"Nascent" - means "beginning to exist or develop". Therefore, nascent human lives are 100% actual human lives, 100% precious to God, and 100% deserving of our respect. They are already growing, already beginning to fulfill His plan for them. The Church calls us, in her supplications, to interecede for them:
Protection from the moment of conception; Protection from destruction in embryonic research labs and IVF clinics; Protection from unjust laws and misguided politicians.
Further the Church prays:
For the enlightment of our minds to see the dignity of every human life from its embryonic beginning; For parents of unborn children with disabilities to cherish the child entrusted to their care; For doctors to be guardians of life, especially the lives of unborn children with health disabilities.
As we enter into the Advent Season, preparing for coming of the Lord Jesus, we unite ourselves with Mary who was - with God the Father - the sole protector of the Nascent Baby Jesus. United with her, the United States Council of Catholic Bishops has placed the following prayer on the lips of the faithful. Let us pray:
Prayer of Pope John Paul II
O Mary, bright dawn of the new world,
Mother of the living,
to you do we entrust the cause of life
Look down, O Mother,
upon the vast numbers
of babies not allowed to be born,
of the poor whose lives are made difficult,
of men and women
who are victims of brutal violence,
of the elderly and the sick killed
by indifference or out of misguided mercy.
Mother of the living,
to you do we entrust the cause of life
Look down, O Mother,
upon the vast numbers
of babies not allowed to be born,
of the poor whose lives are made difficult,
of men and women
who are victims of brutal violence,
of the elderly and the sick killed
by indifference or out of misguided mercy.
Grant that all who believe in your Son
may proclaim the Gospel of life
with honesty and love
to the people of our time.
may proclaim the Gospel of life
with honesty and love
to the people of our time.
Obtain for them the grace
to accept that Gospel
as a gift ever new,
the joy of celebrating it with gratitude
throughout their lives
and the courage to bear witness to it
to accept that Gospel
as a gift ever new,
the joy of celebrating it with gratitude
throughout their lives
and the courage to bear witness to it
with all people of good will,
resolutely, in order to build,
together the civilization of truth and love,
to the praise and glory of God,
the Creator and lover of life.
together the civilization of truth and love,
to the praise and glory of God,
the Creator and lover of life.
-Evangelium Vitae, 105
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