"... when a soul sees and realizes the gravity of its sins, when the whole abyss of the misery into which it is immersed itself is displayed before its eyes, let it not despair, but with a trust let it throw itself into the arms of My mercy, as a child into the arms of its beloved mother. These souls have a right of priority to My compassionate Heart, they have first access to My mercy. Tell them that no soul that has called upon My mercy has been disappointed or brought to shame. I delight particularly in a soul which has placed its trust in My goodness."(1541)Divine Mercy In My Soul
Some "pro choice" places that address emotions after abortion pride themselves on supposedly listening. They say they do not fill the people who come in with guilt and shame the way other places do.
Planned Parenthoods site says this when addressing emotions following an abortion.
Women experience a variety of emotions after an abortion.
- Feelings of relief, sadness, elation, or depression are common and may be strong due to the hormonal changes that occur after an abortion. Most women find these feelings do not last very long.
I always wondered how they reconcile the feelings the woman is having when they go in for help. What feelings are they having when they step into the door? Most likely, they are in grave pain filled with sorrow, guilt and shame. One thing not mentioned above or in many places that say they address after abortion care, is the loss of the child, instead, it is all blamed on hormones with no mention of what the abortion experience itself may have been like, or the fact of the death of their child. This attitude often leaves women feeling alone and that somehow they are the only ones experiencing this pain.
Listening but not legitimizing these feelings is not helpful. It perpetuates the denial that has been eating at them. It is closing the door to what they know is true. They need to know that despite the experience there is still hope and they are still loved and accepted. No one has made them feel that way, they are already feeling that way when they come in, that is why they seek out help. They need the unconditional love and understanding of God.
Instead of denying what they are feeling as society often does, we need to acknowledge their feelings and help them move the past them through compassion and understanding. She has lost her child. She needs to look at the situation honestly to try to understand so that she can forgive herself. How can she forgive herself and move on if she is not allowed to have her feelings legitimized?
True healing is, in the mercy and compassion of a God, who understands our failings and forgives us not matter what if we are sorry. Who heals our wounds and makes us whole again. Who calls us to true peace and joy, not a fleeting peace brought on by denial that returns over and over again.
