the right choice AWS
DAVID M. CAROLLO PHOTOS: Marc P. Anderson Tim O’Hara Todd Ziesmer
LIFE THE RIGHT CHOICE
January 22, 1973 is a date which will always stand out in the history of the United States. There is no question about this. It seems that all logic was abandoned in the decision made by the nation’s highest court on that day. The root cause, however must be traced back many years. The legalization of abortion in this country did not begin then, but our right to fight against it legislatively was severely hindered.
WE NEED TO TAKE A STAND AGAINST EVIL The underlying cause of this tragedy, however, is moral decay and indifference. Indifference has allowed us to tolerate many evils, contrary to the commands of the Church to admonish the sinner. It is this attitude which often mutes our criticism of things which we cannot be silent about. By tolerating lesser evils we open the door for greater evils to enter. How often have we avoided saying the right thing out of fear that we may offend? Do we however give thought to how we offend God by such inaction? We need to take a 20
Soul
WINTER 2014
stand against evil so that it does not lead to greater evil. Some day we will look back on this period in history and ask ourselves how we ever came to defy natural law with such recklessness. The true answer lies in reestablishing the sense of the sacred and proper. This is something which has been lost in our society. This is something which Our Lady directed us to reestablish at Fatima fifty-six years before abortion was legally ratified across the land. Our unwillingness to respond to her requests for so many years must be looked at as a cause of the many great evils which have become a part of mainstream society.
WE MUST VALUE ALL LIFE AS IT IS A GIFT FROM GOD The March for Life is the largest protest gathering which comes to Washington D.C. each year. On January 22, 2014, despite the cold, the energy was high and the sense that we will overcome the insanity of the culture of death was apparent. The March was peaceful and joyful. Thousands braved the elements to make a statement.
The recessional is beginning at the Vigil Mass on the eve of the March.
numbered. These days of unprincipled governance will come to an end. This generation will change the hearts of the country and those who have, by political maneuvering, brought about an anti-God agenda will be relegated to the
This is not about a right to choose. It is about the right to life. It is not just about a group of people protesting unjust laws. It is about a new generation saying that enough is enough. It is a statement to the politicians, who have power now, that their days of influence are The apostolic nuncio to the United States of America, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, prepares for the distribution of the Holy Eucharist during the Mass.
Both Pages: Todd Ziesmer
Tim O’Hara
Marc P. Anderson
Cardinal Sean O’Malley served as the principal celebrant of the Mass.
history books. The laws enacted by our founders and won by many years of struggle will reign again. THOU SHALL NOT KILL. This requires no interpretation. Nature and a properly formed conscience show us right from wrong. We can change the world. This is the charge which we were given at Fatima. The ills of our nation date back well before 1973 and it is not too late to reverse the evils which have caused so much pain in our country. Abortion is but one of the evils which has made its way into the and Dierdre fabric of our society. Joanne O’hara bring up the The culture of death gifts at the vigil Mass. must be replaced by a culture of life. We must value all life as it is a gift from God.
IT WAS AS IF OUR LADY HERSELF WAS STANDING ABOVE THE CROWD This year we introduced our new image of the Immaculate Heart of Mary at the March. Special thanks go to the honor guard, the students from Benedictine College in Kansas, who carried the statue and the members of our Apostolate who came from Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Michigan, Virginia, New Jersey and New York. From the moment that she was lifted up at the rally people gathered around and commented on how she contrasted against the clear blue sky. It was as if Our Lady herself was standing above the crowd and stating that she approved of the statement being made by all of the young people who were present and excited about taking a position for life. As this beautiful image approached the steps of the Supreme Court, I had no doubt that The One who gave human nature to the Author of Life, will bring sanity back to our political discourse, and that the laws of Almighty God will guide our decisions once again. Our prayer must be that no woman or man will ever make this choice and that the abortion industry will collapse from lack of business. We must change hearts. We must change the world heart by heart. There is no doubt that we will prevail. We were promised this at Fatima. “In the end my Immaculate Heart will triumph.” As the day of this triumph approaches we must work even harder to bring it about. We will change the world.
Pilgrim Virgin Statue of the Immaculate Heart of Mary blessed by Pope Francis.
Soul
WINTER 2014
21
LIFE THE RIGHT CHOICE
January 22, 1973 is a date which will always stand out in the history of the United States. There is no question about this. It seems that all logic was abandoned in the decision made by the nation’s highest court on that day. The root cause, however must be traced back many years. The legalization of abortion in this country did not begin then, but our right to fight against it legislatively was severely hindered.
WE NEED TO TAKE A STAND AGAINST EVIL The underlying cause of this tragedy, however, is moral decay and indifference. Indifference has allowed us to tolerate many evils, contrary to the commands of the Church to admonish the sinner. It is this attitude which often mutes our criticism of things which we cannot be silent about. By tolerating lesser evils we open the door for greater evils to enter. How often have we avoided saying the right thing out of fear that we may offend? Do we however give thought to how we offend God by such inaction? We need to take a 20
Soul
WINTER 2014
stand against evil so that it does not lead to greater evil. Some day we will look back on this period in history and ask ourselves how we ever came to defy natural law with such recklessness. The true answer lies in reestablishing the sense of the sacred and proper. This is something which has been lost in our society. This is something which Our Lady directed us to reestablish at Fatima fifty-six years before abortion was legally ratified across the land. Our unwillingness to respond to her requests for so many years must be looked at as a cause of the many great evils which have become a part of mainstream society.
WE MUST VALUE ALL LIFE AS IT IS A GIFT FROM GOD The March for Life is the largest protest gathering which comes to Washington D.C. each year. On January 22, 2014, despite the cold, the energy was high and the sense that we will overcome the insanity of the culture of death was apparent. The March was peaceful and joyful. Thousands braved the elements to make a statement.
The recessional is beginning at the Vigil Mass on the eve of the March.
numbered. These days of unprincipled governance will come to an end. This generation will change the hearts of the country and those who have, by political maneuvering, brought about an anti-God agenda will be relegated to the
This is not about a right to choose. It is about the right to life. It is not just about a group of people protesting unjust laws. It is about a new generation saying that enough is enough. It is a statement to the politicians, who have power now, that their days of influence are The apostolic nuncio to the United States of America, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, prepares for the distribution of the Holy Eucharist during the Mass.
Both Pages: Todd Ziesmer
Tim O’Hara
Marc P. Anderson
Cardinal Sean O’Malley served as the principal celebrant of the Mass.
history books. The laws enacted by our founders and won by many years of struggle will reign again. THOU SHALL NOT KILL. This requires no interpretation. Nature and a properly formed conscience show us right from wrong. We can change the world. This is the charge which we were given at Fatima. The ills of our nation date back well before 1973 and it is not too late to reverse the evils which have caused so much pain in our country. Abortion is but one of the evils which has made its way into the and Dierdre fabric of our society. Joanne O’hara bring up the The culture of death gifts at the vigil Mass. must be replaced by a culture of life. We must value all life as it is a gift from God.
IT WAS AS IF OUR LADY HERSELF WAS STANDING ABOVE THE CROWD This year we introduced our new image of the Immaculate Heart of Mary at the March. Special thanks go to the honor guard, the students from Benedictine College in Kansas, who carried the statue and the members of our Apostolate who came from Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Michigan, Virginia, New Jersey and New York. From the moment that she was lifted up at the rally people gathered around and commented on how she contrasted against the clear blue sky. It was as if Our Lady herself was standing above the crowd and stating that she approved of the statement being made by all of the young people who were present and excited about taking a position for life. As this beautiful image approached the steps of the Supreme Court, I had no doubt that The One who gave human nature to the Author of Life, will bring sanity back to our political discourse, and that the laws of Almighty God will guide our decisions once again. Our prayer must be that no woman or man will ever make this choice and that the abortion industry will collapse from lack of business. We must change hearts. We must change the world heart by heart. There is no doubt that we will prevail. We were promised this at Fatima. “In the end my Immaculate Heart will triumph.” As the day of this triumph approaches we must work even harder to bring it about. We will change the world.
Pilgrim Virgin Statue of the Immaculate Heart of Mary blessed by Pope Francis.
Soul
WINTER 2014
21
