November 2025 Newsletter
Featured article: "October Baby Movie Review"
Emily Duplechin
At this past month’s HSC Students for Life group meeting, we watched a movie called October Baby. I have loved this movie ever since I was little, and it has been one that my family has watched over and over. I hope you enjoyed it, too.
Inspired by the true story of Gianna Jessen, the film focuses on 19-year-old Hannah Lawson, who has had a multitude of health problems throughout her life, including asthma, seizures, nightmares, and depression. Unexpectedly, she finds out the source of it all: she was the survivor of a failed abortion. Her emotions are immediately thrown into turmoil, and when she is invited to go on a trip across the country to find her birth mother, she decides to accept, against her parents’ wishes. As one might expect, the journey is both emotionally and spiritually challenging for Hannah, even with Jason, her best and oldest friend, by her side. Even with these challenges, however, Hannah proves herself a true heroine by choosing radical forgiveness. We, the viewers, learn with Hannah along the way, an effect doesn’t go away, even after watching the movie multiple times. There is always something new to learn from Hannah’s story, whether it’s forgiveness (learned from Hannah), or how to stick by a friend in need (learned from Jason).
Differently from some other pro-life films, October Baby shows the pain of abortion through the eyes of a survivor. That doesn’t mean that it loses sight of the humanity of the others involved in the story, however. The birth mother, the adoptive parents, even an abortion clinic worker – all of their stories are told alongside Hannah’s. This gives the movie a depth that other films may miss. It serves as an example to us pro-lifers, who may feel the temptation to become cynical or assume things about people. The idea that all birth mothers are selfish or have no self-control, that all abortion workers want to kill babies, and that all adoptive parents offer flawless homes to children is often very far from the truth, as October Baby portrays. The nuance displayed in this film is extremely important for pro-lifers to grasp, as it can help us gain a greater love and understanding of people on all sides of the issue of abortion.
However, the film is not without its flaws. The most glaring of these, in my opinion, is that the viewer is never given a reason for why Alanna (Jason’s girlfriend) is continually so mean-spirited toward Hannah. The movie-makers addressed this in a deleted scene, but it unfortunately did not make the final film. In the clip, Alanna is seen apologizing to Hannah on the steps of a cathedral, and admitting the reason behind her actions: she had an abortion years ago at the insistence of a previous boyfriend. Her behavior was caused by jealousy, because Hannah survived and her baby didn’t. Without this scene, we are left believing that Alanna is simply a mean-spirited person, jealous and possessive because she sees Hannah as a threat to her relationship with Jason. I personally do not understand why they cut this scene. In a movie that emphasizes nuance, could they not extend their antagonist the same grace? However, I have not heard the film-makers’ reason for cutting the scene, so there could be a perfectly legitimate excuse. This is simply my own take on what the movie could have done better.
To those who joined us to watch October Baby, I hope you enjoyed it. To those who couldn’t join us, I highly recommend it! My entire family has loved this film for years, and I’m sure it will continue to be a favorite. With depth, faith, and even a little humor, October Baby is one of the best pro-life movies I have seen.
Prayers
A Prayer for Pregnant Mothers
O Blessed Mother, you received the good news of the incarnation of Christ, your Son, with faith and trust. Grant your protection to all pregnant mothers facing difficulties.
Guide us as we strive to make our parish communities places of welcome and assistance for mothers in need. Help us become instruments of God’s loveand compassion.
Mary, Mother of the Church, graciously help us build a culture of life and a civilization of love, together with all people of good will, to the praise and glory of God, the Creator and lover of life.* Amen.
*Cf. Evangelium vitae 105 © Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Vatican City. Adapted with permission. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2019, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved.
Excerpted with permission. Copyright © 2019, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved.
Quotes
"Instead of taking life or leaving those in danger to suffer alone, heroes offer up their lives for others, even to the point of death." – Lila Rose, Fighting for Life: Becoming a Force for Change in a Wounded World
"If we accept that a mother can kill her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill one another?" – Lila Rose, Fighting for Life: Becoming a Force for Change in a Wounded World
"Education about the humanity of the child is desperately needed. People need to be shown the evil of abortion, the true agenda of abortionists, and the abuses of the abortion industry." – Lila Rose, Fighting for Life: Becoming a Force for Change in a Wounded World
"The right to life is the first among human rights." – Pope Francis
"A person's a person, no matter how small." – Dr. Seuss
Memes
News
Sarah Michalak
Caroline Wharton
Morgan Reece
Upcoming Events
Rosary for Life: Nov 4th @ 7pm
Apologetics Night: Nov 11th @ 7pm
Monthly Meeting: Nov 17th @ 7pm
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