The Family Foundation School Catholic Community Bulletin
Pauca Verba (a few words)
Tuesday is the Feast of the Holy Archangels: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael. We’re sorely oppressed by very dark things. We might pray the Prayer to Michael the Archangel each morning.
Saint Michael, the Archangel
defend us in battle,
be our protection against the wickedness
and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him,
we humbly pray,
and do thou, O prince of the heavenly host,
cast into hell, Satan,
and all the other evil spirits
who prowl about the world,
seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen
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Last Sunday evening at Compline time, I spoke with the young women of the community about our disinterest in the past, our present fragmentation, our lack of vision for the future. And then the good news of Our Lady’s appearance at Guadalupe, within Mexico City. Mexico is still North America! We heard Mary’s marvelous news to us, while so much around us seems to be falling apart: our personal lives, the life of our family, the troubles of the world. Remember that the Lady had an appointment with Juan Diego. But he skipped the appointment because he felt he had to fetch a priest for his dying uncle, Juan Bernadino. But the Lady met Juan in the middle of the road, barefoot, speaking his own language, addressing him with these words: (of course, She speaks the words to us as well – still, in our time!)
Let nothing discourage you;
nothing depress you.
Let nothing alter your heart or
your countenance.
Also do not fear any illness or trouble,
anxiety or pain.
Am I not here who am your Mother?
Are you not under my shadow and protection?
Am I not your fountain of Life?
Are you not in the fold of my mantle;
in the crossing of my arms?
Do not be troubled or take thought of
your uncle’s illness,
for he will not die of this.
He is well already.
Is there anything else that you need?
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Is it possible that there is a link between the following text and the fragmentation and sad malaise we seem to live in today in our country? Read this and ponder: The Bishops of the Catholic Church reflecting on the 30th anniversary of Roe V. Wade.
As we reflect on the thirtieth anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we express gratitude to those who have worked tirelessly for human life and against this ruling from the very beginning and continue to do so. They have lobbied, counseled and prayed. Many have suffered for their pro-life convictions. At the same time, what is perhaps most striking on this anniversary is how many young people have taken up the cause for life, and how impassioned is their support. This generation was born into a society already altered by Roe v. Wade and brings a special enthusiasm to the movement. This is the generation that knows it was born at a time and in a place where there was no legal assurance of continued survival at the earliest stages of life, in the womb.
In the United States abortion is legal throughout pregnancy. Yet abortion is a violation of human rights incomparable in magnitude and an atrocity for the whole human family. While Roe v. Wade appeared to create a right with some limitations, Doe v. Bolton, which was decided the same day, erased those limitations by creating a “health” exception so broad that it effectively allows abortion for any reason at any time The lack of any limits to legal abortion was never more clear than in the case of Stenberg v. Carhart in 2000, when the Supreme court ruled that even the horrific partial-birth abortion procedure could not be restricted. Most Americans are surprised and shocked to learn about the lack of any meaningful legal limitations for abortion. Most know things have gone too far. Together with those from many other faith communities, we work to bring about a society that recognizes abortion for what it truly is.
Many young people today comprehend the legacy of Roe. They look at thirty years (now 36) of legal aborting and weep over the 40 million (now 47 million) lives destroyed. They are aware that one in every four pregnancies ends in abortion, and they grieve for the world they will soon inherit. They mourn the fact that each year approximately 1.3 million abortions take place, and that thousands of them are done in the sixth month of pregnancy or later, when the child would likely survive to birth.
Many who came of age at the time of Roe were hopeful about what it was said to promise: an end to poverty and abuse.
A Matter of the Heart: On the Thirtieth Anniversary of Roe v.Wade. Nov. 12, 2002
