Tuesday, January 22

Thanks to Kathy Shaidle at Relapsed Catholic for bringing this excellent takedown of Daniel Jonah Goldhagen's New Republic piece to our attention: It's in the Jewish World Review.
A good person to read about today:

Blessed Gianna Molla, a physician, wife and mother who died in 1962:

In September of 1961, at the age of 39, Blessed Gianna was pregnant with her fourth child when physicians diagnosed a large ovarian cyst which required surgery. The surgeon suggested that Gianna undergo an abortion in order to save her own life. Gianna's decision was prompt and decisive: "I shall accept whatever they will do to me provided they save the child." She underwent the surgery but her fate was sealed. The following year, on Good Friday, Gianna was admitted to Monza Maternity Hospital. Her daughter, Gianna Emanuela, was born the next day but Blessed Gianna expired seven days later, on April 28, 1962

She was beatified in 1994, and in 1997 her daughter Gianna Emanuela, herself a physician...

...gave the following testimony at Maracana Stadium in Brazil during the Second International Celebration of the Family (1997). "Dear Mom, thank you for having given me life two times: when you conceived me and when you permitted me to be born… My life seeks to be the natural continuation of your life, of your joy of living, of your enthusiasm, and it finds its full meaning in the engagement and dedication to whoever lives in suffering. Dear mom, intercede always for all mothers and all families who turn to you and entrust themselves to you."

Today is the feastday of St. Vincent Pallotti, who said, among many other things, the following:

Remember that the Christian life is one of action; not of speech and daydreams. Let there be few words and many deeds, and let them be done well.

We could keep those words in mind as we remember that today is also the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion in this country for any reason through all nine months of pregnancy. Action - not just speech, and not daydreams. Action. Prayer, assistance, lobbying, education, and whatever else you can think of to save lives. Here are some links:

Feminists for Life of America

The Ultimate Pro-Life Resource List

Crisis Pregnancy Centers nationwide

Abortion and Breast Cancer: The untold story.

Some of my writings on life issues.