October2007

Dear Lay Missionary of the Gospel of Life,

Blessings,

I pray this letter finds you experiencing the joy that Christ longs to give the children of God.

As we journey here on earth we are surrounded by a "great cloud of witnesses." In our Missionary Spirituality found by clicking here, the liturgical component speaks of the importance of liturgical seasons, feasts and saints:

"We foster a liturgical spirituality that "thinks and feels" with the ebb and flow of the Church's liturgical year. Our observance of liturgical seasons and feasts is carried out with a special attentiveness to the lessons those seasons and feasts present regarding the sanctity of life. The Society observes with special solemnity certain special feast days particularly associated with this theme."

In this month, there are two particular feasts on the calendar of saints that our Society seeks to emphasize.

October 5 - St. Mary Faustina Kowalska, Patron Saint of Mercy, who was given the Chaplet of Divine Mercy to pray particularly in reparation for the sin of abortion.

October 16 - St. Gerard Majella, Patron Saint of Pregnant Mothers and of Childbirth.

Our Moderator General, Fr. Pavone, asks that we participate in these special feast days and learn more about these special "pro-life" saints. Father Frank will be emailing you soon about particular prayers that might be offered during these celebrations. I am laying the ground work for this process by reminding you of these saints and to encourage you to learn more about them. Please review the following:

St. Faustina Kowalska:

www.priestsforlife.org/columns/columns2003/03-05-05divinemercy.htm 

www.catholic.org

www.thedivinemercy.org/message

A Prayer: Saint Faustina, you told us that your mission would continue after your death and that you would not forget us. Our Lord also granted you a great privilege, telling you to "distribute graces as you will, to who you will, and when you will." Relying on this, we ask your intercession for the graces we need, especially for the intentions just mentioned. Help us, above all, to trust in Jesus as you did and thus to glorify His mercy every moment of our lives. Amen

St. Gerard Majella: www.catholic.org

A Prayer: O Great Saint Gerard, beloved servant of Jesus Christ, perfect imitator of your meek and humble Savior, and devoted Child of the Mother of God: enkindle within my heart one spark of that heavenly fire of charity which glowed in your heart and made you an angel of love. O glorious Saint Gerard, because when falsely accused of crime, you did bear, like your Divine master, without murmur or complaint, the calumnies of wicked men, you have been raised up by God as the Patron and Protector of expectant mothers. Preserve me from danger and from the excessive pains accompanying childbirth, and shield the child which I now carry, that it may see the light of day and receive the lustral waters of baptism through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Again, Fr. Pavone will be emailing you soon about further ways to participate and promote the lives of these "pro-life" saints. Please contact me if there is any way I might assist in your formation and ministry.

United with you and the communion of saints in the service of life,

Sincerely,

Jim Pinto, Jr. M.E.V.
Pastoral Associate: Priests for Life
National Coordinator: Missionaries of the Gospel of Life-Lay Associates
E-mail: Missionary@priestsforlife.org

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