The National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life is an “all about life” from the moment of conception to the natural end of life apostolate. The National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life (NBCAL) is a ministry committed to pray, proclaim, educate and stand boldly for an end to abortion, all acts of violence and evil, and all injustice that destroys the sacredness of human life. The Eucharist, the Sacrament of the Body and Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ is the center, source, and vitality of the National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life. NBCAL is supported by all the major National Black Catholic organizations in the United States.

Not all of us are called to bear children, but all of us are called by God to bring others life we have received in Christ Jesus. Therefore, the soul of this apostolate lies in the words of Jesus Christ in John’s gospel: ‘I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.’ (John 10:10).

During his leadership as President of the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus Father James E. Goode, OFM inaugurated the National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life in the fall of 1997, with the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus, National Black Sisters’ Conference and Franciscan Solid Ground Ministry as sponsors and with the support of the late John Cardinal O’Connor, Archbishop of New York and the Archdiocese’s Office of Black Ministry – Brother Tyrone A. Davis, CFC, Executive Director. Since then NBCAL Affiliates have been established through the United States of America.

National Black Catholic
Apostolate for Life
Prayer for Life

God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,
gaze upon our African American community as we pray for
an end to violence and a halt to abortion among us.
Touch our minds and hearts, and fix them on life and love.
Turn us to seek the wisdom of our ancestors.

Jesus the Giver of Life, make us a People for Life.

Bless us, so that we may pass on a legacy of your life 
and grace. Strengthen us to sacrifice ourselves for each other. 
Shower us with your grace and mercy so that we may be sources of light and hope to those less fortunate among us.

Jesus the Giver of Life, make us a People for Life.

Bless those who are sick, broken, lonely and forgotten.
Bring us all to your everlasting arms at the end of our 
 journey with a clean heart, so that we may rest in praise and
thanksgiving, joined to all who have gone before us. 
We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen! Amen! Hallelujah! Amen!

Jesus the Giver of Life, make us a People for Life.

Composed by James Paul Newson
Therese Wilson Favors & Fr. Glenn D. Parker, CSsR

Imprimatur: J. Terry Steib, SVD, Bishop of Memphis in
Tennessee, May 14, 2007

National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life
www.blackcatholicsforlife.org