Top Ten Reads for Respect Life Month
October begins Respect Life Month throughout many Catholic dioceses. It is a time to be
reminded about how fragile life is and how it is made in the image of God. It is our duty to
defend life from womb to tomb.
What better way to learn about the pro-life message than to read the accounts of pro-
lifers. Some were a part of the culture of death and in time became pro-life advocates. Others
share their pro-life work over the years.
1) Persuasive Pro-Life Trent Horn
Published in 2014 and using his first-hand experience during campus visits,
Catholic Answers’ own Trent Horn shares firsthand some of the dos and don’ts in engaging and challenging pro-choice’s viewpoints.
2) Unplanned-Abby Johnson
Once a rising star for Planned Parenthood, Abby Johnson saw firsthand a defenseless life being
killed by an ultrasound-guided abortion in 2009. She recalled the times she saw volunteers for 40
Days for Life pray in front of her work at Bryan, TX. It would soon lead her to be a pro-life
advocate and a Catholic convert.
3) Single Candles-Brendan Lyons
West Chester, PA native Brendan Lyons writes a series of narratives from a chain of events that
link several characters, all of whom demonstrate compassion and bravery in their commitment to
the sanctity of life. In one piece, a senator defies his own political party; in another, a neonatal
surgeon is asked to compromise her principles. Although the stories are fictional, the passion that
informs the characters’ conviction is very real.
4) Rising with Roses-Monique Ruberu
Dr. Monique Ruberu thought she was pro-life until she realized that she was prescribed birth
control. Because of the help of many pro-lifers in Philadelphia, she reverted to her Catholic faith
and now promotes Natural Family Planning and coordinates two 40 Days for Life campaigns in
Philadelphia.
5) A Voice for Victoria: A memoir of healing from post-abortion trauma- Geraldine F Jacobs
A Voice for Victoria shares the author's journey toward understanding how childhood messages
and current events played a part in her abortion decision and path to healing from post-abortion
trauma through God’s forgiveness.
6) The Future of Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia Neil Gorsuch
Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch thoroughly assesses the strengths and weaknesses of
leading contemporary ethical arguments for assisted suicide and euthanasia. He would argue
against the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide while using Netherlands and Oregon as
prime examples.
7) Johnny Got His Gun Dalton Trumbo
This anti-war novel, written in 1938, shares how a WWI soldier who wakes up from his hospital
bed with no limbs and half destroyed face. After his wishes of showing the country of the horrors
of wars, he reflects on the realities and myths of war.
8) All Quiet on the Western Front- Erich Maria Remarque
A German veteran of WW1 recounts the physical and mental stress while fighting in the war. It
also shares how to detach from civilian life they were following the war’s end.
9) Racketeer For Life Joe Scheidler
A former monk recalls his early involvement in the pro-life movement. He has debated media
personalities, politicians, abortion workers, and even fought the culture of death at the Supreme
Court.
10) Gosnell: The Untold Story of America's Most Prolific Serial Killer- Ann McElhinney
Ann McElhinney details everything that happens inside of Kermit Gosnell’s house of horrors in
the Mantua neighborhood of West Philadelphia. Even advocates on both sides were horrified at
the heinous committed by the most notorious serial killer of the abortion industry.
Don’t worry! They’ll be another list to come. This is only the beginning
Guest Writer Bio:
Mickey Kelly is a 32-year-old 4th-degree Knight of Columbus from Philadelphia, PA. He has been involved with pro-life work since his first trip to the March for Life in 2009. When he is not busy building a culture of life, you can find him doing ballroom dancing, traveling, watching sports or historic documentaries, writing a potential best-seller, or spending time with family and friends.