# Novena to the Immaculate Conception – Day 5
*2008-12-02*

> Bill Young leads the fifth day of the novena honoring the Immaculate Conception, praying the Apostles’ Creed, reflecting on John 1, and offering a prayer of Pope John Paul II for the protection of life.

## Opening and the Apostles’ Creed

Good morning, I’m Bill Young. Let us begin in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

We now pray the Apostles’ Creed:
“I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.”

## Scriptural Reflection: John 1

Our theme for today comes from the prologue of John’s Gospel. The Word was with God from the beginning, was seen, heard, and touched by us. Through the Word, life became visible. We proclaim what we have seen and heard so that others may share in this life, a life shared with the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. John 1:1‑4 reminds us that the Word is the source of all life.

We respond with the traditional Marian antiphon:
“Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”

## Meditation on Mary as Mother of Life

The Immaculate Virgin, by her “yes” to God, inaugurated a new life manifested in Christ. Through her, life entered our world and triumphs over death. Mary is the mother of all who are called to this new life. Her perfect acceptance and care for the Word made flesh model for us how to receive and protect life—not only the physical body but the soul as well. To truly live is to live in God’s grace, dedicating ourselves to the dignity and salvation of every human person.

## Prayer of Pope John Paul II for the Protection of Life

O Mary, Dawn of the New World, Mother of the Living, we entrust to you the cause of life. Look, O Mother, upon the countless children whose births are impeded, the poor for whom survival is difficult, the men and women who fall victim to violence, the elderly and the sick who are killed out of indifference or false pity. May all who believe in the Gospel proclaim the “gospel of life” with truth and love. Grant them the grace to welcome each new life as a gift, to bear witness with courage, and to build together a society of truth and love that glorifies God, the Creator and Lover of life. Amen.

*Through Mary’s example we are called to protect and cherish every human life as a gift of God.*