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HERALD Staff Writer |
ARLINGTON — A common epitaph on the pro-life memorials being erected
around the country is Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew
you, before you were born I dedicated you."
Others herald original, stark messages such as one simple headstone which shows the picture of a baby’s face under a cross and reads, "Tomb of an Unborn Baby who had no choice, whose tiny feet will never walk, known only to God. May God have mercy on us for the millions killed by abortion."
One thing many of these memorials have in common, besides their public pro-life statements, is that most are supported and constructed by the Knights of Columbus.
Knights Councils throughout North America have responded to New York Cardinal John O’Connor’s 1992 suggestion that Knights should begin erecting memorials to unborn children.
Cardinal O’Connor spoke of this idea during the opening Mass of the Knight’s 110th annual Supreme Council Meeting at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, attended by 2,000 Knights and their families and Mother Teresa. Cardinal O’Connor was inspired by a memorial to unborn children at the Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio and thought it was an effective witness to the pro-life cause.
Seven years later, more than 1,700 different local units have reported the establishment of a memorial to unborn children, including 20 in Virginia.
The latest of many pro-life memorials in the Arlington Diocese is at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Arlington (pictured in above photo). Father David C. Rahn, parochial vicar, has been working on establishing a memorial at the parish since he was assigned there in 1997.
Working with the Cathedral of St. Thomas More Knights of Columbus Council, of which both he and Father Robert J. Rippy, pastor, are members, plans and fundraising began. Major fundraising was done through the sale of Christmas trees at the parish, combined with donations from parishioners.
Father Rahn says the project was truly the fruit of the labors of the whole parish. After the funds were established, he asked for help from the pulpit in the actual construction of the memorial, which began August 1998. While some parishioners were searching the Internet for artists and materials, others were clearing the alcove by the church, making way for the new pro-life memorial and prayer garden.
"The parish response was great," said Father Rahn. "They literally put blood, sweat and tears into this project."
The circular walkway and garden includes a granite statue of the Madonna of the Streets, done by an artist in New Hampshire. Underneath the statue are the words, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you."
Father Rahn views the memorial as a place of prayer.
"It is here that the people of God of this parish can come and pray for pro-life intentions, whether it be an end to abortion, an opening of minds to the detrimental effects of contraception or end-of-life decisions," he said. "Here, at the memorial, they can put their prayers before the Lord."
Bishop Paul S. Loverde of Arlington blessed the memorial at Our Lady of Lourdes Church on Sunday, Sept. 19, following the noon Mass.
Copyright ©1999 Arlington Catholic Herald, Inc. All rights reserved.
This article was published in the Arlington
Catholic Herald,
200 N. Glebe Rd., Suite 607, Arlington, VA 22203; Vol 24, No 37,
page 5, dated September 16, 1999.
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A note from the Web Master:
It is noteworthy and honorable that some folks are willing to stand up for a ban on Partial-Birth Abortion. Let us not forget that ordinary everyday run of the mill abortion is also murder. We must understand that aborting the life of a baby is murder no matter the method. Because one method of abortion seems to be horrible does not make the other methods less so. We should be horrified and sickened by any abortion regardless of the method. The Fifth Commandment spells it out clearly:
"Thou shalt not kill."
A fetus is a person, a human being with a God given soul.
Imagine the pain the Lord must feel when any abortion occurs. Please
contact both of your Senators and Representative, via letter or phone,
to let them know how horrified you are that abortions are legal and to
stop, once and for all, Partial-Birth abortions and all other abortions
as soon as possible.
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