CUMBERLAND/EAST PROVIDENCE—The Office of Life and Family Ministry organized two events to mark the 13th National Day of Remembrance on Saturday, Sept. 13. Normally held on the second Saturday in September, the annual event encourages the faithful to visit memorial sites and participate in prayer vigils to honor the memory of aborted children and their loss.
Both Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., and Bishop Thomas J. Tobin offered prayers and reflections at blessed burial sites dedicated to unborn babies, or those who died after birth, within Resurrection Cemetery, Cumberland, and Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Providence.
Bishop Lewandowski, speaking at Resurrection Cemetery, noted how the progression to take the life of an unborn child begins with the degradation of one’s dignity.
He pointed to the scriptural Passion Narratives to demonstrate how Jesus was literally stripped of his dignity and led to his crucifixion.
“How is it possible that Jesus could be crucified? How was it possible for the authorities of that time, the Roman and Jewish authorities, to agree to put Jesus to death?” Bishop Lewandowski asked.
“It began with a gradual stripping of Jesus’ humanity, from the moment he was arrested, tried and convicted and beaten for his clothing,” he said.
The remembrance, which was attended by several Knights of Columbus who have supported the initiative through the years, was sponsored by the St. Joseph Parish, Woonsocket, Pro-Life Committee.
Meanwhile, at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin recalled that one of the very first things he did when he became the bishop of Providence 20 years ago was to establish the diocesan Human Life Guild.
“It was intended to form a group of people to preserve and promote and to pray for the dignity of human life,” he said.
Blessing the grounds, he expressed his appreciation to all gathered for being “people of life.”
“I’m so glad the Human Life Guild continues to be present and be active and function so well. Thanks to all of you for your commitment to human life. We can be sure the Lord is pleased by your faith and your commitment.”
Father Timothy D. Reilly, pastor of St. Luke’s Parish, read a scriptural passage and offered the reflection, before blessing the gravesite of Baby Francis, so named by Bishop Tobin in 2015 after the body of a 19-20-week gestation male baby was retrieved from a wastewater treatment facility in Providence.
Bishop Tobin named the unborn child in honor of Pope Francis, who urged the faithful to change the “throwaway culture.” The bishop offered a proper burial, while St. Gabriel’s Call, Pregnancy Outreach of the Diocese of Providence, provided flowers and the gravestone, and the Catholic Cemeteries Association donated the burial plot.
The first National Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children was held in September 2013 on the 25th anniversary of the solemn burial of the remains of some 1,500 abortion victims in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After more than 100 memorial services were held across the country, it was decided to make the memorial an annual event nationwide.
Visiting the gravesites and memorial markers also offers hope and healing to women who have had abortions and people who have been hurt by abortion, especially fathers and grandparents who were never allowed to grieve the death of a child hurt by abortion.
This week begins 40 Days for Life, the world’s largest grassroots movement to end abortion, which will continue through Sunday, Nov. 2.
The Office of Life and Family is planning events to mark this important observance in the Church, including peaceful prayer vigils and Rosaries for life, held in collaboration with RI Right to Life. Visit https://www.40daysforlife.com/en/providence.
The keystone event of the observance is Human Life Guild Day, which will be held on Saturday, Oct. 4 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, Providence.
Holy Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. by Father Michael J. Najim, with Human Life Guild Awards being presented after the Mass. Brunch and presentations will proceed in the lower Cathedral.
Presenters include Christina Cirucci, M.D., chair, board of directors, AAPLOG, who will speak on the topic “Medication Abortion: Myths and Misadventures,” and Sharon O’Brien, Ph.D., executive director, Catholics for Family Peace Education and Research Initiative, who will speak on “Catholic Response to Domestic Abuse-Hope, Help and Healing.”
Advance registration is required by Fri., Sept. 26. Visit www.dioceseofprovidence.org/life for details.
Respect Life/Life Chain Sunday will be held on October 5 from 2-3 p.m. across the diocese.
The event is a peaceful and prayerful gathering and a public witness to the sanctity of human life and for the end of abortion. Local parishes are encouraged to schedule Life Chain events.
From Oct. 24-26, the Office of Life and Family will host a Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat, which is an opportunity for any woman, man, couple, grandparent or sibling struggling with the emotional or spiritual pain of abortion.
To learn more about these and other activities of the Office of Life and Family, contact Jean Ernster, coordinator at 401-278-2518, or by email at jernster@dpvd.org.
