respect life

spiritual adoption

Spiritual Adoption

What is the Spiritual Adoption Program?

It is very simple. Participants in the Spiritual Adoption Program pledge to pray for nine months for a baby in danger of abortion. While this child will remain unknown to his or her 'spiritual parent', God knows who the child is. Many people have found that naming 'their child' helps to keep them focused on the reality that their prayers are helping to save a particular baby from the harm of abortion.

The Purpose of the Spiritual Adoption Program is threefold:

  1. Encourage schools and other communities to pray for babies in danger of abortion.
  2. Educate adults and children about the development of the pre-born child.
  3. Provide mothers in need with assistance at a 'baby shower' of donated baby gifts, or simply celebrate with a 'birthday party' at the conclusion of the program. In some schools a crib was bought with monetary gifts and the children filled a crib with gifts for expectant Mothers.

How does the program work and how can my group get started?

At the beginning of the program a brief announcement asking the students to pray is made, preferably by the principal, at school. If desired, prayer cards can be distributed to all involved in the program. It is advisable to have the children give their baby a name. The prayer can be recited each morning before beginning class. For the following nine months (or a period of time that fits into the school year) one poster is displayed per month in a prominent place so everyone can see how 'his or her baby' is developing.

The "Thank-you" file on the resources page contains "thank-you notes" from the baby each month. These can be copied onto colorful paper pre-printed with a baby or children's theme (or brightly colored plain paper) and posted on the bulletin board next to the Little One Sweet poster. At the end of the program a 'baby shower' or 'birthday party' can be held and gifts of baby items donated given to a local pregnancy center. This is a great project for Catholic Confirmation preparation classes as it involves prayer, education and community service.

Who can participate?

Church members, students, prayer groups and anyone who is concerned about abortion, and who is willing to pray for babies in danger of abortion, "that they might have life and have it to the full." (John 10:10)

Who benefits from the Spiritual Adoption Program?

Everyone! While it is not always possible to see the particular effects of prayer, we know through Scripture that God wants us to pray, and we know by faith that He answers all prayers. The educational aspect of the program is beneficial to people of all ages, including children. Churches and schools are encouraged to display the very gentle and appealing full color posters that both depict and describe in words the baby's development each month. There is no mention of abortion on the posters. Some schools obtain enough sets of posters for each classroom and/or entrance or exit to the school.

Where can additional posters and precious feet pins be purchased?

The posters series is available for order online from the Respect Life Office. Visit our online form, or for questions email life@archbalt.org . Phone: 410-547-5537 The posters and precious feet pins (or precious hand pins) can also be ordered through the Heritage House Catalog: 919 S. Main Street, Snowflake, AZ 85937. Phone: 1-800-858-3040 Fax: 1-928-536-7785. Heritage House also has an online catalog: www.heritagehouse76.com

Prayer Cards

For older children or parishes, we suggest using prayer cards, which Mr. Arthur Maes of Denver, Colorado prints and distributes at his own expense relying on donations to continue his ministry. We also suggest that you send him a minimum of six cents per card ordered, plus something for shipping. The card has a lovely full color image of Our Lady of Guadalupe on the front, a brief description of the program and the short prayer composed by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen on the reverse. His mailing address is: 11142 Osage Street, Northglenn, CO 80234 . Phone: 720.977.9150

Resources

Prayer Cards

Both sets of prayer cards are available in Adobe Acrobat Format

Thank You Notes

The sample thank you notes are available in both English and Spanish. Each link will open an Adobe Acrobat document.

Program Materials

Developmental Posters in English and Spanish

View posters online:

Order posters