After abortion – there is hope.
Healing is possible. God's ocean of mercy is immense and bottomless. In this Jubilee Year of Hope, the Church calls all who suffer from the burden of abortion to run to the loving arms of Christ – Who is Mercy.
Abortion is a grave evil. Sadly, some have gone on to believe that abortion in and of itself is a mercy. In many instances, a woman who did not intend to be pregnant, is now pregnant, and abortion appears to be a viable option that will end her suffering, and the suffering of others connected to the pregnancy.
Yet, one who offers abortion often forgets the impact abortion has long after the finite decision to end the pregnancy is made.
For any woman who has lost a child, the reality of that loss remains, and the need for healing continues.
In an abortion, there is a woman who is a mother, and there is another human being in its earliest forms of development that has passed to eternal life. It is the mother who often deals with the physical, emotional, and spiritual trauma long after the abortion occurs.
However, it is not just women who experience the trauma of abortion. Fathers, siblings, friends, and grandparents can also experience the pain of either having participated in the abortion or experiencing the loss of a loved one.
One-fourth of multiple generations have died due to abortion.
According to medical embryology, human life begins at conception. As Catholics, we affirm the scientific reality that physical life begins at the very moment of conception, and that a spiritual life begins, as well. At that moment, the conceived human being possesses the fullness of life that is both a body and soul composite. In other words, there is—present—an individual who is created in the image and likeness of God.
As Catholics, we affirm the scientific reality that physical life begins at the very moment of conception, and that a spiritual life begins at that moment, as well.
Therefore, the Church recognizes the gravity of the decision to end a human life, but the Church does not end its conversation there. There is no sin that is too great for God's mercy, and in this Jubilee Year of Hope—following Christ's example—the Church opens the doors of mercy and hope to those who have experienced this great trauma and suffering.
If you or anyone you know has experienced an abortion, resources are available. You are worthy of God’s love and forgiveness.
The Sacramental doors of Confession are always available. Allow Christ to shine His light into your heart and begin the healing that is possible.
Rachel's Vineyard retreats began over 30 years ago by Theresa Karminski Burke, Ph.D., in 1995. Since then, there have been over 400 retreats for healing after abortion in over 50 countries at 200 established sites.
For more on healing after abortion, go to RachelsVineyard.org.
For local resources and retreats, contact Evelyn Walsh at 215-317-5752 or EvelynWalsh59@gmail.com. All requests are strictly confidential.
Christ said to St. Faustina: “I am love and mercy itself…. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet…. My mercy is greater than your sins, and those of the entire world…. I let My Sacred Heart be pierced with a lance, thus opening wide the source of mercy for you. Come then with trust to draw graces from this fountain…. The graces of My mercy are drawn by the means of one vessel only, and that is trust.” (Divine Mercy in My Soul: Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, entries 1074, 699, 1485, 1578)
This Sunday, April 27th, all the faithful have the opportunity to come to this fountain
By Annaleigh Gidosh, Communications Specialist for the Diocese of Allentown, Youth Minister at St. Joseph the Worker, and pro-life leader at Queenship of Mary Catholic Church. She has a BA in Secondary Education and Religion from La Salle University. She has led and volunteered in pro-life advocacy through both national and local pro-life organizations since high school.
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