By Susan Ciancio
Throughout Respect Life Month (October)—a month dedicated to celebrating God’s gift of every human being—the Culture of Life Studies Program does something amazing. Along with the Institute for Excellence in Writing, we host a Pro-Life Essay Contest!
Specifically geared to kids in 5th-12th grade, this contest is a fantastic way for students to demonstrate their pro-life beliefs and not only win great prizes but be featured in Celebrate Life Magazine!
This year, students in 5th-8th grade are asked to think about the development of the preborn baby. They will then choose one stage of a preborn baby’s development (first trimester, second, or third), explain the development in this stage, and address three concrete ways they can help others see the humanity of the baby in this stage.
High school students are asked to think about abortion, IVF, or euthanasia and explain what it is, why it is a threat to human beings, and how, in their school or community, they will speak out against this practice, defend the vulnerable, and teach the value of every person.
We are so excited about these topics, and we cannot wait to read what your students and children want to share.
Respect for the life of all human beings—from creation to death—is vital in our culture. For decades, we have seen a deterioration of this respect; that’s why it’s up to each one of us to teach the value and sanctity of every person, no matter his ability or stage in life.
Last year, after hundreds of students submitted essays, we felt a renewed hope in the younger generation. These students get it!
They understand that we all have a responsibility to protect the vulnerable from the very first moment of creation until death.
They understand that a human being begins the moment the sperm fertilizes the egg.
They understand that those with disabilities should never be pitied, made fun of, or treated cruelly.
They understand that we must respect the elderly, give to the needy, and love the unloved.
They understand all these things because their parents and teachers have taught them well.
But the culture of death never stops telling lies, so we must never stop speaking the truth. The culture of death relentlessly attacks our children from morning until night—on social media, in songs, and even in their classrooms. Having a child who is pro-life at age ten doesn’t mean that same child will be pro-life at thirteen or sixteen or as an adult. That’s why it’s our responsibility as parents and teachers to consistently teach our children the truth, to keep discussing the reality of abortion, euthanasia, IVF, and other threats to life, and to always teach them the tenets of our faith. We must do so because it is our job to get them to heaven and help them become saints.
Our kids will not become saints if they fall prey to a culture that rejoices at the killing of babies before birth, if they persist in their belief that a woman can do what she wants with the baby when she’s pregnant, and if they think it’s acceptable to put a sick or elderly person in a death pod and allow them to press a button to inhale a deadly gas.
These misguided beliefs lead only to anguish and sadness, and they lead us away from God.
We know that the 5th Commandment says “Thou shall not kill.” Respecting life means living according to this commandment. But it’s more than just not taking someone’s life. It means respecting all people, no matter how young or old, and no matter his ability. And that respect includes compassion, support, and love.
Only when our children understand this and live according to these teachings will we truly have a culture of life.
So as we celebrate Respect Life Month, encourage your children to seek the truth, to learn more about pro-life topics, and to enter our contest. Spending time thinking about these threats to life and then articulating their thoughts in an essay is a beautiful way for students to witness the sanctity of life. And when they truly understand and believe that they have a responsibility to protect all human beings, they will be one step closer to hearing those words we all long to hear: “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
