Since high school, I have been drawn deeply to the respect life
movement. Not only is pro-life activism extremely important, I have come to
know some remarkable people who have been great mentors for me. Looking back, I
think there are many ways the respect life movement has been preparing me to
become, God willing, a priest.
First, mercy. No sooner was I reminded of the heartbreak of
abortion than I was told of the mission of mercy. If I am to do anything in the
pro-life movement, I must empathize with those who have had abortions by
understanding the difficulties they have faced. I have come to know several
energetic activists and church workers who labor tirelessly to offer
alternatives to abortion and to help heal the wounds of those who have had
abortions. Not surprisingly, many people who have been involved in an abortion
and subsequent healing ministries are now themselves engaged in the pro-life
movement.
As a seminarian, this foundation of mercy has fostered within me
a strong desire to heal the spiritual wounds caused by abortion through the
sacrament of reconciliation. Priests must be men of mercy.
Second, prayer. Every aspect of the respect life movement is
permeated by prayer. Eucharistic adoration, the holy rosary and daily Mass
attendance are viewed as ways to grow closer to Christ and his Mother, who can
transform our own lives and lead others to conversion. Through these
experiences of prayer, I have developed valuable prayer habits that have
prepared me for a life of prayer as a seminarian.
Third, evangelization. People need Christ. Through “sidewalk
counseling” and prayers at abortion facilities, we have helped many mothers
find alternatives to abortion, but in most cases, we are far too late. This
realization has been a strong motivating force for me to evangelize through the
priesthood to save both eternal and earthly lives.
One activist noted how fitting it is that Our Lady of Guadalupe
is called both the patroness of the respect life movement and the star of the
new evangelization. His thinking is that evangelization in the 21st century
will necessarily touch on abortion not because it is an important part of the
faith, but because it is often an obstacle to fully embracing the faith. I hope
that through Our Lady of Guadalupe’s intercession, I will be able to bring
people to Christ as a priest.
If you feel called to do pro-life activities, there are plenty of
ways to learn and get involved. This includes prayer, educational and
legislative initiatives, as well as offering pregnancy assistance. Check with
your parish to see how you can help. You might be exactly the person your
pastor is looking for.
Perhaps you can be a motherly figure to a woman facing an
unplanned pregnancy through Gabriel Project. Maybe you are called to bring the
pro-life message to a population for which there are not many resources. Maybe
you are a student who can start a pro-life group at your school.
In any case, I have found that pro-life work is a way to deepen
your relationship with Christ and perhaps a path to a lifelong calling.
Flaherty, who is from St. Charles Borromeo Church in
Arlington, is in his second year of pre-theology studies at Mount St. Mary’s
Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md.
Find out more
Contact Diocesan Respect Life Director Amy McInerny at
respectlife@arlingtondiocese.org or call 703/841-2817.
For students interested in starting a pro-life group at
your school, go to studentsforlife.org.