By Susan Ciancio
What if your child could write an essay that would change the way someone thinks? What if your child’s words could make a profound impact on just one person? What if the very act of writing his thoughts and beliefs could give your child the courage he needs to go out into the world, teach the truth about the sanctity of life, and change hearts and minds?
These are the goals of the Culture of Life Studies Program’s Pro-Life Essay Contest—an annual contest, cosponsored by the Institute for Excellence in Writing, for kids in middle and high school held each year during Respect Life Month and the weeks leading up to it.
Last year, we saw a huge surge in participation, and we received nearly 500 entries. Essays arrived from Catholic and private schools throughout the country, from homeschool families, from CCE instructors, and even from kids in public schools. It was the largest response that we have had in the 12 years of CLSP’s existence, and we were beyond thrilled! This year, we hope to see even greater participation.
What does the contest entail?
The contest, which this year runs now through November 7, gives students an amazing opportunity to think about threats to life and how they would handle them. This is so crucial in today’s world, as students often face criticism and are silenced when they don’t conform to a secular worldview.
Prompts this year ask middle school students to reflect upon the words of St. John Paul II in Evangelium Vitae and ask high schoolers to reflect upon the words of Dr. Jerome Lejeune, the geneticist who found the cause of Down syndrome. Students will then contemplate the implications and the real-world application of these statements, formulate an argument, and write a 500-word essay expressing their beliefs.
We run this contest yearly throughout Respect Life Month because it just makes sense, as it’s a time of year when we celebrate so much in our faith, from the rosary to Mary to St. Therese of Lisieux to St. Francis to St. John Paul II and more. This six-week period is a time to truly reflect upon what we can all do to build a culture of life.
Building virtue
Last year, a director of religious education sent me a personal message that accompanied a young boy’s essay. She explained that he had faced numerous health challenges and had been routinely made fun of and bullied by kids in school because of these health problems. Yet she said he let his faith guide his responses; she described him as a kind and gentle child who always kept a positive attitude, never seeking vengeance and only wanting to pray for the boys picking on him. His essay was a beautiful reflection of the kindness he strives to live every day, and he explained that he cares only about shining Christ’s light to people and living the faith taught by his parents and teachers.
These are the lessons we try to impart to children of all ages through both our contest and our booklets. We want kids to understand and learn about God’s laws and to feel comfortable with making countercultural choices at home, on the ball field, in school, and with friends. But even more so, we hope to help instill courage and compassion, and we want to increase their knowledge so that they can articulate their beliefs and evangelize to others. We do this by using examples from holy men and women, stories from the Bible, the words of Christ, papal encyclicals, and mental and spiritual exercises to foster their growth. Our materials help parents strengthen their children’s resolve to live their faith openly and proudly.
The more children write their thoughts and share their beliefs and advice, the stronger in their faith they will become. And the more children research our faith, the more they learn to express themselves, solidifying the foundation that their teachers and parents created.
Because we publish the winning essays on social media and online, students have the opportunity to impact the world. Their words could literally reach anyone.
Christ told His disciples, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.” This is a charge we must all take to heart. If we are going to change hearts and minds, we must work to reach those who need to hear the truth. This starts at home, and the essay contest is the perfect opportunity for kids to learn to build confidence and courage when defending their faith.
Our contest is now open and runs until November 7. Visit prolifeessay.com for prompts and prizes.