Defending the Unborn: Jesus Youth Marks International Day of the Unborn Child

March 25, 2025 – On the occasion of the International Day of the Unborn Child, Jesus Youth International has reaffirmed its commitment to defending the sanctity of life from conception. This annual observance, held in conjunction with the Feast of the Annunciation, was first officially recognized in Argentina in 1999 under the leadership of Pope St. John Paul II. It serves as a dual reminder—celebrating the dignity of life and mourning the loss of unborn children to abortion.

Speaking on the significance of this day, Midhun Paul, International Coordinator of Jesus Youth, stated, “The Holy Father linked this day to the Feast of the Annunciation to honor the moment when God became incarnate as an unborn child in the womb of Our Blessed Mother. It is a call to recognize the value and dignity of every human life.”

Pope Francis has repeatedly emphasized the need to protect life in all its stages. In his words, “Let us respect and love human life, especially vulnerable life in a mother’s womb.” He has also warned against a culture that disregards life, stating, “It is troubling to see how simple and convenient it has become for some to suppress human life.”

As part of its global Pro-Life mission, Jesus Youth is urging individuals to participate in Spiritual Adoption prayers through the Army for Life app, which is available on both the Play Store (link https://tinyurl.com/armyforlife) and App Store (link https://tinyurl.com/army4life). This initiative encourages prayer for the protection of unborn children and offers support for expectant mothers facing difficult circumstances.

In a bid to further strengthen Pro-Life efforts, the Jesus Youth Pro-Life Ministry of India has curated a set of resource materials designed to equip individuals and communities with the knowledge to conduct Pro-Life sessions. These resources cater to teens, youth, pre-marriage, and post-marriage audiences, while also providing guidance on establishing Pro-Life ministries in various countries. Those interested in accessing these materials or receiving online training can visit: JY Pro-Life Resource Materials. https://tinyurl.com/JYProLifeResource

Midhun Paul called on Jesus Youth members and supporters worldwide to join hands in prayer and action. “May God bless and protect all unborn children and those committed to this mission of life and soul-saving,” he said. Pope Francis further reminds us, “Defending unborn life is closely linked to the defense of every other human right.”

For further engagement and information on Pro-Life initiatives, Jesus Youth encourage communities to utilize the available resources and participate in the prayer programs.