Immaculate Conception Church, Fairbanks, Alaska

“The Lord called me from birth,
from my mother’s womb
 he gave me my name.”
Isaiah 49:1

Spiritual Adoption Program

• Prayer for the child in the womb who is threatened by abortion
• Prayer of healing for those suffering because of abortion
• Prayer of consolation for those sorrowing because of a miscarriage
• Movement of life and fruitfulness inspired by the Holy Spirit

What is Spiritual Adoption?
Spiritual Adoption is
A. Prayer
B. Education
C. Service

A. Spiritual Adoption is intercessory prayer to protect unborn children and to guide their families and communities to give them life. Participants pledge to pray for nine months for an unborn baby. The child will remain unknown to his or her “spiritual parent”, but God knows who the child is. Participants name the child in order to stay focused on the reality
that their prayers are being heard by God and are helping to save a particular baby.

B. Spiritual Adoption is education. Throughout the nine months, participants will learn about the growth and development of unborn children, as they follow their own babies’ progress from month to month. Monthly announcements on the babies’ development. Such education forms a basis for further instruction on Catholic social teaching on the life and dignity of the human person.
C. Service can also be incorporated. At the time of the baby’s birthday, a “birthday party” or “baby shower” may be held to celebrate the birth. At this time, donated baby items might be collected and donated to a family in need in the school or parish or to a local maternity home. Also money contribution will be appreciated.

What do we pray?
The spiritual adoption lasts for nine months. We begin this year on January and finish on October (Respect of Life Month) in our Parish but personally you can start anytime. The prayer consists of saying:

• One decade of the Rosary each day for nine months
• Daily prayer for your adopted child (spiritual adoption prayer – card)
Who can spiritually adopt? Everyone. We are all called to respond to the needs of others, to the needs of the communities we live in. We invite both, consecrated religious and lay people, women and men of all ages and whole families to undertake this work of mercy. Children also may adopt, however, they should be encouraged and actively supported by their parents. How can I be sure God will listen to my prayer? Our faith is based on God Almighty and on His Divine Mercy. God is the Giver of Life, and it is His will for each child to have life and to receive the love of his/her parents. How did the Spiritual Adoption movement begin?
This movement started in the wake of the Fatima apparitions. It’s response to our Mother’s plea that we pray the Rosary and make reparation for the sins which wound her Immaculate Heart.
Some other concerns?
• We adopt only one child for each nine month period!
• The child is known only to God, as is his/her name!

LITANY FOR LIFE
Lord, have mercy.
R. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
R. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
R. Lord, have mercy.
You breathed life into Adam
R. Lord, you give us life!
You formed Eve from flesh R.
You heard the cry of innocent blood R.
You spared the life of Cain R.
You saved Noah from the flood R.
You filled Sarah's barren womb R.
You gave Abraham a son R.
You preserved the life of Jacob R.
You punished those who took life R.
You place before us life and death R.
You restore lost life R.
You nourish the aged and weak R.
You delivered Saul from David R.
You redeemed the life of David R.
You gave Solomon length of days R.
You raised the child by Elijah's cry R.
You are the Life that is the light of men R.
You are the bread of Life R.
You have the words of eternal life R.
You are the resurrection and the life R.
You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life R.