Spiritual Adoption 2022-2023

Join us as we:

Share in prayer for parents who are expecting a child.
Learn and educate others about the development of the preborn child.
Provide mothers in need with a “Baby Shower” of donated baby gifts.

Do you want to spiritually adopt a baby? It’s not too late!
Visit the Respect Life Committee tables at St. Peter on October 8 & 9 for more information.
Or you can contact us below.

Did you spiritually adopt a baby? Click here to see how your baby is growing!

The Spiritual Adoption
of an Unborn Child

St. Peter's
Spiritual Adoption Program

Almost 50 years ago , in 1973, a court decision was rendered which legalized abortion throughout the entire nine months of pregnancy. This decision, Roe v. Wade, is the reason over 1 million abortions have been committed in the U.S. each year.

To help stop the anti-life push around the world, the late Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen encouraged the spiritual adoption of an unborn child. This is done by praying that the life of one particular, but unknown child, whom you name, will be spared abortion and be allowed to continue to live.

To help accomplish this, it was recommended an individual say the following daily prayer for a period of nine months:

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I love you very much.
I beg you to spare the life of [baby’s name], the unborn baby that I have spiritually adopted who is in danger of abortion.

Prayer of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

Your prayers CAN make a difference between whether a baby will be born…or aborted. Our prayers can also be a form of spiritual support for both parents.

Please share the love of life given to you by the Lord of all life and join in spiritually adopting a baby.

In honor of our Blessed Mother’s Nativity on September 8, the Respect Life Committee will begin a Spiritual Adoption Program on the weekend of September 10/11, 2022. The members of St Peter’s parish family will have the opportunity to “spiritually” adopt a child who is newly conceived this month. Not all newly conceived babies are allowed to be born. In fact, more than 4,000 babies lose their lives to abortion each day. It is these babies we are asking you to “adopt” and pray for.

At the end of each Mass that weekend, there will be tables in the Narthex and Chapel. Our team members will be handing out prayer cards and other literature.

It is suggested that you name your “adopted” child for whom you will be praying, thereby giving the baby the humanity he or she deserves.

You will be asked to pray daily for your unborn child and all unborn children, for the power of prayer is great. In addition, each month for the next nine months, tables will again be set up in the Narthex and Chapel with information on your child’s development.

Along with all this, each month a representative from a local crisis pregnancy center will be available to give information on their agency and the services they offer to young moms.

At the end of nine months which will be Fathers Day in the month of June, a “baby shower” will be held to honor these babies. “Gifts” received will be given to the Birthright of Coatesville.

There are millions of unborn babies and their moms desperately in need of your prayers. Won’t you please “spiritually adopt” one and share the love for life that God has given you?

The First Nine Months
Watch Me Grow!

Monthly Fetal Development Progess

Day 1

At the moment the father’s sperm and mother’s egg unite a new and unrepeatable human being comes into existence, complete with his own unique set of DNA. Although she is only one cell, everything about this little
person is already present: color of eyes, blood type, the height she will grow to be, color of hair – everything! She will play a role in her family and her community – a role only she can play! Nothing is added after conception to
make her a complete human being. She already exists; all she needs is nourishment, a safe, warm environment, and most of all – love. Her parents don’t even know she exists yet. Pray for them to safely bring their baby to
birth so she can fulfill the mission God has for her.

Month 1

Your spiritually adopted baby has been quite active over the past month. Already your baby is 10,000 times bigger than at conception. Your baby has developed the foundations of his brain, spinal cord, and nervous system by the 20th day. His heart began to beat on the 21st day, pumping blood through its own circulatory system and the blood type can be different from his mother’s. Your baby is most vulnerable during the next month of being aborted. Pray that the Lord of Life might move the heart of his mother to give him the most precious gift of all -- the gift of life.

Month 2

Hi Everyone! Thanks for continuing to pray for me during this Spiritual Adoption program! I’m now two months old and I am spending my time growing and refining my body. By the end of this month my mommy will be able to hear my heartbeat through a stethoscope. (Hi Mom!)

Here are the Pro-life rosary meditations from Pro-Life Leader Frank Pavone for the Sorrowful Mysteries:

The Agony in the Garden-Let us pray for mothers and fathers who are in agony because they are tempted to abort a child. May they be given the good news that there are alternatives, and may they make use of the help that is available.

The Scourging-As Christ’s flesh was torn by the instruments of those who scourged Him, so the bodies of babies in the womb are torn by the instruments of the abortionists. Let us pray that abortionists may repent of these acts of child-killing.

The Crowning of Thorns-Jesus suffered the pain of thorns in His head, and did so silently. We pray for the mothers and fathers of aborted children. So many of them suffer deep grief and regret over a choice they can never reverse, So many suffer in silence, because others tell them it’s no big deal.

The Carrying of the Cross-Jesus was not condemned by the power of wicked people. He was condemned because of the silence of good people. Silence always helps the oppressor, never the victim. Let us pray that we may never be silent about abortion, but rather will clearly speak up to save babies from death.

The Crucifixion-As we ponder the death of Christ, let us remember the many women who have died from so-called “safe, legal” abortions. Let us ask forgiveness and mercy for them. May their memory save other women from making this tragic mistake.

Month 3

Hi Everyone! Thanks for your continued prayers for all of us babies in the womb.

This month I am very busy as my body will soon be fully formed. I can even use some of my parts already! All my limbs and organs will be present by the end of this month and then I will be concentrating on getting them all developed and in good running order! Please KEEP PRAYING FOR ME!

The pro-life rosary meditations from Frank Pavone for this month are The Luminous Mysteries:

Christ is Baptized in The Jordan River-When Jesus is baptized, the Father’s voice is heard: “This is my beloved Son.” All are called to become adopted sons and daughters of God through baptism. We pray that children in the womb may be protected, so that they may be born and welcomed into the Christian community by baptism.

Christ is made known at the Wedding of Cana-Jesus revealed His glory by the miracle at Cana. The new couple was blessed not only with wine, but with faith in Christ. Let us pray for strong marriages, rooted in the Lord, and open to the gift of new life.

Christ proclaims the Kingdom and Calls All to Conversion-“Repent and believe the Good News.” Let us pray that these first words of Jesus’ public ministry may be heard by all who have committed abortion. May they know that the Lord calls them to conversion, and may they experience life-giving repentance.

The Transfiguration-Christ is transformed on the mountain, and the disciples see His glory. May the eyes of all people be transformed, that they may see each and every human life as a reflection of the glory of God Himself.

Jesus gives us the Eucharist-“This is My Body, given up for you.” The Eucharist teaches us how to live and how to love. Let us pray that parents who sacrifice the babies for the sake of themselves may learn instead to put themselves aside for the sake of their bab

Month 4

Welcome to the second trimester! My fingers and toes are well defined and my eyelids, eyebrows, eyelashes, and nails are formed. My teeth and bones are becoming more dense. I can even stretch, yawn and make faces! Remember to keep praying for me!!

Frank Pavone’s pro-life meditations for the Glorious Mysteries:

The Resurrection-Christ is Risen! By His Resurrection, He has destroyed the power of death, and therefore the power of abortion. The outcome of the battle for Life has already been decided: Life is victorious! Let us pray that all pro-lifers will spread this victory to every segment of our society.

The Ascension-By ascending to the Father’s throne, Christ takes our human nature, given to us in the womb, to the heights of heaven. He shows us that human beings are made to be raised to heaven, not thrown in the garbage. Let us pray that the world may learn this truth and reject abortion.

The Descent of the Holy Spirit-The Holy Spirit is the Advocate: He pleads our cause, for we cannot save ourselves. We pray that He will make us advocates for the babies, Who cannot speak or write or vote or protest or even pray.

The Assumption-The Blessed Virgin Mary was taken body and soul into heaven because she is the Mother of God. Mother and child are united. The Assumption reminds us that they belong together. We pray that society will see that it cannot love women while killing their children, and cannot save children without helping their mothers. We pray that people will be touched by the pro-life question, “Why can’t we love them both?”

The Coronation-Mary is Queen of the Universe. The Church teaches that she is the greatest creature, second only to God Himself. The Church defends the dignity of women. We pray that people will understand that to be pro-life means to be pro-women, and that to be pro-women demands that we be pro-life.

Month 5

During this month our babies are developing muscles and exercising them, their moms will begin to feel these movements. Hair begins to grow on their heads and their shoulders, back and temples are covered by a soft fine hair called lanugo. This hair protects the baby’s skin.

A Prayer for Pregnant Mothers*

O Blessed Mother, you received the good news of the incarnation of Christ, your son, with faith and trust. Grant your protection to all pregnant mothers facing difficulties.

Guide us as we strive to make our parish communities places of welcome and assistance for mothers in need. Help us become instruments of God’s love and compassion.

Mary, Mother of the Church, graciously help us build a culture of life and a civilization of love, together with all people of good will, to the praise and glory of God, the Creator and lover of life.

Amen

*from USCCB

Month 6

Hi Everyone! I’m continuing to grow and am getting bigger by the minute. My skin is very wrinkled and reddish in color and because it’s very translucent you can see many of my tiny veins under it. My finger and toe prints are visible. During this time of growth my eyelids begin to part and open.

I can hear loud noises and I will respond by moving or my heart rate may increase. Also, my Mom can feel me when I hiccup!

By the end of this month I will weigh about 2 pounds!

Thanks for your continued prayers!!

Prayer to St Joseph, Protector of the Unborn

O Holy Joseph, protector and provider of the Holy Family and all families, through your intercession may God grant all expectant mothers the grace to cherish the new life within their wombs.

May mothers and fathers realize that their baby is a gift from God and have the courage to choose life for their child. Through the Mystery of Baptism may the parents and newborns become children of God and heirs to eternal life in Christ.

Amen

Month 7

Hello again, Everyone! As my body continues to mature I am developing reserves of body fat. I move around a lot and I especially love to hear my Mommy’s voice. By the end of this month I will weigh about 4 pounds. Thank for your many prayers. I can’t wait to meet all of you soon.

Beginning this month the baby uses four senses. His eyelids open and close and the eyes look around. The baby can taste, touch, cough, yawn and hiccup. He now recognizes his own mother's voice and responds when her voices reaches his ears. His grip is even stronger now than it will be after his birth.

The hair on his head is growing longer and the downy covering on the rest of his body is disappearing. During this time the baby will receive antibodies from his mother providing him immunity to a wide variety of diseases.

Prayer from USCCB’s Pro-Life Stations of the Cross:

Your tomb, Lord Jesus, was not an end. In the glory of the paschal morning your empty tomb stood testament to your glorious destruction of sin and death. Destroy the culture of death, O Lord: Obliterate it in the light of your risen glory, that all who live and breathe might give you glory and celebrate the miracle of the life they have received from you. For you are Lord, forever and ever.

Amen

Month 8

Happy Mother’s Day, Mommy!!!!

The role of a mother is essential in every way. It is life-giving and requires tremendous amounts of sacrifice and selfless love. To create and nurture a child is the most important job on earth.

Here’s what Venerable Jozsef Cardinal Mindszenty has to say about mothers:

The Most Important Person on earth is a mother. She cannot claim the honor of having built Notre Dame Cathedral. She need not. She has built something more magnificent than any cathedral-a dwelling for an immortal soul, the tiny perfection of her baby’s body...The an- gels have not been blessed with such a grace. They cannot share in God’s cre- ative miracle to bring new saints to Heaven. Only a human mother can. Mothers are closer to God the Creator than any other creature; God joins forces with mothers in performing this act of creation...What on God’s good earth is more glorious than this: to be a mother?

For mothers - whose service often goes unnoticed and unappreciated - those words are powerful. Your role is glorious, it is magnificent, it is vital. And it is your path to Heaven.