Quebec Life Coalition

''Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live'' Dt 30:19

Like every year for many years now, on the day of the Feast of the Annunciation, March 25th, or nine months before Christmas, we celebrate the Day of the sanctity of life. On this day, we enjoy life which is gift from God and we thank Him for it. This year, I would like to suggest that we celebrate this feast in a particularly fittng way : by spiritually adopting an unborn child threatened by abortion.

Spiritual adoption is a practical, affordable way for everyone to help save many unborn children in danger of being aborted. Even if they do not belong to our family, we are all children of the same God and brothers in Christ. The spiritual parents should make their "adopted children" happy, by praying for them.

Spiritual adoption consists of personal daily prayer during nine months for a child in danger of being killed by abortion. This commitment is made with a public promise to God, in the presence of a priest and a congregation, or if this isn't possible, individually at home. Each person undertaking this commitment is doing so for the protection and defence of a child whose identity is known only to God. Spiritual adoption is a form of expiation for the sins of infanticide and abortion, especially those committed by physicians, midwives, and nurses.

Anyone who has reached the age of reason may make this commitment. This includes children, once they have received their first communion.

Adoptive parents commit to pray one decade of the Rosary every day for nine months and in addition to recite the prayer for the unborn child. You could also perform an act of penance or saying an additional prayer every day for the same period of time.

The act of adoption:

O Most Holy Virgin Mother of God, Mary, all the Angels and Saints, inspired by the desire to defend unborn children, I firmly resolve to spiritually adopt a child whose name is known to God alone. I promise to pray every day for nine months from [MENTION DATE] so that the child's life may be spared whilst in the womb, and that she or he may live a just and righteous life after birth. I will fulfill this promise by praying one decade of the Holy Rosary, by performing an act of penance or saying an additional prayer. I will also say the prayer for an unborn child. I will begin all these things today.

PRAYER FOR AN UNBORN CHILD

Lord Jesus, through the intercession of Your Mother Mary, who with love gave birth to You, and of Saint Joseph, the man of trust, Your guardian and protector after birth, I offer my prayer to You for the unborn child, whom I have adopted spiritually, and who is in danger of being destroyed by abortion. I beg you, give its parents love and courage to let their child live the life that you have given to it. Amen

Yesterday I wrote that the 40 Days for Life Vigil site was drawing people from all around the Montreal area to come and give a prayerful presence against abortion. Likewise it is drawing persons opposed to this goal.

This past Thursday, a group of eight men and women in their early to mid twenties converged on the site at the corner of St. Joseph E. and St. Laurent blvds. With homemade signs stating "Pro-Choice", they milled about for about twenty minutes before heading off into warmer climes. During their stay, I was approached by one, a young woman, who wondered about the sign indicating the number of Saved Babies. I explained the source of the number - the national 40 Days for Life web site, and the reporting method - emails sent to the central office from the 256 or so current vigil locations from around the world (e.g., 10 in Canada, 9 Spain, 7 Australia).

After the conversation had ended, we went our separate ways. Shortly there after, I notice that the scarf that had been draped around this young woman had found a new location - spanning the homemade sign indicating the number of saved babies! Does hiding the truth lessen it in anyway?

The vigil runs through to and including Sunday April 1, daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Have you made plans to drop by? Love to see you there.

I’m writing to solicit your prayers… on three fronts.

First, Denise (I've modified the names in this blog to maintain confidentiality) emailed us with kudos for our toll-free telephone line. She recently came across it and regrets that she had not seen a year ago, when she was pregnant. At time, pressured by family and others, she aborted her child, a decision that she painfully regrets . Please keep her in your prayer intentions.

Also, Jay called our office this morning seeking support. His girl-friend found out yesterday that she is pregnant and aborting their child is a possibility, despite the fact that Jay and his family want the pregnancy to continue. Yesterday she has belligerent with him and has isolated herself. Also, the start of an out-of-province internship is weighing on her. Your prayers for both Jay and his girl-friend are needed.

Finally, we welcome your prayers regarding a larger project. Next Monday the pastoral council at the Marian shrine Our Lady of the Cap – Trois-Rivières, will be convening in a special session to discuss whether to designate itself as a prayer centre for post-abortive women.

Aspects of this ministry include becoming a depository for post-abortive stories and a healing ministry. The agenda also includes sponsoring a national prayer campaign for post-abortive women.

A prayer of the following form will also be discussed:

Prayer for the Respect of Truth and Life

O Most Holy Virgin Mary, your Divine Son Jesus forgave the adulterous woman as the crowd was about to stone her. The Word incarnate protected her with the words “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”

Blessed Mother, we men and women wish to follow in Your Son's footsteps both in praying and in deed for the cause of Truth and Life. In the image of Our Lord Jesus, with open arms we lovingly welcome all those who have participated in the interruption life at a time when Love and Truth was absent from their lives.

Blessed Mother, this fault afflicts their consciences and causes undue suffering. We humbly ask you to intercede with you Divine Son Jesus that He shed upon them the light of his mercy through reconciliation with your Church.

We solicit your prayers and sacrifices on these three fronts.

Update (20Jan2012):

1. Denise has expressed a desire to do volunteer work with us. Further she has ok'ed the suggestion of sharing her story, whether on-line or elsewhere. Once I translate her testimony, I'll post it.
2. A follow-up telephone call to the young man - Jay, whose girl-friend was thinking of having an abortion did not reveal any hopeful sign. She has remained uncommunicative with him. What news he has is through a mutual friend. The latter informs him that she has gone on her intership and an abortion is most likely. We continue our prayers for her (and him) as she deals with the after-effects of abortion.
3. Finally regarding the marian sanctuary in Cap-de-la-Madeline, the discussion on whether to include in its apostolate a ministry to post-abortive women has been tabled to its next meeting - February 23, 2012. Your prayers in this matter, as in the others, are requested.

Heavenly Father,

Our movement is God driven. Otherwise, we will fail. We know. We have tried to do it on our own and we have failed. We face a colossus. News reports show; the death toll due to abortion – whether surgical, chemical, abortifacients, pregnancy reductions, is huge. These reports reveal that the mountain simply gets bigger.

We pray that the scourge of abortion be lifted from our land,

• Since 1988, Canada has had no legislation regulating the procedure of abortion. Hence, anything and everything goes. At any stage of pregnancy, the child is unsafe – from conception through to delivery.

That those who promote it may be brought to a change of heart;

The shiny red SUV pulled up along the sidewalk. A well-dressed thirty-something man, dark trench coat, unbuttoned, two-piece suit underneath, steps out. Immediately, he spots a solitary figure standing some forty-five feet away. This figure hands clasped is holding a rosary. The driver's stance freezes and stiffens. He glares. The look persists. Fifteen yards separated the two. No words are spoken but the significance escapes neither. He re-enters his vehicle and does a 180, parking on the far side of the busy roadway, a block further away. Re-emerges, brief case in hand and makes his way inside the abortion facility.

That all who are tempted to abortion may be lovingly helped to protect the precious gift of life;

The two women approached the abortion facility unimpeded. One, the younger, a woman in her twenties, drags heavily on her cigarette. The other, an older woman, perhaps in her mid-thirties, walks closely next to the younger. In front of the facility, the younger one stops, again drawing deeply on her cigarette. Her partner's hand goes up, resting on her friend's shoulder. A moment later this same hand gently strokes shoulder and upper arm - consoling her. Another moment goes by. Finally the pair moves, walking up the steps leading into the facility. Again atop, the younger stops. Her cigarette unfinished, she inhales, again deeply. Her friend, always in close proximity, continues her reassuring stroking. The cigarette finished, they walk in.

And that all who have experienced an abortion may be comforted with the healing gift of love.

The young couple walk out. Both in their early to mid twenties. Her gait is unsteady; he provides much support as they walk down the five steps. At the bottom they pause. They continue their walk, she relying on him for support – both physical and emotional.

A dark car pulls up in front of the facility. The driver stays inside but the passenger emerges, springing out and up the steps, into the facility. Moments later two women and two men, the former passenger and another, walk out of the double doors. The younger of the two women is noticeably needy, body hunched and twisted. Her peers offer support, first down the stairs and then into the car. The others pile in and the car drives off.

We ask this through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Lord, by your cross and resurrection, you have set us free. You are the Saviour of the World.

Heavenly Father,

We pray that the scourge of abortion be lifted from our land,

That those who promote it may be brought to a change of heart;

That all who are tempted to abortion may be lovingly helped to protect the precious gift of life;

And that all who have experienced an abortion may be comforted with the healing gift of love.

We ask this through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Hi Folks,

I experienced some very special and blessed moments earlier today.

Charlotte L'H. and I have been meeting twice per week over the summer months in Lahaie Park across the street from the Morgentaler Montreal abortuary.  Usually beginning at around 7:15 a.m. and lasting about thirty minutes, we pray for the cause of life and then attend an Eucharist service afterwards.

Over this period occasionally we have been joined by others. Well, this morning we were blessed to be joined by not one but two other prayer warriors - first, Jean R. arrived on his familiar bicycle and joined us without missing a beat.  Next, though arriving at the end of our pubic prayer, James accepted our invitation to accompany Charlotte and I to Mass and fellowship.

So, all are welcomed to join Charlotte and I weekday mornings - usually Tuesdays and Fridays, for prayer in Lahaie Park at 7:15 a.m. (Call me for details - (514) 344-2686. Next meeting: Wednesday, August 17)