The Message
Lesson Nine — Divine Mercy, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the Thrust of Pro-Life Consideration
The mission statement of the Eucharistic Apostles of The Divine Mercy calls us to pray and work for an end to abortion and to help others to become sensitive to the gift and beauty of all life. We also want cenacle groups to do small acts of mercy with a focus on the "lepers" of today — the rejected, the lonely, the disabled, the elderly, the sick, and the dying. We want to show mercy to people at all stages of life, from conception to natural death.
Regarding abortion, St. Faustina wrote, "I wanted very much to make a Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament today, but God's will was otherwise. At eight o'clock I was seized with such violent pains that I had to go to bed at once. I was convulsed with pain for three hours; that is, until eleven o'clock at night. No medicine had any effect on me, and whatever I swallowed I threw up. At times, the pains caused me to lose consciousness. Jesus had me realize that in this way I took part in His Agony in the Garden, and that He Himself allowed these sufferings in order to allow reparation to God for the souls murdered in the wombs of ... mothers" (Diary of St. Faustina, 1276).
As Eucharistic Apostles of The Divine Mercy, we promote the beauty of life from conception to natural death, knowing Our Lady is guarding us. We find reassurance in the words Mary spoke to St. Juan Diego: "Am I not here, I, who am your mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the source of your joy? Are you not in the folds of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else you need?"
The Blessed Mother is the Mother of Mercy and Mother of the Merciful Savior. As Jesus is present Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Eucharist, Mary is also Mother of the Eucharist. She leads us to Him and gives us an example of pure humility, obedience, ardent love of God, and complete trust in His will. We must have a deeper love of life and respect for the dignity of man, and it begins at conception and continues till our natural death. Let us reflect on the Scripture, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you" (Jer 1:5).
Mary wants us to think of her as Our Heavenly Mother.
All of us have a story to tell and a witness to give, but many are unable to see the marvelous deeds going around them because they are so caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life. My advice is simple: Try and reflect on events in your life and see the presence of God's hand.
Blessed Stanislaus Papczynski, who founded the Marian Congregation in 1673, was known as an extraordinary preacher, writer, and confessor of souls. He preached and practiced love of God and neighbor. He took care of the physically and spiritually poor. He saw visions of suffering souls in purgatory and left as one of his legacies his love and concern for them.
The miracle that opened the way for the beatification concerned a pregnant woman. When she went to her doctor, the physician declared that the fetus had died. Father Wojciech Skora, MIC, Postulator General of the Marians, explained that the woman's godfather, when he learned of the child's death, began praying for Fr. Stanislaus's intercession. The godfather was convinced that Fr. Stanislaus would intercede, since he, the godfather, "had received very many graces by praying through his intercession," said Fr. Wojciech.
Three days after the fetus was declared dead, the woman returned to the doctor for a check-up and to have the dead fetus removed from her womb. "To his amazement, the doctor detected that the fetus was alive again," said Fr. Wojciech. The child who experienced this grace is more than 6 years old now and is developing well. "There is no trace of how dramatic the beginning of his life was," said Fr. Wojciech.
"Our Father Founder was very much aware of the upheaval going on in the society of his time and the sorts of problems associated with it," said Br. Andrew Maczynski, who is Vice Postulator for the Marian Causes of Canonization in the Marians' Stockbridge, Mass.-based Province.
What did the Marian Founder stress in his pastoral work with the poor? "He tried to convince them that human life, whether short or long, has consequences in eternity," wrote the biographer, Fr. Tadeusz Rogalewski, MIC. "He encouraged them to abandon sin and inspired them to the practice of the Christian virtues. He knew that a lack of faith in the salvation of the soul is man's real tragedy."
Along with care for peasants in his day, Fr. Stanislaus seems to have a heart of concern for unborn children today, as evidenced by the approved miracle. "In light of this miracle," said Br. Andrew, "perhaps Father Founder is taking care of the most critical problem of our times — the need to uphold the sacredness of human life. There is a chance, perhaps, that he will become a pro-life patron in the Church."
Now that Fr. Stanislaus has been beatified, what will it mean for the Marians and the wider Church? "I do hope that it will mean a revival through Father Founder's spirit and ideals," Br. Andrew said. "It would seem that he still has much to do from heaven."
Questions for Discussion:
Faith is a gift from God. It involves believing in things that are unseen and unheard. Let us continue and persevere in faith and allow the Lord to do mighty deeds all over the land. Let it never be said, "And He did not do mighty works there, because of their unbelief" (Mk 13:58). Take a minute today and think how God is using you in your life and try to "connect the dots" that form the picture of God in your life.
1. How did Our Lady live the pro-life message?
2. How is the Congregation of Marians tied to promoting the sanctity of life in view of the name of the Order and the Founder's recently-approved miracle for beatification?
3 Discuss St. Faustina's love for the unborn, the message of mercy, and the sanctity of life as one prepares to meet the Lord.