Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Feast of the Holy Innocents

It seems appropriate that on this day I received an email from a friend who is expecting a child in the spring; a prenatal test revealed a possibility of Down's.
It was a relief to see that she intends to keep the baby, no matter what. So many innocent little ones are aborted because of the possibility of this condition.
On my heart today, then, are my friend, her unborn baby, and their whole family, for the strength to accept and endure whatever God has in store for them; and also those babies who are never given the chance to be born.
This morning at Mass, Father observed that the "Holy Innocents" of today's world are not only the unborn but all those who are not wanted, those who are considered worthy of nothing better than being thrown away.
I am reminded of children with spina bifida, who not even ten years ago had no chance of walking, and whose parents less than ten years ago were encouraged to abort; now there is a prenatal surgery available that can dramatically lessen the effects of spina bifida. One such child is a member of our extended family. This seven-year-old girl had such a severe spina bifida that doctors predicted total paralysis from the waist down--but thanks to the prenatal surgery, she walked ON HER OWN to receive her gifts from Santa on Christmas Eve this year.
Miracles that can be accomplished by God, whether through the gifts He has given medical personnel or through pure divine power, can never be predicted. Who are we to decide that a child--a Holy Innocent--does not merit such a miracle?

Please join in a Novena for the Unborn. Via A Catholic Life.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I will pray for your friend as well- but to encourage her, I have two close friends who were told they were having children with downs, and through prayer, and God's perfect plan, both children were born perfectly healthy. On the other hand, I actually have a cousin with downs. It's been a life long challenge for my aunt and her family, but I know they wouldn't trade him for the world, he is a compelte joy to us all. He is a truly happy boy...almost man now. So much, as you point out, can be done for children. There are so many more options than discarding the "unwanted"- all are precious to the Father.

Matthew said...

This is Moneybags from "A Catholic Life". Thank you very, very much for spreading news on the novena for the unborn. And, thank you for linking to my blog. I'd like to return the favor.

God Bless and thanks

Barb Szyszkiewicz said...

I'm glad to do it.
I figure with prayers, more is better! I'm glad you provided the novena on your blog.

Steve said...

I'm with Martha on this Barb,
My sister was told the same thing about two iof her children, and her kids are all fine. The test itslef is pretty inconclusive, and if you plan on keeping the child anyway, most Doctors will tell you not to take the test because of all the "loopholes".

Jennifer said...

My ds was conceived while I was on Accutane. I was strongly urged by 3 Dr's to abort. I refused.
I wore the miracalous medal everyday and prayed for St. Catherine to perform a miracle.

My ds is perfectly healthy. I was so grateful my youngest dd's name is Catherine.

I will pray for your friend.