#MobilizeMercy, Oct. 1-9: Novena to End the Death Penalty

Pope Francis’ invitation to pray for the abolition of the death penalty throughout the month of September brings us straight into Respect Life Month which is celebrated in October. CMN invites you to continue the Holy Father’s invitation of prayer through the beginning of Respect Life Month by praying the Novena to End the Death Penalty. The Novena will begin on October 1 and conclude on October 9, the day before World Day Against the Death Penalty.

And please join us on World Day Against the Death penalty for the program: The Death Penalty from a Faith Perspective Oct. 10, 6:30-8 p.m. central time In-person and Zoom options What does the church teach about the death penalty? What do you believe? Using personal histories, scripture, the Catechism and social science, Fr. Mark Miller, CPPS, will guide us through the church’s evolving understanding of the death penalty. Register Here.

Additional Resources available from Catholic Mobilizing Network (all available at catholicsmobilizing.org/mobilize-mercy):

• Pope Francis’ Prayer: Video |  English Transcript
• Suggested Social Media Posts (In English and Spanish)
• Pope Francis Prayer Quotes graphics: In English | In Spanish
• Pledge to Pray with Pope Francis graphics: In English |  In Spanish
• Status of the Death Penalty (PDFs): US Stats in English | US Stats in Spanish |  World Stats
• Death Penalty Facts graphics (great for Respect Life Month): English | Spanish
• Novena to the End the Death Penalty (Oct. 1-9): All English Graphics |  All Spanish Graphics
• World Day to End the Death Penalty (Oct. 10): In English |  In Spanish

Novena to End the Death Penalty

Day One — Oct 1, 2023

We pray for those who have been executed by the state. May our merciful God welcome them to their eternal home, and may we honor them with a desire for true justice. May the abolition of the death penalty in this country — and globally — honor the memory of all who have died by violent means.

Day Two — Oct 2, 2023

We pray for victims of violence and their families. May they experience our love and support and find comfort in God’s Divine Mercy. We know that the death penalty does not serve the victim, but rather perpetuates cycles of violence. Let us uplift restorative approaches to justice that create opportunities for healing.

Day Three — Oct 3, 2023

We pray for those on death row and their families. May their lives be spared, may the innocent be freed and may the guilty find salvation through repentance. May they find healing and comfort in God’s Divine Mercy.

Day Four — Oct 4, 2023

We pray for those who guard and care for the inmates on death row and for those who participate in executions. May they recognize that God loves each person, unconditionally, and may they know their role in bringing God’s merciful justice to the incarcerated.

Day Five — Oct 5, 2023

We pray for our communities disproportionately impacted by capital punishment, which perpetuates violence and harm. May we come to a deeper understanding of the pain experienced by our sisters and brothers and recognize our common desire to live in peace.

Day Six — Oct 6, 2023

We pray for judges, juries, parole boards and others who make life and death decisions. May their decisions be rooted in a belief in a merciful God who treasures each human life and who desires all to be saved for eternal life.

Day Seven — Oct 7, 2023

We pray for those who are innocent, wrongly convicted, and the mentally ill who are on death row. May they find healing and comfort in God’s Divine Mercy. May our hearts burn with justice and compassion for out brothers and sisters.

Day Eight — Oct 8, 2023

We pray for our legislators and other elected officials who create laws and regulations for the criminal legal system. May they be motivated to serve the common good and stop “killing in our names.”

Day Nine — Oct 9, 2023

We pray for all people of goodwill, including each of us. May we have the fortitude and courage to continue seeking abolition of the death penalty, and may we be guided by our compassionate Father to build a society that truly chooses life in all situations.

World Day Against the Death Penalty — Oct 10, 2023

The World Day Against the Death Penalty, celebrated every October 10, unifies the world abolitionist movement and mobilizes civil society, public opinion, political leaders, lawyers, etc., in order to support the call to the universal abolition of capital punishment.

Together we can end the death penalty.