Respect Life Week is an annual tradition across the United States. Xavier students, faculty and staff come together during this week to participate in daily prayer and reflection to honor the sanctity of human life. This year’s theme for respect life week was “Moved by Mercy.”

“Respect Life Week reflects the idea that every life is valuable,” Campus Ministry director Mrs. Jody Esker said. “We show that value in our merciful acts toward others, whether that’s reaching out to someone who has an unplanned pregnancy or valuing all life from conception to natural death.”

Each day of the week, Campus Ministry planned an activity that encouraged students to reflect on what it means to respect life. On Monday, there was a morning introduction to Respect Life Week along with a prayer. Tuesday was a day of fasting. Students had the option to skip lunch as an offering of prayer for mercy. Students who wished to do so were welcomed into the chapel during lunch time. Wednesday was reflection day. Students and faculty reflected on the theme of mercy and what it means to be “Moved by Mercy.” Thursday was Dress In Black Day. Participating students were advised to wear black all day as witnesses to the lives lost to abortion and euthanasia. Students in black were to remain silent throughout the entire day. The purpose of this was to affirm the truth that many lives are lost through a lack of respect for life. Adoration was held throughout the day Friday in the chapel.

Senior Camryn Miller led a rosary each morning in the chapel before school.

“It’s something that’s deeply important to me,” Miller said. “I feel like there’s a necessity for prayer along with advocating for respect of life. That’s the first and foremost way we can begin to solve the issue.”

Baby items were also collected throughout the week to be donated to Bridgehaven and Birthright. Four hundred crosses will sit on Xavier’s front lawn for the remainder of the month as a visible reminder of the 4,000 plus lives lost to abortion daily.