Day 16…Thanks to St. Joseph Church in Cabot & our faithful volunteers!

Pope Leo and the Rosary

            Our Holy Father Pope Leo XIV is following in the footsteps of his predecessor Pope Leo XIII in his love and promotion of the Holy Rosary. Leo XIII reigned as pope from 1878 to 1903. During this time, he penned no less than twelve encyclicals on the Rosary. Although Pope Leo XIV has served as Successor of Saint Peter for less than six months, he has already frequently mentioned this time-honored devotion requested the faithful to turn to daily praying the Rosary with great fidelity and devotion.

            On October 1 during the general audience the Holy Father noted, “As we begin October, the month dedicated to the Holy Rosary, I invite you to pray the Rosary every day for peace in the world.” Pope Leo previously also said this, “The Rosary is one of the most powerful devotions entrusted to us by Our Lady, and in these turbulent times, it remains a sure path to peace, conversion, and deeper love of Christ.” The Holy Father has announced that he will pray the Rosary every evening gathered with others in the Vatican at 7 PM each day of October. He also shared that he invites everyone to St. Peter’s Square for a public recitation of the Rosary on the evening of October 11th, “during the vigil of the Jubilee of Marian Spirituality, also remembering the anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council” in 1962 (which on the calendar of the Church was the Feast of the Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary).

            As he repeated again and again, Our Holy Father is greatly grieved by the violent wars that affect so many people today, in Ukraine, in the Holy Land and the many ways violence impacts families and nations. He teaches us that the Rosary is the “daily antidote to the poison of noise, despair, and spiritual indifference.” He also called for a slow and deliberate praying of the Rosary “thought by thought, bead by bead.” He emphasizes that the Rosary is the path to peace. He echoes the teaching of Pope St. John Paul II, who wrote that the Rosary, “although Marian in form, is Christological in nature”; it leads us through Mary to Jesus, her Son and Our Savior. Pope Leo also has underlines for us that the Rosary is a “chain that binds Satan,” offering a way to fight spiritual danger and restore peace.

            In his deep devotion and great wisdom, Pope Leo has brought forth again the power of the Rosary. Just as the Rosary eradicated the Albigensian heresy in the 13^th century, defeated the Ottoman Turks in 1571 at the Battle of Lepanto, and ended the First World War as Our Lady of Fatima promised in 1917, so too, today the Rosary will heal human heats and bring peace to the world.

            We should take up the Rosary again daily and especially pray in in common, in our families, in our parishes and in our communities. As Father Peyton, the 20^th century apostle of the Rosary, reminded people, “The family that prays together, stays together.” Pope St John Paul II taught with great wisdom, “The future of the world and the Church passes through the family.” The Rosary in the family and for the family has tremendous power in addressing the ills of our global family and our Church family. 

            Let us ask heaven’s help in making abortion unthinkable and ended, in protecting mothers in crisis pregnancies, and healing marriages and family life.  Let us pray the Rosary for the healing of all and the protection from all of the enemy’s attacks.

If we want peace, truth, love, and mercy in the world today, we should pray the Rosary. We can have our hearts healed, the hearts of leaders of nations be turned to peace, and the world transformed by a culture of life and a civilization of love. There is power in numbers who take up the Rosary of Our Mother.

Most Reverend William J. Waltersheid

Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh

Cheryl & Nikki

Lot’s of sad things to report on from this morning; The first was that a young man started arguing with Randy, when Randy told him that “abortion is murder”. The man yelled, “So what if the woman doesn’t want the ‘F-ing kid!” Then he yelled, “God bless you, Jesus loves you, “F” You!”. Okay. That was weird. Not long after that, another young man walked past, and as he walked through the circle, he picked up a paper bag that was littered there. I thought that he was being a good citizen and was going to throw it in the trash, but no…as soon as he got out of the circle, he dropped it on the sidewalk. He just wanted to keep the “sacred” circle free of trash I guess. The worst thing about this shift was a young girl who was escorted into PP by her mother and father, flanking her on either side. I told them that my grandchildren are the joy of my life, and if they save the life of their grandchild today they will never regret it. They wouldn’t talk to me however, and they walked in. As I watched them checking in at the desk, I started crying. I couldn’t help picturing my sweet, tender-hearted seven-year-old grandson, who really has a special place in my heart. I thought of little Jensen being the one who was being killed, and I just started crying for the loss of that little one. I hadn’t cried in front of PP for a long time, I thought my heart was hardened by now. I guess my emotions were just raw because of my dad’s imminent passing. In fact, when I got home from my shift today at 10am, it was clear that he was very near the end. I had time to call my siblings and my mother, and we all were gathered around his bed when he finally passed at 12:15 today. What a blessing it was to be with him till the end. And we were with those little ones who died at PP today, till the end. Thanks to all who have been praying for my dad. Please continue to pray. God bless you!

I did see a young woman leave PP by herself around 9am (too early to have already had a surgical abortion). No paper bag in her hand, and she was dressed in sweats…typical clothing for a surgical abortion bound patient. Could it have been someone who changed her mind? I hope so!

Sue & Peggy

Unfortunately it was a busy shift with women entering and leaving the abortuary. There was a Mom who took her distressed young girl in, but wouldn’t engage with me about other options on the sidewalk. It was so sad to see the young girl crying at the check in desk. By the time she went through the doors, it appeared her demeanor had hardened, but many prayers were sent for her in the hopes she changes her mind and leaves. Simultaneously there was a couple that left and the woman was crying on the way out. What a wake of destruction abortion leaves…walking wounded all around. The bright spot was all the buses of vibrant young people on some sort of field trip to the museum, it was a joy to see the happy faces and many were reading our signs. I was joined by Peggy , Randy and Linda.

Linda & Sam

There was a fall chill in the air today. Contributing to the cold was the fact that today was an abortion day, with couples entering and exiting Planned Parenthood during our shift. What struck me was that two women showed definite signs of NOT wanting to be there. One went in crying, with a woman who was probably her mother. The other woman walked past PP and stopped on the sidewalk several doors down Liberty Avenue, obviously discussing with her partner over whether to return and enter. I think our presence on the sidewalk affected her. Unfortunately that couple walked back and entered PP. No one was willing to take our information about the help available. Thank you to Peggy, Sam, Ed and Bob for their presence on the sidewalk today.

Carolyn & Cil

Thanks to Fr Jim and Diane for making it to the vigil each week!  And thanks to shift buddy Carolyn who was there with Our Lady when we arrived and said we could leave as she stayed once Pete arrived.  Together they prayed 2 rosaries and a Divine Mercy.  I was so happy to see my friend, Mary Jo from Promise of Life, show up to pray the rosary on the other side during our vigil.  She was still there when we left. We had lovely weather again.  Many people on the streets.  I was glad to be able to hand out many green cards and some Watch me Grow to those who showed interest.  We had some interesting encounters.  

A young 25 yr old black man, stopped to voice his support for us but concerns for the culture, those his age…today.  Would like to do more and maybe help us.  He wanted to give his name and phone number, which I’ll pass on.  He’s a musician and producer.  Religious too.  So encouraging! I hope we can utilize his gifts. A middle aged man from N Dakota backed up and acknowledged our 40 Days as he was familiar with it.  He said he flew for a major airline.  Stopped to show support. A taller thin blonde man stopped to debate me for quite a while.  He didn’t want resources.  It was engaging but he was all over the place with his thoughts.  When he walked away, he stopped to tell Father that there was no love in his eyes.  As if! We know better…

Joann, the homeless lady, wasn’t there today so I wasn’t able to give her the items she requested. Maybe next week. Near the end of the shift, these three vehicles showed up.  One to deliver the “blood” supplies, one to collect the samples, and the last to haul the “blood” money.  All part of the death mill  business. The one lady who must work for them stopped, put on her flashers and hurried in and back out.  Her orange shirt said something like Halloween frights and abortion rights. 

Pete & Bill