Saints + Scripture: Legal Protection of Unborn Children

The Popish Plot
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'Tis the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children: U.S.C.C.B.-link & 9 Days for Life-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

The over fifty-six million (56,000,000) abortions since the 1973 decisions of Roe v. Wade & Doe v. Bolton reflect with heartbreaking magnitude what Pope Francis means by a "throwaway culture." However, we have great trust in God's providence. We believe that our prayers are heard.

Quoth the missalette:

The Bishops of the United States have designated today as a day of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life & of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion.

9 Days for Life Novena
Day One: May a culture of life grow ever stronger in our communities.

Day Two: May all people embrace the truth that every life is a good & perfect gift & is worth living.

Day Three: May all who have experienced sexual abuse receive justice, healing, & God’s peace.

Day Four: May God’s peace fill the hearts of all who travel upon the path of adoption.

Day Five: May each person suffering from the loss of a child through abortion find hope & healing in Christ.

Day Six: May all victims & survivors of human trafficking find freedom, refuge, & healing.

Day Seven: May those who long to welcome a child into their family be filled with trust in God’s loving plan.

Day Eight: May those nearing life’s end receive medical care that respects their dignity & protects their lives.

Day Nine: May the tragic practice of abortion come to an end.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Bertwald of Ramsbury, Bishop, O.S.B. (died 1045; also spelt Brithwald, etc.; A.K.A. of Glastonbury, of Sarum): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed William Patenson, Priest & Martyr (died 1592), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I, one of the Martyrs of Douai: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link Douai & Wikipedia-link Douai.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Guillaume-Joseph Chaminade, Priest, S.M. (1761-1850, Anglicized as William Joseph Chaminade), founder of the Marianists, formally the Society of Mary: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link S.M.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Tuesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
The Letter to the Hebrews, chapter six, verses ten thru twenty;
Psalm One Hundred Eleven, verses one & two, four & five, & nine & ten(c);
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter two, verses twenty-three thru twenty-eight.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus calls us to recognize him as Lord. Acknowledging the Lordship of Jesus means that your life has to change. For many this is liberating good news. But for others, it is a tremendous threat. If Jesus is Lord, my ego can’t be Lord. My religion can’t be Lord. My country, my convictions, and my culture cannot be Lord.

The Resurrection is the clearest indication of the Lordship of Jesus. This is why the message of the Resurrection is attacked, belittled, or explained away. The author of Acts speaks of "violent abuse" hurled at Paul. I have a small taste of this on my YouTube forums. We all should expect it, especially when our proclamation is bold.

This reveals a great mystery: we are called to announce the Good News to everyone, but not everyone will listen. Once we’ve done our work, we should move on and not obsess about those who won’t listen. Why do some respond and some don’t? We don’t know, but that’s ultimately up to God.

Video reflection by Sister Peggy Gorman, R.S.M.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Commentary: Quoth the missalette:

The following readings are suggested from among the many options.

Mass Readings—Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children
The Book of Isaiah, chapter thirty-two, verses fifteen thru eighteen;
Confer Psalm Seventy-two, verse seven;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter five, verses one thru twelve(a).

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 2
The Book of Exodus, chapter one, verses eight thru fourteen.

Commentary: The Israelites Are Oppressed by the Egyptians (Exodus, 1:8-14).

The Imitation of Christ
Book I: Useful Admonitions for the Spiritual Life
Chapter 2: "On Having a Humble Opinion of Oneself"

Papal Quote o' the Day

"You must understand that faithful service to Christ & His Church will not always earn you the world's praise. On the contrary, you will sometimes receive the same treatment as the Lord: rejection, contempt, & even persecution."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"Jesus, it seems to me you could not have overwhelmed a soul with more love than you have poured out on mine."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Do not weep, for I shall be more useful to you after my death, & I shall help you then more effectively than during my life."
—St. Dominic (1170-1221, feast day: 8 August)