The Feast of the Annunciation: An International Pro-Life Celebration
Dear Friends
In
the Sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of
Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of
the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary...then the angel
said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
Behold you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name
him Jesus. (Luke 1:28 ff)
Next Tuesday, March 25th
is the Feast of the Annunciation, marking the visit of the Archangel
Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, announcing that she would be the mother of
the Savior, the Word made flesh. It is also the day of an international
pro-life celebration: the International Day of the Unborn Child.
Established by Blessed Pope John Paul II to coincide with and honor the
Feast of the Annunciation, the pope wanted people in every part of the
world to celebrate the gift of life by remembering all unborn human
life. In inaugurating this day in 1999, the great champion and defender
of human life united the universal Church in a single act, boldly
proclaiming the value of every human life while in the same moment
stressing the necessary importance of defending the most vulnerable.
Instituting
the day as, "A positive option in favor of life and the spread of a
Culture for Life to guarantee respect for human dignity in every
situation," the soon-to-be Saint John Paul wanted us to reflect on the
Incarnation -- the conception of Jesus in the womb of Mary through the
power of the Holy Spirit -- because it reminds us of the gift that
forever affects human history and affords to man and woman their
dignity. He also wanted to prick the conscience of society by making us
remember the millions of unborn children whose lives have been violently
ended by the crime of abortion -- globally nearly 50 million every
year.
Having
just returned from Austria, I saw first-hand what love for life could
accomplish. Austria's pro-life movement began with the foundation of
Human Life International Austria eighteen years ago and the opening of
the Life Center in Vienna. Today, there are three additional Life
Centers in Austria -- Salzburg, Graz and Hohenems -- each utilizing the
original model established in Vienna. Because of their efforts, six
abortion mills have been closed and over 15,000 babies and mothers have
been saved.
During
my visit with Joannes Bucher, HLI's Regional Director for Europe, I was
privileged to spend time with HLI's pro-life missionaries in Vienna and
Salzburg. I witnessed the transforming work the Life Centers are doing,
as well as the impact they are having in saving the lives of children
and their mothers. Through determination, love and in spite of
tremendous suffering at the hands of radical defenders of abortion,
these pro-lifers are making a difference in Austria. They are creating a
positive option in favor of life.
Sixteen
years ago, the corrupt international abortion business Marie Stopes
opened one of Vienna's largest abortion mills, averaging 70 abortions
per week. Through heroic efforts and prayer, as well as enduring some of
the most venomous attacks from abortion supporters, the number of
abortions has progressively decreased. Today the mill averages 15
abortions per week -- which is still 15 too many. We want no lives to be
lost to the crime of abortion, but the efforts of these defenders of
life are making a powerful difference. It should also be noted that the
Life Center in Vienna provides generous assistance to women and their
children. They continue to witness against the culture of death by
providing services that genuinely care for women, their children and
families.
The
murderous influence of the Gynmed Abortion Center in Vienna is also
being altered because of the tireless efforts of pro-lifers. When this
particular facility opened in 2003, it was terminating the lives of 60
unborn children per week. The abortionist, Dr. Christian Fiala, who is
connected to International Federation of Professional Abortion and
Contraception Associates (FIAPAC), has spent large amounts of money to
stifle pro-life efforts. The abortionist has gone so far as to employee
people to ridicule and molest sidewalk counselors and people praying as
they stand in witness to the gift of life. Episodes of this harassment
have been caught on tape. Though saving lives at this facility has been
more difficult, pro-lifers are determined to continue their work. Please
pray for their efforts.
Sincerely yours in Christ, 
Father Shenan J. Boquet
President, Human Life International
Father Shenan J. Boquet
President, Human Life International
Ocean to Ocean Pilgrimage
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by HLI Staff
The From Ocean to Ocean Pilgrimage in Defense of Life has now been to 26 countries after visiting Canada this week! This historic endeavor is uniting Christians around the world in prayer for the protection of life from conception until natural death, and for the defense of the family.. Read More...
The From Ocean to Ocean Pilgrimage in Defense of Life has now been to 26 countries after visiting Canada this week! This historic endeavor is uniting Christians around the world in prayer for the protection of life from conception until natural death, and for the defense of the family.. Read More...
