A Beacon of Hope at Every Stage

by Bryan Gonzalez | October 20, 2025

Each October, the Catholic Church observes Respect Life Month, a time to reflect on the sanctity of every human life – from conception to natural death. While many focus on defending the unborn, our faith calls us to cherish and uphold the dignity of each person at every stage of life.

Matthew 25:40 encapsulates the work of InnerVisions, a free medical clinic that serves women with unplanned pregnancies, the best: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me.”

Founded to provide life-affirming care to women facing unplanned pregnancies, InnerVisions has grown into a beacon of hope not only for voiceless unborn children, but also for women, men, and families navigating some of life’s most difficult moments. Rooted in Catholic values, InnerVisions embraces the Corporal Works of Mercy – feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick, and more – not as abstract principles, but as daily realities.

At our core, the Corporal Works of Mercy are about offering an encounter of hope. Our medical staff sees Christ in others, particularly those who are vulnerable or suffering. At InnerVisions, this encounter begins before the pregnant woman walks through our doors and extends throughout the pregnancy, even after the baby is born: whether she is pregnant and unsure, healing from trauma, or seeking medical care, she is met with compassion, not judgment.

Medical professionals and trained volunteers provide free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, STD testing and treatment, prenatal education and referrals, and material support. But even more than services, they offer presence. They accompany each woman with the dignity she deserves, regardless of her circumstances or decision. In doing so, they reflect Christ’s mercy – going beyond simply offering life-affirming alternatives to abortion.

In a culture that often reduces “pro-life” to politics, InnerVisions reminds the world that respecting life is also about accompanying people in their suffering. One patient shared, “They don’t stop caring when the baby is born. That’s when I ended up needing more help, and they knew where to point me.”

This holistic approach challenges us to expand our own understanding of what it means to be pro-life. Are we feeding the hungry? Are we welcoming the stranger? Are we visiting the sick or imprisoned? Organizations like InnerVisions show that being pro-life is not just about what we’re against, but what – or rather, who – we’re for.