Five Simple Steps for Life

Jan. 1, 2024

Knights and their families can bear effective witness to the sanctity of life in several key ways

By Brian Caulfield

Jan. 1, 2024

Knights and their families join a march in support of women and life in Monterrey, Mexico, on Oct. 7. (Photo by Carlos Elizondo)

If the historic overruling of the infamous Roe v. Wade U.S. Supreme Court decision means anything, it is a clarion call to work even harder on the local level to stop abortion and to assist women facing crisis pregnancies. With the 2022 Dobbs decision, abortion is no longer the court-enforced law of the land, and pro-life energy must focus on the state and local level, where laws favoring life or abortion are being proposed and passed.

This is the time for every Knight of Columbus to get involved and make a stand for the innocent unborn and their mothers, stepping up to advocate and vote for better laws, and help abortion-vulnerable women in whatever way we can. We also need to keep our eyes on the long-term goal of changing hearts and minds so that abortion becomes unthinkable. And every effort must be supported by prayer and sacrifice; without praying and offering our time and resources for the cause, we will make little progress.

Here are five ways you can help bring about a culture of life right where you live:

Support the Ultrasound Initiative. The Order’s premier pro-life program helps qualifying pregnancy resource centers and pro-life medical clinics offer a “window to the womb.” Studies show that once a woman sees her unborn child on the ultrasound screen, she is much more likely to choose life for her baby. Under the Knights’ initiative, local councils fundraise half the cost of a new ultrasound machine, and the other half is provided by the Supreme Council’s Culture of Life Fund. Since the program started in 2009, nearly 1,800 ultrasound machines have been placed in pregnancy centers in all 50 U.S. states, four Canadian provinces, Mexico, the Philippines and elsewhere, saving many thousands of lives each year.

Volunteer. An important front line in the battle for life is in your local pregnancy resource center or maternity home. Most of these are run by a small staff on a tight budget and rely on volunteers for answering phones, opening mail, sorting donations and keeping the place neat and clean. Of course, these centers can also use funds, so your council would do a world of good by holding an annual fundraiser in your parish or community. Through the ASAP (Aid and Support After Pregnancy) program, the Supreme Council will boost that donation, up to $2,000, by 20%.

Pray where it counts. A modern-day Calvary may be located near you — that is, a local abortion facility where unborn babies are killed. Find out if there is one in your community and if a local pro-life group holds peaceful, prayerful vigils there for the sake of the mothers and their children. If there is no such prayer group in your area, you may want to start one with the members of your council or parish. Consider also participating in 40 Days for Life, an international initiative that organizes prayer vigils at abortion facilities throughout the world, often during Lent.

Exercise faithful citizenship. In their November 2023 meeting, the U.S. bishops once again identified abortion as the “preeminent priority” of concern in their guidance for Catholics in the public square. With each state legislature now free to pass laws restricting or expanding abortion access, your voice at the local level is more important than ever. Find out what bills are being raised, offer encouragement to pro-life legislators, write letters, make phone calls, and sign petitions that pro-life groups may be circulating. Make your voice for life heard in a calm yet consistent manner. The truth is on our side.

Bring it all home. All things considered, the most important thing you can do is to build a culture of life and love in your own family. Life begins at home, and the next generation is growing up right under our roofs or in the homes of our children. Honor your wife, and give thanks to God for the gift of your children and grandchildren. Be a joyful witness to the beauty of all human life.

*****

BRIAN CAULFIELD is vice postulator of the cause for canonization of Blessed Michael McGivney and past grand knight of Holy Family Council 8882 in New Haven, Conn.

Chana Gaskins and her three children enjoy some time playing outside.

Five Simple Steps for Life

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