Mother Pierina of the Holy Face of Christ to Be Beatified

She was loved because she helped everyone who approached her -- from priests to families, from young people to the neediest.

Mother Pierina (1890-1945), a mystic, dedicated her life to spreading devotion to the face of Christ and, at the same time, to the fight against Satan. This was discovered in her personal diary, found by the sisters in the cell of the convent after her death. Read more.

Ohio Senate Passes Pro-Life Bill to End Abuse of Abortion-Judicial Bypass

Columbus, OH (LifeNews.com) -- The Ohio Senate yesterday passed a bill to end the abuse of the judicial bypass provision in the Ohio parental notification law. The bypass is designed to be used in very rare instances when a teenager telling her parents about her desire to have an abortion might cause her physical abuse. Read more.

Our Lady of Sheshan, persecution and division

Chinese Catholics at home and around the world prayed for the Church in China, according to the intention laid out by Benedict XVI in his letter of June 2007. The shrine is a place of encounter between underground and official Christians, the government continues to prohibit pilgrimages. Unity in truth for the Church in China and in relations between Beijing and the Vatican. Read more

Baby Gap: Germany's Birth Rate

Germany is shrinking — and fast. New figures released on May 17 show the birth rate in Europe's biggest economy has plummeted to a historic low, dropping to a level not seen since 1946. As demographers warn of the consequences of not making enough babies to replace and support an ageing population, the latest figures have triggered a bout of national soul-searching and cast a harsh light on Chancellor Angela Merkel's family policies. Read more.

Father Donald Calloway - Saved by Mary

Heroine, cocaine, opium, marijuana, excessive alcohol, not to mention hallucinogenic drugs like mushrooms (psilocybin) and LSD – he consumed most of these before the age of 18, many before he turned 14, the addictions growing stronger as the existential emptiness deepened. What sounds like an introduction to a Hunter S. Thompson novel actually constitutes the autobiography of a Catholic priest. Fr. Donald Calloway of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception retells his dramatic and heart-wrenching life story in No Turning Back: A Witness to Mercy. Read More

Persistent Myths About Abortion

In the public debate about abortion, some still believe in the myths about its goodness for women, says a bioethicist.

In this interview with ZENIT, Doctor Rosario Laris, a surgeon and teacher of public health and bioethics, spoke about the beliefs that contribute to the perpetuation of abortion, and the risks that it implies for women and society. Read More

The New Normal on Abortion: Americans More "Pro-Life"

The conservative shift in Americans' views on abortion that Gallup first recorded a year ago has carried over into 2010. Slightly more Americans call themselves "pro-life" than "pro-choice," 47% vs. 45%, according to a May 3-6 Gallup poll. Read more (includes graph)

Great leadership keeps pro-life alive

Receiving from a pro-life group an award named after Hyde, the late Illinois congressman legendary for his opposition to abortion, Boehner shared emotional memories of his large family and his humble upbringing, and delivered a passionate reminder of the stakes involved in the fight for human life. Read more

Navarro Valls Recalls John Paul II's Time With God

For Pope John Paul II, being with God was the most important part of the day, and the "most natural thing in the world." Joaquín Navarro Valls, psychiatrist, journalist and former director of the Vatican press office, said this today when he spoke of the Polish Pontiff, whom he served as spokesman from 1984 to his death. Read more

Smooching the Frog

A blog entry about how America is becoming more and more Pro-Life. >Read More

Pope will Visit the Shroud of Turin

In the upcoming days the Holy Father will visit the shroud of Turin. This is a special event that only occurs once each decade. Living here in Jerusalem helps to confirm the reality of this shroud. It would be a good idea in these days to use an image of the holy shroud as a way of meditating, thanking Our Lord for His sacrifice. Read more

Oklahoma Senate Passes Pro Life Laws

Here is one more indication that real people, at the grassroots level are pro-life. The senate of Oklahoma voted to pass two pro life laws in the state over the governor's attempted veto. I say it regularly, but it is worth repeating, let us not be afraid to stand up for life. Most people are pro-life. Those who support abortion and euthanasia are an ever shrinking (but loud) minority. We are on the winning side! Through reason, education, prayer etc. even the current minority can be on the winning side of life. Let us have no more losing. Read more

Salesian Vocations

Here is a short video from the Salesian formation community in Orange, New Jersey. Br. Tom Dion is featured. He is the finacial administrator for the the St. Philip, New Rochelle Salesian Province. Enjoy.

Good News! Euthanasia Bill defeated!

Good news for Canada as the latest attempt to legalise euthanasia was soundly defeated in the House of Commons - 228-59 votes. Read more

World Pays Tribute on Death of Atheist Turned Believer

Antony Flew - famed atheist turned Christian died earlierthis month at age 87. He became a believer in God after studying the complexitiy of DNA. From this scientific investigation his only conclusion could be that there was a God.

In our communitiies, the more we educate about life and truth and beauty and science there will be people who see the truth. Read more

Youths rally against abortion

Heartland,Kentucky students hold a Pro-Life rally at their school. Read more

Of Human Life - 1998

Here is a still timely article from 1998 by Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver, CO. It is his reflection on Paul VI's Humane Vitae on the 30th anniversay. Read More

Euthanasia Prevention Group

In Canada a bill for the legalization of euthanasia will be voted on (April 20-21). Canada needs your prayers that it does not go the way of other nations. Please send a letter to politicians in Canada, this article gives the details. Let us be unashamed to be men and women of life. Read More.

Actor Neal McDonough Sacked for Refusing Sex Scene

Catholics are called to be followers of Jesus in all fields of life - even actors, and even if it costs them. Actor Neal McDonough may have lost $1 million dollars, but he has certainly gained the respect of those who believe in the values of marriage, family and chastity. >Read more

Student Allowed to Share Pro Life Views

A NY Kingsborugh college student allowed share pro life material on campus. When told that he may not by campus administration, he cited his 1st Amendment rights (a clause in the American constition aloowing freedom of speech). All these small steps are positive in shaping the culture around us for life. Let us always keep before us the ultimate truth revealed on this Easter Monday - life will always win.

Read More

"Death in vain forbids him rise, alleluia!"

Good Friday Prayers for Life

Prayers on Good Friday for the Unborn. Let us offer a prayer in these final days of Triduum for the unborn.

Read more

Pope's Holy Thursday Homily

The text of the Pope's homily. He speaks of various aspects of life including bringing peace to the unborn.
Text
Video

Praise for the Pope

In these days we have heard much about sad situations of child abuse. Some jouralists have even tried to involve the Pope in wrongdoing. However, the dishonesty of some journalists and media has exposed their errors, and we have seen a large number of people across the world come to the defence of the pope. We can thank God that Pope Benedict has done so much good to help the lives of all those effected by abuse, correct those who have been guilty and present an overall vison of human dignity. Below are included just some of the positive news about our Holy Father. I encourage all to share these stories and others with our friends and colleagues.

French Bishops Affirm Suport for the Pope

US Bishops Laud Pope

Archbishop Defends the Pope - Edmonton

George Weigel

Let's Get it Right: In Defence of Pope Benedict

Cardinal Ouellet

Pro Life and Holy Week

Here is a short video of Fr. Frank Pavone connecting Holy Week and Pro Life work. I like especially his connection between Holy Thursday, "This is my body" and the life of the unborn. Watch here.

Pope Offers Life Lessons to Youth

Benedict XVI is telling youth how to live a beautiful and joyful life, saying that even sacrifice is attractive if there is a reason for it. The pope answered three questions posed to him by young people about life and action.

1) "I don't even know what eternal life is. Is it possible to make something beautiful and great of my life?"

2) The next youth asked Benedict XVI what it means for Jesus to look at us with love and "how can we also have this experience today."

3)Finally, the third youth challenged the Pope to explain how to have the strength to make renunciations. "I also find it hard to follow Christ, because I am afraid of leaving my things and sometimes the Church asks me for difficult renunciations."

Read more

Vulnerable Suffer if Euthanasia seen as a Virtue

The linked article is from the Globe and Mail by Margart Sommerville about euthanasia in Canada. It also cites the experience of Holland in legalizing euthanasia, and the psychoogical reasons being put forward. This issue will continue to be a growing concern during our lives with various national states thinking about changing their laws. We should be young men and women who love the sick and elderly no less during their suffering - perhaps even more - in a way fitting for Christians. Let us continually inform ourselves about this topic. Read more

Happy Feast!

Happy Feast of the Annunciation! The feast of the Pro-Life Apostolate. Let us pray in these days with great fervour to the Mother of God.

In these we learned on the death of Fr. Paul Marx founder of Human Life International. He was a great champion of life in the United States. I believe it providential that he died during the novena of the Annunciation - a blessing from Mary for the good he did for the unborn. He was 90 years old. Read more

A Message from Cardinal Antonelli

It is our honour to present to you a message from Cardinal Antonelli, President of the Pontifical Council for the Family. The Cardinal wishes to encourage our work of Spiritual Adoption, and to show how our association fits into the wider concern of the Church for issues of life.

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Feast of the Apostolate "Youth for Life"

Dear members of the Association "Aposolate Youth for Life", on the day in which the Chrcuh celebrates the Annunciation of the birth of Chrsit to the Virgin Mary from the Archangel Gabriel. I send you a brief message to accompany your moment of prayer.

The Church throughout history has put forward every effort to understand the spread of evil among men and has tried to fight it with the weapons of prayer and of apostolatic work. She has made this comitment in different ways: through education, through understanding social problems, the condition of women, of children, of infants and of human rights. Today those actions that harm human life, which violate, manipulate, not defend and sometimes murder, are being called pseudo-rights. Such actions force the family of the faithful, the Church, to concentrate her activity towards this direction.

While we feast joyfully for the Annunciateion of the birth of Our Saviour Jesus, our thought goes today to all children who are going to be born and to those who are already in the womb of their mothers and waiting for birth.

The social drama of abortion, that became a normal pratice, tolerated in the general indifference, and revenged as a right, forces us to lift insistently to our Lord prayers so that He will illumine consciences of each women to respect the life of their babies, and also to illumine society to give a great help to maternity.

Adoption is a great act of charity, when it is the fruit of spouses who have problems conceiving, and also when it is also the fruit of a man and a woman to do the good for children.

The idea of spiritual adoption, that your association is promoting, is also an act of love and an answer to the significant and grave emergency that society today is facing, the impediment given to unwilled and unwelcomed children, not to live and to be born,

I hope that this intuition of the Spirutal Adoption will be more and mroe known, appreciated and spread, as a prayerful contribution of the faithful as a way to sustain the culture of life.

May Mary, Queen of the Family, obtain the blessing of God to those who, with study, prayer and action, promote and defend human life and family, the unchangeble place where man may learn to love.

Vatican City, 8th March 2010

Ennio Card. Antonelli

President of the Pontifical Council for the Family

7000 Youth Rally for Chastity in Guatemala City

More than 7000 young people between 12-25 gathered at a youth rally in Guatemala City to pledge themselves to chastity. Read more

Save a Saint! 2010

SAVE A SAINT! 2010 – this is the motto of the campaign taken up on the Web in order to show care for the lives of the unborn. Every year there are millions of abortions in the world. Because of all sorts of reasons so many innocent human beings are killed with the “silent acceptance” of a large part of the world. With one decision each of these children is being deprived of the joy of living a great childhood, of experiencing one’s first love, of going for a walk and having a conversation with another person… But they were not deprived of one thing: the holiness of their life and the Love of God.

SAVE A SAINT! 2010 – is the II edition of a novena of prayers for children in danger of abortion. It will take place on March 17-25, 2010. It is organized by the web portal PokolenieJP2.pl – Community Portal of Young People. Its essential element is the everyday prayer for all unborn children whose life is in danger. This year’s edition will have as its motto: “Let Us Be Witnesses of Love!”. During the novena on the web page www.UratujSwietego.pl there will be short video commentaries connected with the theme of each day. These commentaries were prepared by artists, bishops and priests who wanted to give support to our initiative. After a short meditation there will an invitation to pray for unborn children and to offer the Chaplet to the Divine Mercy in this intention. Bishop Stanisław Stefanek of Łomża has taken patronage of this initiative. All information about this initiative and a special registration form can be found on the web page: www.UratujSwietego.pl.

We await your applications! Each one of us can become a “hero for life”!

Christian hope versus pagan fatalism

Is there a difference between "fate", "luck", "karma" and "hope"? Fr. Rutler thinks so. The answer is Christ. "The crucifixion of the world's one innocent man was the worst crime of history, but it was not a meaningless tragedy". Enjoy this short article by one of the most interesting and enjoyable writers in the Church today. Read more.

Gallup Poll: Young Adults in the US are more Pro-Life

Every year since the 1990's the Gallup Poll association has found more and more young adults who identify with being pro-life and advocating making abortion illegal. These results are very encouraging, and happily I am not surprised. The reason I am not surprised is that many of us belong to a generation that has seen the negative effects of abortion, but also the postive effects of human rights movements. Let us not stop speaknig about the beauty of life, its dignity and its final goal in the arms of our heavenly Father. Read more - this article also links to the Gallup results.

Conscience and Uncontroversial Truths

Here is an article publised in last year's magazine The Priest. The author is Janet Smith, one of the best and clearest philosophers about life issues in the United States. This article provides good resources for those who have ever been asked about how freedom, choice and conscience can be reconciled with moral norms and absolutes. The context deals with doctors and their consciences, but can easily be seen how the arguments are quite universal. I hope that this article will be of some help. Read more.

Sunday offering: Surgery for the needy

A story about doctors who provide surgery in the States free of charge for those who couldn't overwise afford it. This is the sort of dignity that we wish to encourage in all doctors when it comes to life at all its stages. Read more.

Pope Urges young People to Make Plans with God

In yesterday's Wednesday Audience the Pope presented young people with the example of St. Bonaventure. Both Bonaventure and the young ask the crucial question, "What must I do with my life?" Read the Zenit article here or read the Pope's full text here.

13-Year-Old Pro-Life Superstar Tackles Euthanasia

Lia Mills of Toronto, Canada shows the courage of young people committed to life. Last year she won high praise for her speech against abortion, and this year she has written a speech about euthenasia. This is especially relevant for Canada as the House debates the introduction of euthanasia into Canada. Lia speaks about the problems of euthanasia, which ignores the dignity of the person. Even in suffering and death the human person has great dignity. Read more and see the videos.

Positive teen behaviour linked to church attendance

Worshipping God at Church helps young people to be happy. There is no question that when God is put first in our life god things happen. This is even more true for those of us in the Apostolate who have made it our desire to pray for life. Enjoy this reseach from the Canadian group, Focus on the Family. Read More.

How to Go on a Date

Ever wonder how some people have marriages that last for 50, 60 or 70 years? Part of the secret for their success began with some old fashioned tips for dating. Check out this article from The Art of Manliness. The information is directed at young men, but you ladies might want to pass this on to your boyfriends to teach them how to be real gentlemen like your great-grandfathers!

Read more > > >

Martyrs for Dignity

Today the Salesian family celebrates its first martyrs - St. Aloysius Versiglia and Callistus Caravario. They were martyred in China 80 years ago today in the act of defending the dignity and purity of several female catechists from the attacks of a group of Bolshevik pirates. Read more about St. Aloysius Versiglia and St. Callistus Caravario.

Family thankful for the time they had with child

Nothing could have prepared Gillian DeSouza for the news she would receive during what was supposed to have been a routine pregnancy care check-up in June of 2008. At the 20th week in her pregnancy, the doctor told Gillian and her husband, Jason DeSouza, that their unborn child had a rare anomaly called “Trisomy X.”

Read more > > >

Chastity - what does it mean?

It means that we are called to live our lives in a way that manifests the dignity of the human being by acknowledging our sexuality as a gift from God. When this gift from God is used in accord with His Will we give glory to God and actually build up the Kingdom of God by being faithful to our state in life.

Read more > > >

40 Days for Life 2010

It was a well-choreographed scene, and everyone knew their part. Abortion opponents stood on the sidewalk outside the clinic and prayed. Yellow-vested Planned Parenthood representatives met patients at their cars and escorted them into the clinic, shielding faces with umbrellas. Patients came and went, walking past the praying crowd.
Read more > > >

Holy Father speaks to the Pontificial Academy for Life

In His speach "God Loves Every Human Being in a Unique and Profound Way" addressed to the members of the Academy Pope said: "Joining bioethics and natural moral law permits the best confirmation of the necessary and unavoidable reminder of the dignity that human life intrinsically possesses from its first instant to its natural end. But in the contemporary context, while a just reminder about the rights that guarantee dignity to the person is emerging with ever greater insistence, one notes that such rights are not always recognized in the natural development of human life and in the stages of its greatest fragility."

Read all the address > > >

Meditation on the marrital icon

Lord Jesus, please endow our marriage with the gift of dialogue. Help me to hear my husband/wife out better, help us to understand each other better, help us to share what is inside us and, first of all, to forgive each other. Give us gentleness and sensitivity in our conversations and make them lead us to a true encounter with each other and with you. Please help us to receive and accept each other more and more fully and to make a unity in which we will both remain ourselves. Please heal all the difficult matters that divide us and let us enjoy our marriage and always remain in your love. Amen.

Read more > > >

Lent and Life

As we are approaching Lent we would like to share a reflection of Fr. Thomas J. Euteneuer, President of the Human Life International, to discover a close connection between this special time of the year and our pro-life activities: "The Scriptures and our Church both tell us that Lent is not a season for timid creatures. If in Lent we were to simply jump through the hoops of fasting and abstinence on the days prescribed, we would be rightly accused of a sort of spiritual minimalism. But God is not served by minimalists – He wants tested saints of faith to be channels of His Life to the world! That is what Lent calls us to be."

Read more > > >

New Coordinator YFL for Israel

On 6 February 2010 Salesians from Jerusalem, who take care of the Apostolate YFL, expressed their gratitude to br. Daisuke Kitagawa SDB. Because of his coming priestly ordination and departure to Japan, he finished his service as the Coordinator YFL for Israel. Once again we would like to thank him for his work and time dedicated to the Apostolate. At the same day a new Coordinator YFL for Israel has been installed - br. Szymon Kasprzak SDB. We wish him strength and creativity in guiding the community of the Apostolate in Israel.