On March 25, Catholics around the world celebrate the solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, which also marks the International Day of the Unborn Child in more than a dozen countries. This day, which originated in Argentina, highlights the sanctity of unborn life and calls attention to the importance of defending the rights of the unborn.
The Origin of the Celebration
The roots of the International Day of the Unborn Child can be traced back to a pivotal meeting between St. John Paul II and the then-President of Argentina, Carlos Saúl Menem, on November 13, 1998, in Rome. During their private audience, President Menem proposed the idea of establishing a national day to honor the unborn. “Menem had expressed his intention to create this special date during his meeting with Pope John Paul II last November,” reported the Argentine newspaper La Nación in December 1998.
The significance of the date March 25 was highlighted by the Holy Father during his homily in the Argentine National Church in Rome. St. John Paul II spoke of the Virgin Mary’s importance to Argentina, invoking her title of Our Lady of Luján, the country’s patroness, and asked for her intercession in the defense of life: “Our Lady of Luján, help the people of Argentina, support them in their defense of life, console them in their suffering, accompany them in their joys, and always help them to raise their eyes to heaven, where the colors of their flag blend with the colors of your immaculate mantle.”
Less than a month after the meeting, on December 8, 1998, the Argentine government, under Menem’s leadership, signed Decree 1406/98, officially establishing March 25 as the Day of the Unborn Child. The first celebration took place in 1999. The decree also emphasized the significance of Christ’s birth, noting that “the most celebrated birth in the world by Christians and non-Christians is that of the child Jesus.”
A Day to Reflect on Life
The establishment of the Day of the Unborn Child was also seen as a way to reaffirm the Argentine government’s commitment to the sanctity of human life. The decree states that it is necessary to dedicate a day at the national level to reflect on the unborn child, “taking into account that a day is customarily designated on the calendar to commemorate the most significant events of the human race.”
Furthermore, the decree highlights the vital role that pregnant women play in the destiny of humanity, recognizing “the value of the human life they carry within them.”
The International Day of the Unborn Child is celebrated not only in Argentina but also in several other countries, including Guatemala, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Peru, El Salvador, Uruguay, Spain, Brazil, Mexico, Austria, Slovakia, Ecuador, Cuba, Chile, and the Philippines. These nations stand united in their dedication to defending life and rejecting the crime of abortion.
St. John Paul II’s Influence and the Gospel of Life
One of the key reasons for choosing March 25 as the Day of the Unborn Child is its connection to St. John Paul II’s encyclical Evangelium Vitae (“The Gospel of Life”), published on the same day in 1995. In this powerful document, the Pope affirmed the right to life and condemned abortion, euthanasia, and other threats to human life.
“The moral gravity of procured abortion is apparent in all its truth if we recognize that we are dealing with murder and, in particular, when we consider the specific elements involved,” stated the Holy Father in Evangelium Vitae. He went on to say, “The one eliminated is a human being at the very beginning of life. No one more absolutely innocent could be imagined. In no way could this human being ever be considered an aggressor, much less an unjust aggressor!”
In his letter to Latin American presidents, Menem invited them to join the initiative and promote the Day of the Unborn Child, recognizing the growing global need to reflect on the dignity and sanctity of life from the very beginning.
The Continuing Struggle
The celebration of the International Day of the Unborn Child serves not only as a reminder of the importance of defending life but also as a call to action. The day expresses a firm repudiation of abortion, which became legalized in Argentina in December 2020 under President Alberto Fernández. Despite this shift in policy, the spirit of the celebration endures as a testament to the value of unborn life.
As St. John Paul II proclaimed in Evangelium Vitae, we must never forget that life, in all its stages, is a sacred gift from God. The International Day of the Unborn Child reminds us to continue advocating for those who cannot speak for themselves, ensuring that the right to life is upheld for every human being, from conception to natural death.
The International Day of the Unborn Child invites us to reflect on the precious gift of life and the role we all play in protecting it. As we celebrate the solemnity of the Annunciation and remember St. John Paul II’s profound teachings, let us renew our commitment to defending life and fostering a culture that respects the dignity of every human being. “The Gospel of Life” calls us to stand up for those who are most vulnerable, and this day is a powerful reminder to do just that.
