.”

Each October the Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month with the first Sunday of October observed as Respect Life Sunday. During the month, the Church asks Catholics to reflect more deeply on the dignity of every human life. 

“In 2020, we have lost lives due to the coronavirus pandemic and endured civil unrest, yet abortion remains the leading cause of death in America,” said Anderson. “As the year enters its final months, we are prompted to pray more and with greater vigor that hearts may be more open to life in all of its stages.”

The novena is available at kofc.org/novena.

About the Knights of Columbus

The Knights of Columbus is one of the world’s leading fraternal and service organizations with 2 million members in more than 16,000 parish-based councils. During the past year, Knights around the world donated more than 77 million service hours and $187 million for worthy causes in their communities. The organization also offers extensive life insurance services to members and their families, resulting in more than $114 billion of life insurance in force. Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors offers investment services to individuals and institutions in accord with Catholic social teachings. From helping children in need, to providing wheelchairs for the disabled, to helping stock food banks, to offering top-rated and affordable insurance products to its members, the Knights of Columbus has supported families and communities for more than 138 years.