“I would now like to say a special word to women who have had an abortion. The Church is aware of the many factors which may have influenced your decision, and she does not doubt that in many cases it was a painful and even shattering decision. The wound in your heart may not yet have healed. Certainly what happened was and remains terribly wrong. But do not give in to discouragement and do not lose hope. Try rather to understand what happened and face it honestly. If you have not already done so, give yourselves over with humility and trust to repentance. The Father of mercies is ready to give you his forgiveness and his peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. To the same Father and His mercy you can with sure hope entrust your child. With the friendly and expert help and advice of other people, and as a result of your own painful experience, you can be among the most eloquent defenders of everyone’s right to life. Through your commitment to life, whether by accepting the birth of other children or by welcoming and caring for those most in need of someone to be close to them, you will become promoters of a new way of looking at human life.” (Evangelium Vitae, #99)
- Offer an opportunity for healing to someone who has lost a baby through miscarriage, still birth or abortion. Project Rachel in Auckland is holding a Mass of Remembrance on Wednesday 12th October at 7:30pm. The Mass will be held at St Francis and Therese Parish, Pt Chevalier. For more information about Project Rachel go to Family Life International’s website.
Prayer for Healing
Eternal Father, source of all mercy and love, out of love for us you sent your Son, and willed that blood and water flow from his side to cleanse us of sin and restore lost innocence.
Hear the cry of each woman who mourns the loss of her child to abortion. Forgive her sin, restore her to your grace, and still the terror of her heart with a peace beyond all understanding.
Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of all tenderness and our Mother, strengthen her faith in you. Give her the consolation to believe that her child is now living in theLord.
We ask this through Christ our Lord, who conquered sin and death,and who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Text by Rev. James Moroney
Family Life International NZ 