The Doctors and Life

THE DOCTORS AND LIFE SECTION CONSISTING OF THREE PARTS.

In Part I you will read from the pamphlet on this site by Cardinal Justin F. Rigali entitled: "Where Do We Go from Here?" The Challenge of Building a Culture of Life. It is published on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops site below and endorsed by the bishops. The link is below and after you open the link you will see at the top, on the left hand side, the cover of a pamphlet that reads: EVERY CHILD BRINGS US GOD'S SMILE. By clicking this it will take you to the Cardinal Rigali's pamphlet. The 1st publication is a statement by the Cardinal and the second is the pamphlet. Both are by the Cardinal.

Pro-Life Activities Home Page

Another option is to write to the USCCB at 3211 Fourth Street, N.E., Washington.DC 20017-1194 or call Tel-202 541 3070 or Fax 202 3054.

Author:Cardinal Justin F. Rigali
Publication Year: 2009
Item Type: Multi-panel pamphlet
Item Number: 0941; en español 0950
Price: 40¢ each; 10-49 copies, 30¢ each; 50+ copies, 25¢ each. Bulk discounts available.

PART II

Life Prayer of Reparation

God and Father of Life,
You have created every human person,
And have opened the way for each to have eternal life.

We live in the shadow of death.
Tens of millions of Your children have been killed
Thanks to the Roe vs Wade decision legalizing abortion.

Father, have mercy on us
Heal our land
And accept our offering of prayer and penance
In Your love for us,
Turn back the scourge of abortion.

May each of us exult in hearts full of hope
And hands full of mercy
And work together to build a culture of life

We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen

For all who believe in God, no explanation is necessary. For those who do not believe in God, no explanation is possible. Believers are convinced that God is fully alive and has perfect life. That life is full of love. The doctors and life section will hopefully provide some spiritual insights and steps to reflect, pray and act upon to understand and experience the beauty of life.

Blessed Theresa of Calcutta said: "Life is the life of God in us, even in an unborn child."

Catholics and all Christians have a sacred duty to nurture and protect God's gift of life, especially the most innocent and defenseless of all lives - the lives of unborn children.

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DID YOU KNOW THAT ABORTION KILLS MORE THAN 46,000, 000 BABIES EVERY YEAR WORLDWIDE? TODAY ALONE, ABORTION WILL KILL 120,000 BABIES TODAY! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

PRAYER TO END ABORTION

Lord God, I thank you today for the gift of my life and for the lives of all my brothers and sisters throughout the world. I know there is nothing that destroys more life than abortion.

Yet I rejoice that you have conquered death by the resurrection of your Son.

I am ready to do my part in ending abortion.

Today I commit myself never to be silent, never to be passive, and never to be forgetful of the unborn.

I commit myself to be active in the Pro-Life movement, and never to stop defending life until all my brothers and sisters are protected, and our nation once again becomes a nation with liberty and justice not just for some, but for all.

Dear Father, through Christ our Lord, we beseech you to hear us, Amen!

Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests For Life
priestforlife.org

The more accurate and thorough knowledge that we can gain about life and its beauty from the basic beginnings, the unborn stage, the more we will be able to appreciate life. One way that we can gain this knowledge is through reading. One book for young children is Angel in the Waters by Regina Doman with pictures by Ben Hatke.

This book can be ordered through Sophia Institute Press.

Taken from the back cover: “In its mother’s womb, a tiny baby grows, explores the waters, and talks with the angel who is there...” These gentle illustrations and wise words tell the story of that baby and the angel in the waters… a story that’s sure to delight all young children, because the journey from conception to birth is their story, too.

Sophia Institute Press. Manchester. NH; 1-800 888 9344

The Church, with her bishops, employs Our Lady of Guadalupe as the Patron of the Unborn. There is ample evidence that after Mary’s appearances in Mexico hundreds of years ago, and the miracles that happened afterwards, helped eliminate, on a large scale, infant sacrifices and massacres that were prevalent at that time. We might explore Our Lady of Guadalupe websites. This will remind us that Mary appeared pregnant. All the research and the icon itself, that Mary left with Saint Juan Diego, substantiated this sacred truth.

From the practical side, we might want to heed the advice of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta who stated that if we really want to stop this terrible war immediately, the solution would be to stop the killing of the unborn through abortion.

One glowing example of a mother who willingly gave up her life for her unborn child, rather than abort, is Saint Gianna Molla. Her website is http://www.saintgianna.org/

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The below is an abbreviated bio of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla written by Joan Carroll Cruz listed in her new book entitled Saints of for the Sick . She is an extraordinary model for this Life Section.

Saint Gianna Beretta Molla ( 1922 – 1962)

The family into which Gianna Beretta was born in 1922 was an extraordinary one. Both parents were Third Order Franciscans who taught their children to live simply, frugally, and with fraternal joy. One of the children, who later became a priest, said that they “lived an intense life of piety and evangelical mortification, renouncing even exteriorly all that was superfluous.” Both parents attended daily Mass with their children, and in the evening the Rosary was recited, followed by happy and animated conversation. A daughter added, “Never did a strong or uncontrolled word disturb the serenity of the family, never was there a reproof from the mother without the support of the father… the atmosphere of the home was permeated with serenity and peace.” This was all the more remarkable since there were 13 children in the family.

One of her early teachers recalled that Gianna had a sweet character: “She was always smiling. I never hear a word of annoyance, fatigue or rebellion cross her lips…The fulfillment of her duties at home, in school, in society were for her a sacred duty. Diligent and committed to her studies, she was a model of respect and discipline.”

Gianna had many interests, including mountain climbing, skiing, painting, playing the piano, and attending the theater, opera and concerts. As with many young ladies, she liked nice clothes, believing that simple beauty was becoming to a Christian lady. Concern for her neighbor was always a primary preoccupation with Gianna. She joined Catholic Action and participation in many of its charitable endeavors, especially visiting the poor and sick in their homes. She brought them food and medicines and tidied many a disorderly household.

When it came time to decide upon a life’s work Gianna decided upon medicine. She received her degree in medicine and surgery in 1949 form the University of Pavia in Italy. She then joined her brother, also a doctor, in his clinic in Mesero, located not far from the family home.

Gianna assisted many patients free of charge if they were too poor to afford medical help. She also supplied them with free medicine, supplies and money. Since she was especially attracted to serving mothers and children, she returned to school, while still maintaining her medical practice, and received a degree in pediatrics from the University of Milan in 1952. Gianna was a dedicated doctor who visited her patients in their homes in the countryside or in the hospital at Magenta. Sometimes she left her office as late as nine o’clock. She also promptly visited the sick at night

Gianna seriously opposed abortion. She once wrote: “The doctor should not meddle. The right of the child to live is equal to the right of the mother’s life… it is a sin to kill in the womb.”

Still active in Catholic Action, Gianna met a mechanical engineer, Pietro Molla. After a seven-month engagement, Pietro, 43 years old, and Gianna, 33, were married by her brother, Father Giuseppe, in September of 1955. After an extended honeymoon touring Rome, the rest of Italy, and Europe, they settled in a little house near the plant where Pietro worked as director. Pietro wrote of his happiness with Gianna and agreed with her that they would form a truly Christian family, stating his hope that “we pray to be given the grace to be cheered by little angels.”

Three months after the wedding, Gianna became pregnant, and in due course, the couple’s first child, Pier Luigi, was born. Then came Mariolina in 1957; then, two years later, Lauretta joined the family.

Serious complications had developed during each of the pregnancies. With all three Gianna had experienced excessive vomiting, intestinal binding and dysfunction and gastric disturbances that caused a great deal of pain. Her first pregnancy went 25 days beyond her due date, with labor of 36 hours. In the second pregnancy there were similar difficulties. The event was delayed ten days and was accompanied by a long and painful delivery. During the third pregnancy, Gianna had to be admitted to the hospital due to acute symptoms similar to those of her first two pregnancies. She suffered from vomiting and acute spasmodic contractions, accompanied by the threat of miscarriage. According to her obstetrician the delivery of each child took place without pain relievers of any kind, in accord with the wishes of the mother.

In spite of the difficulties experienced the births were immediate occasions for thankfulness and joy. After Baptism, each child was placed under the protection of Our Lady of Good Counsel, and soon as she could, Gianna returned to her medical practice.

Gianna and Pietro prayed for yet another child to grace their family, but their next two pregnancies ended in spontaneous miscarriages. When Gianna became aware that she was again expecting, she soon realized that she was facing a serious, life-threatening experience. During her second month it was discovered that a painful fibroid tumor had grown in her uterus. Although a benign tumor, it was growing rapidly and threatened to compress the unborn child, bringing danger of abnormal development or miscarriage. Other complications also threatened, including a pre-term labor and displacement of the uterus. There was the possibility that the tumor might outgrow its blood supply and degenerate, causing considerable pain, as well as presenting the risk of infection.

Gianna, being a doctor knew her options. The first was to have a hysterectomy, which would indirectly cause the death of the fetus and would preclude the possibility of future pregnancies. The second option would be to have the tumor removed, abort the fetus, but still retain the possibility of future pregnancies. These two options were not considered by Gianna since they would result in the death of the fetus. The third option was to have the tumor removed and continue the pregnancy, but this would present other serious complications. Gianna decided upon the third option.

The tumor was removed, and this pregnancy, like the others, was accompanied by nagging nausea and always the threat of a miscarriage. Gianna had suffered much during her other pregnancies and without complaint. This last pregnancy, however, involved difficulties not faced in the previous ones, since the expanding uterus could press again the partially healed incision, breaking it open and causing a bloody hemorrhage.

Gianna remembered a lecture she once gave to the young girls of Catholic Action: “When the mother and child are in danger, the life of the child should take preference.” When Gianna was given the same option, she immediately chose the life of the baby at a risk to her own. She was to say, “With faith and hope I am trusting in the Lord, even against science’s terrible sentence. I trust in God, but now it is up to me to fulfill my duty as a mother. I renew the offering of my life to the Lord. I am ready for anything they will do to me, provided my child is saved.”

After the fifth month, Gianna felt certain that the pregnancy would continue normally. She is said to have lived always calm and in apparent peace; and when she felt well enough, she returned to her patients until it was time for the birth.

A few hours later, Gianna’s condition began to deteriorate. She experienced an elevated fever, a rapid and weakened pulse, and exhaustion. She also suffered an intense and overwhelming pain that was caused by septic peritonitis an infection of the lining of the abdomen. Despite the extensive use antibiotics, this condition was to continue for a week until her death. During this painful abdominal suffering, Gianna declined all narcotic medications, since she wanted to remain perfectly awake. While suffering she was hear to whisper frequently, “Jesus, I love You. Jesus, I love You!” Because of nausea she was unable to receive Holy Communion, Instead the sacred Host was placed on her lips.

Gianna knew she was dying, and she remarked to her sister, “If you only know how differently things are judged at the hour of death; how vain certain things appear to which was give such importance in the world.”

One week after the delivery, Gianna was taken home. Knowing she would soon did, she must have experienced an agony at the prospect of leaving her children, her dear husband, and the infant who needed the nurturing of its mother. Gianna is truly the model of a heroic mother who, for the life of her unborn child, sacrificed her own life, leaving in God’s hands all those she loved in the world. Her doctor once exclaimed, “Behold the Catholic mother!”

Gianna died a few hours following her arrival home. It was eight o’clock in the morning, the Saturday after Easter, April 28, 1962. Pietro was heartbroken at the loss of his beloved wife after only six and a half years of a happy married life. Two years later he was to suffer another tragedy when his oldest daughter, Mariolina died.

Pier Luigi, Pietro Molla’s only son, eventually entered the business world, married and raised a family, while Lauretta studied economics. Gianna Emanuela, who had been named for her mother, became a medical doctor and now cares for Alzheimer patients. She lives with her husband in Magenta.

When Pope John Paul II conducted the beatification ceremony of Gianna Beretta Molla on April 24, 1994, in attendance were Gianna’s husband, her surviving children and four of her sisters and brothers, all of whom received Holy Communion from the Pope. The feast day of Gianna was set for April 28, the anniversary of her entrance into eternal life.

Ten years later, on May 16, 2004, the Pope canonized Gianna. In attendance were her husband, her children and other family members. They witnessed the elevation of their beloved Gianna to the honors of the altar as a Saint of the universal Church.

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PART III

Meditations for Pro-Life Stations Of The Cross

The First Station: Jesus is Condemned to Death

Though innocent, Jesus is condemned by the power of the State. In like manner, our innocent brothers and sisters in the womb have been condemned. Their rights and dignity are not recognized. In this, they bear a special likeness to Jesus.

The Second Station: Jesus is Made to Bear His Cross

The salvation of the world carried a heavy price for our Lord, the agony of the cross. As He accepts His cross, let us also resolve to endure suffering that others may live. Let us pay the price for standing up for our preborn brothers and sisters.

The Third Station: Jesus Falls the First Time

Almighty God was weak because He chose to be like us. He had power and glory from all eternity, yet He chose to be immersed in the world of suffering. We pray that the benefits and advantages we have in life may not cause us to forget our pre-born brothers and sisters.

The Fourth Station: Jesus Meets His Afflicted Mother

There is no deeper relationship than that of mother and child. They belong together. When one suffers, the other suffers. To love and defend one means to love and defend the other. To be pro-life means to serve both the child and the mother. It means to ask our society, "Why can't we love them both?"

The Fifth Station: The Cyrenian Helps Jesus to Carry His Cross

Many watched the Lord suffer. Simon the Cyrenian helped alleviate that suffering. Many lament abortion. Some actually get involved to help to stop it. We pray that all people may take their active place in the pro-life movement.

The Sixth Station: Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

The compassion Veronica shows reflects the compassion of so many medical doctors and nurses, who treat their patients with dignity. We pray for repentance and renewal in the medical profession. May the tools and skills meant for healing nevermore be used for killing.

The Seventh Station: Jesus Falls the Second Time

In working to defend life, there are many setbacks and obstacles. Yet we know the meaning of the cross. In weakness, power reaches perfection. We do not look to our own strengths and talents alone, but to Christ. His own strength will sustain us.

The Eighth Station: Jesus Speaks to the Women of Jerusalem

Christ told these women to weep for themselves and for their children. He does not want false worship, but repentance. He does not want followers who cry out to Him but then ignore injustice and bloodshed. May all who believe in Christ likewise stand up for the defenseless children.

The Ninth Station: Jesus Falls the Third Time

Despite the falls, nothing can stop our Lord, because He is on a mission of love. If the pro-life movement is not a movement of love, it is nothing at all, but if it is a movement of love, then nothing will stop it. Love is stronger than death, more powerful than hell.

The Tenth Station: Jesus is Stripped of His Garments

Nobody can stop us form loving our preborn brothers and sisters. Those stronger than we may strip us of popularity, possessions, or power, but they cannot strip us of love. We love others with the same love that Christ showed for us.

The Eleventh Station: Jesus is Nailed to the Cross

The powers of this world crucified the God who made this world. All power and authority come from God. All who exercise power have to account for it before the throne of God. We pray that those in government may use their powers to protect the innocent babies in the womb.

The Twelfth Station: Jesus Dies on the Cross

Our Lord died. So many of His children have died with Him. His passion is re-lived with every abortion, one every twenty seconds in our country. We only know a fraction of the horror of this act in the sight of God. We only know a fraction of the horror of Christ's crucifixion. May all our brothers and sisters killed by abortion rest in Christ's peace and be saved by His cross.

The Thirteenth Station: Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross

Mary experienced the pain of holding her dead Son. So many mothers grieve after their abortions. We ask that Mary may comfort them, help them face the truth about abortion, and lead them to forgiveness and healing.

The Fourteenth Station: Jesus is Laid in the Tomb

A tomb is a memorial. It helps us remember the one who can no longer speak. May we and our society remember the babies who cannot speak. May we also remember Our Lord's Resurrection, and His promise of eternal life. He has conquered abortion because He has conquered death. May we bring His victory to every part of our world!

Priests for Life
PO Box 141172
Staten Island, NY 10314
Tel. 888-PFL-3448, (718) 980-4400
Fax 718-980-6515
Email mail@priestsforlife.org

Subscribe to Fr. Frank's bi-weekly prolife column (free): subscribe@priestsforlife.org

The background music is Andrea Bocelli's "Ave Maria".