St. Patrick revives Spiritual Adoption program

The Catholic Church’s Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children celebrated Jan. 22 was a fitting occasion for the Respect Life committee at St. Patrick Church in Baton Rouge to revive its Spiritual Adoption program.

The program, which asks people to sign pledge cards to pray for the end of abortion of vulnerable babies, is being held for the fourth time at St. Patrick, the most recent being in 2019 when more than 200 people signed up and $4,000 raised, money that was donated to Sanctuary for Life and the Women’s New Clinic, both in Baton Rouge.

“What we do is ask people to pray; that’s all they have to do,” said program coordinator Susan Moreau.

Participants sign a pledge card, which includes a prayer on one side, then name the baby who will be in their prayers. They agree to pray for that baby, who, of course, is unknown, and their parents for nine months. 

Moreau said people will often name their babies after family members or in some cases women who have previously had abortions will name their babies after the child they lost.

Once a month, each of the “mothers” receives an email from program organizers letting them know what stage of pregnancy the baby is in at that point. Additionally, at the first of each month posters are displayed at the church showing the progression of the babies.

“We think it is important to personalize it,” Moreau said. “I have people that say I can’t wait to sign up for (whatever name they choose). They name their baby the same name every time.”

The date of conception for their baby is considered to be the day an individual submits the pledge card.

“All we are doing is asking you to pray.” 

Susan Moreau, Spiritual Adoption Program Coordinator

At the end of nine months, in this case October, a baby shower is held that includes a cake saying “Happy Birth Day.” A baby bottle campaign is part of the shower where people are asked to make donations.

“We try to do (the shower) on donut Sunday (when donuts are offered after Mass) so that way people are used to coming on that Sunday,” Moreau said. “We invite members (of Sanctuary for Life and Women’s New Life Center) to talk, thanking (participants) for their contributions and what they plan to do with that money.”

Moreau said the goal is to end the program during the 40 Days for Life campaign.

“This is a project dear to my heart and I’m excited about bringing this back,” said Moreau, who first became involved with the parish’s Pro-Life Committee in 2011 and was the driving force in revising the program, which was originally launched in 2007. 

“It’s rewarding knowing people are going to pray and knowing how much the babies and their parents need prayer,” Moreau said. 

Her goal is to have 500 people participate, saying “we take all of the prayers we can get.”

“I kind of get discouraged because I feel not enough people participate,” Moreau added. “All we are doing is asking you to pray." We are not asking you to give gifts, money or anything. And I feel like it’s such an important issue, especially this year, we would like to see more participation.

“I’m optimistic this will be a good year.”

Anyone wishing to join the spiritual program can call the church office at 225-753-5750.