“The first and most fundamental of all human rights is the right to life, and when this right is denied all other rights are threatened … A society will be judged on the basis of how it treats its weakest members; and among the most vulnerable are surely the unborn and the dying.”

 Sadly, our culture often pits a mother against her children, portraying a false “either/or” choice between her children and her dreams. Inaccurate messages spread the idea that a woman’s life is “over” once she becomes a mother. But we know that countless young mothers have become unexpectedly pregnant and have continued to pursue education. And arguably, they do so not in spite of their children, but because of their children. Even if things don’t go exactly according to plan— timelines may shift, and dreams may change—the twists and turns can bring unexpected joy, purpose, and growth. In The Gospel of Life, Pope St. John Paul II commends “brave mothers… who are ready to make any effort, to face any sacrifice, in order to pass on to [their children] the best of themselves” (EV 86). As members of the Body of Christ, we have a responsibility to help mothers do just that. And there are simple ways we can help mothers who desire to pursue educational achievements. We can offer to babysit or do the grocery shopping, so a mom has time to attend an evening class or study for an exam. We can advocate for colleges and universities to provide flexibility for parenting students. We can do these and so many other things. Most importantly, we can pray for mothers to be given the grace and the support they need, and for the wisdom to know how we can help. 

You can learn more by seeing the Walking with Mothers in Need Prayer Guide for September from the USCCB