Pro-life Monday

Today is the day we recognize the great tragedy of abortion in this country.  Thousands are marching in Washington today to draw attention to the devastation its legalization has brought to this country.  It leaves women, and men, scarred for life.  And through God's grace, they can always find healing in the sacrament of confession.  Often, abortion is pursued and completed in fear, ignorance.  But the industry itself is nothing short of demonic.  It is a billion dollar industry that is sabotaging the lives of over 4,000 babies a day in this country.  Babies are always good ...their is no reason, ever, to destroy them. 
As Catholics, we cannot support or endorse anyone or anything that makes a case for abortion's place in our culture.  Plenty of us have been misled to believe this is not a crucial issue when voting, but it is.  I've often said that for me personally, if a candidate has everything right, on taxes, immigration, education, etc..., but supports abortion, than everything he/she says is questionable, untrustworthy ...If he or she cannot protect the most innocent and defenseless of all, why would I ever believe they would live up to their word on anything?  But if a candidate is off on everything, except abortion and he/she believes in the protection of our weakest, most vulnerable ...than they are workable on other issues, and I know they value life.  We simply cannot ignore the most critical issue of our day. 
Please pray this litany, a beautiful petition and prayer from Priests for Life.

LITANY IN RESPONSE TO ABORTION Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. God the Father, Creator of the world, have mercy on us. RESPONSE: Have mercy on us! God the Son, through Whom all things were made, God the Holy Spirit, Lord and Giver of Life, Lord Jesus, the Beginning and the End, Lord Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, Lord Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life, Lord Jesus, Eternal Word of Life, Lord Jesus, living in the womb of the Virgin Mary, Lord Jesus, Lover of the poor and weak, Lord Jesus, Defender of the helpless, Lord Jesus, Bread of Life, For every sin against life, For the sin of abortion, For the daily killing of innocent babies, For the bloodshed throughout our land, For the silent screams of Thy children, For the killing of Thy future disciples, For the exploitation of women by abortion, For the silence of Thy people, For the apathy of Thy people, For the co-operation of Thy people in this tragedy, For our pre-born brothers and sisters killed by abortion, RESPONSE: Lord, hear our prayer. For our pre-born brothers and sisters threatened by abortion, For our brothers and sisters who have survived abortion, For mothers who have had abortions, For mothers tempted to have abortions, For mothers pressured to have abortions, For mothers who have refused to have abortions, For the fathers of aborted babies, For the families of aborted babies, For the families of those tempted to have abortions For abortionists, For all who assist and cooperate in abortions, For doctors and nurses, that they may nurture life, For government leaders, that they may defend life, For the clergy, that they may speak up for life, For the pro-life movement, For those who speak, write, and work to end abortion, For those who help provide alternatives to abortion… For those who promote adoption, For national and local pro-life groups, For unity in the pro-life movement, For courage and perseverance in pro-life work, For those who suffer ridicule and rejection for their stand for life, For those imprisoned for defending life, For those who have been injured and mistreated for defending life, For legal professionals, For courts and judges, For police officers, For educators, For media professionals, In thanksgiving for the babies saved from abortion, In thanksgiving for the mothers saved and healed from abortion, In thanksgiving for the former abortion providers who have become pro-life, In thanksgiving for all those who take a stand against abortion, In thanksgiving for the call to be part of the pro-life movement, Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us,   O Lord, Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Let us pray. Almighty and ever-living God, Thou hast created all things through Thy Son Jesus Christ. He trampled the power of death by His Paschal Mystery. May all who acknowledge Thee promote the sacredness of life and always serve Thee faithfully, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. by Fr. Frank A. Pavone, International Director, Priests for Life
Eternal rest grant unto Phoebe and may perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.