We cannot live without mothers. 

That seems like it should be an obvious point. But we have examples in recent culture and politics that suggest otherwise. The vice president of the United States recently visited an abortion clinic. As much as the issue of abortion has been important to the Democratic Party, no president or vice president had previously made such a visit. At his own abortion-rights rally, our Catholic president made the sign of the cross, as if to call upon God's blessings for more abortions. 

America's women deserve better. 

And this isn't a partisan matter. We are facing another presidential election that most people aren't happy about. As someone who considers abortion to be the human-rights issue of our time, having Donald Trump associated with the end of Roe v. Wade isn't what I'd hoped and prayed for. 

There's a chapel in New York City next to an abortion clinic. Often, pro-life ministries try to set up shop next to abortion clinics in the hope of offering a mother a better choice. Women -- and girls -- often feel coerced into abortion, and these are opportunities to take a breath and consider if there are options other than ending the life of their developing child. 

One day, I spent some time outside this abortion clinic praying and giving sidewalk counsel. For hours, I saw young women entering the clinic who looked despondent. It was cold, and some of their boyfriends didn't even get out of their cars to accompany the women into the building. What are we teaching our young men about love and responsibility? 

Next door in the chapel, there were some young missionaries with the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS). These young people were helping with campus ministry at secular campuses in the city -- Columbia and New York University. Knowing they were already in a prayerful mode, I shared with them the pain that was on display on the other side of the block. 

What those FOCUS missionaries were praying for was for a restoration of motherhood. And whether or not you are a Christian believer, there is something about Mary and the Holy Family that could unite us. A virgin and mother. A Jew. The mother of Christ. If you go to Ephesus in Turkey, you will see Muslim guards watching over the pilgrimage site where it is believed she lived with the Apostle John after Jesus's crucifixion (and resurrection). It's one of the most beautiful things I've ever witnessed. There's a reverence in common. And after the end of Roe v. Wade, I hear women begging for us to come together. 

In more recent days, I've talked to people starting clinics and thrift stores for moms in their churches. People want to help. And women want to be helped. Politics suggests easy answers, but the truth is, women and families need the long haul of love, and that will require work and prayer.

Kathryn Jean Lopez is senior fellow at the National Review Institute and editor-at-large of National Review magazine. She is also chair of Cardinal Dolan's pro-life commission in New York, and is on the board of the University of Mary. She can be contacted at klopez@nationalreview.com.