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As
this email goes out, I will probably have just landed in Manila and
met our dear friend, the unstoppable Dr. Ligaya Acosta, our director of
Asia and Oceania.
This is
my sixth (seventh?) mission to the Philippines since I joined HLI
almost five years ago. My colleague and traveling partner, Dr. Brian
Clowes, can't count how many times he has been to this archipelago
nation of almost 100 million souls. But we both love coming here, where
the hearts of our Filipino brothers and sisters are even warmer than
the hot weather that always welcomes us as we disembark from the plane.
The faith is still strong
here, and while there are many reasons for this, one very large reason
is because of the reach of EWTN, the Catholic network started by our
recently departed and beloved Mother Angelica. Filipinos, of whom
almost 80 percent are Catholic, know the fiery Italian nun and
evangelist well.
Truth be told, my heart is in two places right now. A big part of me
is with my friends at EWTN in Alabama. Over the last few days
I've
communicated with Michael Warsaw, Mother Dolores, the Friars, and
Knights of the Holy Eucharist to express the condolences of the HLI
community for the loss of Mother Angelica. It pains me to not be able to
join them for the various remembrances of our sister, and to
participate in the Holy Mass of Christian burial tomorrow. Their love
for Mother is palpable in both their sadness and in their gracious
perseverance as they pull together to get through what will be a very
busy week full of hospitality and diligence in fulfilling their duties.
More than one of my friends have told me that Mother would in no way
want me to cancel the mission we have planned, and I know they're right.
My heart is with them in prayer, and I know you all can say the same.
I
ask you to keep the Poor Clares, the Friars, the Knights and the whole
EWTN community in prayer especially during this difficult time. We
will certainly be praying for them at our many events in the next eight
days in the Philippines.
Also, despite well
intended and expected calls for Mother's sainthood to be declared, let
us not forget to pray for her soul and not presume that because of her
heroic life that she does not need our prayers. You know she would not
approve of such an assumption. Our merciful Lord knows all there is to
know, and He will use our prayers as He sees fit. Not a prayer is ever
wasted when our intentions are submitted to the will of God.
I'll
have to leave it there for now. Thank you all for your kind prayers
and support of our mission to the Philippines, and of our missionary
partners around the world. We pray that the Holy Spirit can do what we
can't, in reaching and changing the hearts of all people of good will,
whether through EWTN's broadcasts, our missions, and the efforts of
faithful Catholics all over the world. To God be the glory, now and
forever. Amen!
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Sincerely yours in Christ,
Father Shenan J. Boquet
President, Human Life International
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Send a reminder: Catholic=Pro-Life!
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Like many, I am grateful to Mother Angelica for her loving and
courageous witness, and to Almighty God for her life and legacy. Because
of her witness and trust in the Lord, the transforming power of the
Gospel of Life is being proclaimed around the world. Because of EWTN's
television and radio programs, millions of people around the world are
hearing the Gospel, learning about Jesus, His teachings, and His Church.
Mother's fidelity, commitment, and fearless adherence to the Truth
made this possible and continues to make a difference. - continue -
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Send a reminder: Catholic=Pro-Life!
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Send a reminder: Catholic=Pro-Life!
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Human Life International
4 Family Life Lane ● Front Royal, VA 22630
www.hli.org ● 540-635-7884 ● hli@hli.org
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