Reclaiming Our Children

Christmas Novena

One of my favorites, the St Andrew Christmas Novena begins today...it really is so simple and so beautiful. Say the prayer below 15 times a day until Christmas...may you journey to the Heart of Christ!

 

 

The Saint Andrew Christmas Novena
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.

Healing from Abortion

Know someone suffering because of a past abortion? This  book,"A Journey to Healing Through Divine Mercy" , will help them to know God's forgiveness and mercy is there for them. In fact, that He desires their healing and is waiting for them!

A perfect present for anyone you know suffering the pain of abortion.

Latest review:

"I 've known and worked alongside Theresa for over 14 years, but I never knew the FULL story of her abortion. It really moved me, that if Theresa can find healing from her abortion, anyone can. This book is so readable, so helpful, you can pick it up and open to any part and find comfort that you are not alone, that you are forgivable, that God is waiting for you. The quotes from St. Faustina's diary are so amazing, so inspiring, it made me buy her diary and read it cover to cover; pure poetry and light and comfort, direct from God. And what also struck me, the cover photo. Those can be the legs and feet of a woman or a man, either and *both* on this journey to God's compassion and help. Keep this book by your bedside, for those sleepless nights when you most need a friend to tell you God is waiting for you with open arms. That's what this book does."

 

Healing the Hearts of Men

With 60 million abortions in our country we all know someone who has been impacted. The Guttmacher Institute even admits that at least 5 percent of women are adversely affected by abortion. Even by their standards, which we know does not even touch the tip of the iceberg, millions of women are  suffering as a result of abortion.

Because of the judgement, shame, guilt, many do not tell anyone about their abortions and those who may keep it to a small number, not many are willing to go public and that is ok, it is not for everyone, but for those who feel called it is so important to bring the truth of abortions destruction out into the open so that those suffering in silence will know they are not alone and come forward for help. Thankfully there are many ministries and other resources addressing the dynamics of abortion and healing.

Even worse than the women, men are suffering in silence. For over 15 years now Lumina has hosted men's "Entering Canaan" retreats days for those who have lost a child to abortion. For men it can be very different. Perhaps they pressured someone to abort, maybe they are married to someone who has had an abortion and it is impacting their marriage, and  maybe they did not want the abortion, but as we know, had no say or rights in the decision.

It is difficult to imagine the anguish felt by these men who have to stand by as their unborn child is killed knowing that there is nothing they can do about it. 

I am so grateful that more and more men are coming forward for healing. I pray that their numbers grow more and they will speak to the truth of this travesty.

We were blessed on Saturday, as always, to have a beautiful day with some great men. Please keep them in your prayers as they travel this road to healing, and pray also that many more men will come forward to experience the love and mercy of God and to become a voice for their children who are now with Him in heaven.

So grateful to Father Mariusz, CFR, Fr Lake, CFR, Michael Corsini,   (who as usual played amazing music) and James who gave his testimony.

Look for the next men's day this coming spring!

Men's Day

 

Please pray for our Men's Day today!

Quotes from some of our men:
“ I have been waiting for over twenty years to see something offered for men who have been involved in abortion!”

“ The men’s retreat saved my life. Thank you”

“I rode the subway back with a bunch of the other guys and I can tell that the day was a step towards healing for each of us, in our own unique way. We even exchanged emails and plan to stay in touch, and maybe have each other to reach out to when the days are tough. Thanks for all you do in your mission. You truly do the work of a saint.”

“I wanted to thank you for recommending that I come to the retreat. I think it was a very important step for me to work to try to get over my own pain in this situation, but more importantly to help love my fiance the right way going forward.”

“The day was a personal first for me as I shared my testimony after the morning scripture reading. The men gave so much of themselves to the day and all hearts made a connection in some way with each other and with Our Lord. The efforts of the team paid large dividends as even the hardest of hearts were soften by Our Lord’s grace.
We are looking forward to continued success.
-James

"Words cannot explain how the retreat helped me… I have hope where there was none. It is time for me to let go of negative feelings. I thought that time would never come. My broken heart is healing.”

"I attended the first Entering Canaan, a day of prayer & healing for post abortion men. I learned how to begin forgiving myself and opening myself to God’s endless mercy. It was a day where I l discovered I am not alone and that there is a great need for this ministry to men and how we are effected by abortion."

Some thoughts on our Entering Canaan post abortion ministry

Entering Canaan - A Sacramental Journey to an Inheritance of Mercy

 Some thoughts on the “Entering Canaan” ministry that I co-developed with The Sister of Life.

 Entering Canaan was named to be a “journey” into the promised land…a road to the merciful love of Christ and healing which would free those who came to us, not only from their sin of abortion, but bring them to a relationship with Christ the only true healer.

 As companions on this journey, I always saw our “job” as loving them into the arms of Jesus. We work in the heart of Jesus which is the heart of the ministry. We dwell and act in that heart which is then, by His grace, reflected to those we serve. We invite them to take the risk and step out in faith promising to be with them the entire way, no matter how long it takes. We value their individual journey and the healing they need. We pray that they could depend on us to be there for them as they face their demons of abortion and life and moved through the pain to an understanding of the love of God. Of course, this included others we would send them to as we see the need, priests, professional counselors, but we’re always there, encouraging and supporting them.

 I know what it is like to step out on that journey. I often say, “if you want to know what hell is like, ask someone who is post abortive”. They know what hell is like. They live in it each and every day. There is constant pain, depression, struggles to temptations of all kinds…despair, drugs, sex, violence…the list goes on and on. That complete darkness, aloneness, feeling abandoned, unloved and loveable…feeling unforgivable, no worth and even worse, feeling evil and alienated from life in spite of what it may look like to others. Feeling like there is no way back and being doomed to hell forever. Such is the post abortive world. Through the invitation to this journey, we promise to step into this world with them.

 We asked them to take a huge risk…to step out into the darkness with a promise of hope. A promise that God is there loving them and listening to their pleas…they may not able to hear Him but we do, and we will keep telling them what He is saying until they are able to hear Him.. We will hold their hand as they forge ahead into the unknown…we ask them to trust us and promise to be there with them along the way.

 A tall order for us…and a huge risk for those who most likely did not even have the people who supposedly loved them there for them when they became pregnant, but a beautiful journey whose promise was many times fulfilled when traveled the way God intended…full of many emotions, ups and downs, often time consuming, but eventually leading to the foot of the cross and the love and mercy that saves us from our sins.

 Entering Canaan is a ministry and a community who travel together, support each other, learn true love and feel love because we, by His grace, hopefully live our promise of always being there. Of being a safe haven…they, as they move through the darkness, grow in trust of both us who ministered to them and God, because they, many for the first time, know they were loved and so are able to begin to trust in God and His love for them. They see us, and especially the Sisters who serve, as a sign of God’s love for them.

 It is a community and a ministry….a value of each soul entrusted to us…unique and valuable.

 Many post abortive women and men feel, as evidenced by the following written by a PA woman I know

 “I have not endeared myself to the “pro-life” community per se, because I am quick to criticize them, for their failure to reach out to women in need and the things they do that only serve to re-traumatize women who are already suffering enough – they are as apt as the abortionist at times to want to separate mother and child. But since I claim to have been harmed by my abortion, it seems there is no acceptance for me on the other “side” of the issue, either – especially since my personal belief is that life begins at conception”

 

Post abortive people know all to well they are sinners…not only because of the reality of their sin, but because of the treatment they still get in the world. Perhaps it is supposed to be so…perhaps that is the reparation or the solidarity with the child they aborted…who knows… I do trust God, and know He is working through it all.

 We are all sinners in need of His mercy…I pray each day to do what He asks of me. I try to be there for those in need…to keep my eyes on Him and what He asks of me in serving those He sends. To not be there to me is a grave sin…I woul dnever want to be  a poor steward of His amazing gift of so beautiful a ministry that He has entrusted to us.

Men's day

Hurting from an abortion? Men hurt too!

Next Lumina "Entering Canaan" men's retreat day November 16th in Paterson NJ

 

Grief After Abortion

Radio program I did with "Ready to Stand  Pro Life Radio" with Cullen Herout

Grief After Abortion

 

The Gift of Faith

It’s difficult and painful to deal with an abortion. Unless you know the love of Christ and are willing to carry the cross with Him it is easy to live in denial which can manifest itself in many ways, even hiding behind the faith. Pray for the courage to face it honestly so that Jesus can truly enter your wounds and bring His love there. It’s not easy but in the end it is transforming and beautiful
Jesus we trust in You

Beautiful "Entering Canaan" Mercy retreat this past weekend in the Arlington, VA Diocese. Was wonderful working with Fr Jeb and Mike Corsini whose music is a prayer! Praise be to God!

Continued prayers for the beautiful women who attended.

Who’s Crazy Now?

The medical professionals told me from the very beginning, in 1979, that there was no such thing as negative mental health issues from my abortion.  They were very sure of this and it left me feeling that I was an aberration.  But why was I so depressed?  Why did I feel I could not go on?

I started therapy after the abortion and my psychiatrist felt that I was a danger to myself and had me admitted to a psychiatric unit of a major New York hospital.  They tried anti depressants, shock therapy and anti-psychotic drugs.  But the depression never lifted.  My husband’s death at the time when my aborted baby was to have been born was further proof to me that what I had done was desperately wrong and I was convinced that it was punishment for the abortion.

I was now the sole person responsible for my two sons who were three and eight years old when my husband died.  I had no time to think about the depression and it wasn’t until my youngest son went away to college that it all unfolded again.  And again the professionals told me it was my imagination.  There were no psychiatric complications from having an abortion they said.  I found out though after attending an“Entering Canaan” retreat for healing from abortion, that I was not alone.  There were thousands, if not millions of women who were suffering from post-abortion stress.  Knowing this and meeting other women who were suffering and were on their journey towards healing saved my life.

In the beginning of my healing journey, I continued my psychiatric therapy.  I was in group therapy and one night I told about my abortion and what my experience had been.  There were seven of us in the group and after I had spoken, each person in the group had something to say.  One woman had an abortion when she was much younger because she felt that her mental illness would have been a deterrent to her being a good mother.  She regretted the abortion and always wondered whether she had made the right decision.  Another woman had always wanted children, but she too had an abortion because she was afraid of the consequences from her illness.  After the abortion, she could not become pregnant again and wondered whether the abortion had ruined her chances to become pregnant.

One man in the group told of his wife’s abortion before they had met and married.  She was always depressed about it and he was very interested in telling her about my experience.  Perhaps she could become involved with a post-abortion group also.  He hoped she could.  Another man spoke of a good friend of his in college who had an abortion and how it had changed her life.  He always worried about her.

In the end there was only one person who was pro choice.  He was not swayed by any of these experiences and was very sure that he was on the right side with his views.

I have always been amazed by this group night.  Five of the seven of us had negative experiences with abortion.  For me it was confirmation of my own conviction that all the years I had suffered were not a figment of my imagination.  Now when I read what the American Psychiatric Association is saying about post-abortion stress and I ask myself, are they crazy?  How could they possibly not be aware of all the testimonies of the many women who speak of the mental health issues associated with their abortions?  So many of these women have similarities in their experiences and these stories confirm each other.  Can it all be coincidence?  I think not.

Mary Salo

Praised be to God Mary finally found her healing..she has since passed away. RIP Mary -  your faith and perserverance were amazing. we miss you! Pray for us!

Communion of Saints

ALL SAINTS DAY

 

So what do Saints s have to do with post abortion healing you may ask? Well, they too had struggles and their examples of faith have gotten me through some tough times and given me courage in the midst of despair.

Take St. Terese. My grandfather actually had a huge devotion to her and that is why I have the name I do. My aunt told me that she prayed to her all the time when I was away from the church.  I guess St. Terese heard her prayers and interceded! My aunt, after my conversion, would often joke that she prayed too much!

We often forget how powerful their intercession is or that they too struggled just like us. Maybe they  never had abortions, but they helped me in my healing can certainly help in your healing journey so pray to the Communion of Saints which no doubt includes our children in heaven!