By Archbishop Thomas Wenski - The Archdiocese of Miami
Archbishop Thomas Wenski preaches during the Holy Hour for Life he led at St. Mary Cathedral the evening of Jan. 28, 2021, as part of the 9 Days for Life observance on the anniversary of the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion in the U.S.
Women religious pray the rosary during the Holy Hour for Life led by Archbishop Thomas Wenski at St. Mary Cathedral the evening of Jan. 28, 2021, as part of the 9 Days for Life observance on the anniversary of the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion in the U.S.
Accompanied by two deacons, Archbishop Thomas Wenski prays before the Blessed Sacrament during a Holy Hour for Life at St. Mary Cathedral the evening of Jan. 28, 2021, as part of the 9 Days for Life observance on the anniversary of the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion in the U.S.
Accompanied by two deacons, Archbishop Thomas Wenski prays before the Blessed Sacrament during a Holy Hour for Life at St. Mary Cathedral the evening of Jan. 28, 2021, as part of the 9 Days for Life observance on the anniversary of the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion in the U.S.
Faithful take part in the Holy Hour for Life Archbishop Thomas Wenski led at St. Mary Cathedral the evening of Jan. 28, 2021, as part of the 9 Days for Life observance on the anniversary of the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion in the U.S.
Little Flower in Coral Gables hosted a Holy Hour for Life the evening of Jan. 25, 2021, as part of the 9 Days for Life observance on the anniversary of the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion in the U.S.
Parishioners of Little Flower in Coral Gables take part in a Holy Hour for Life the evening of Jan. 25, 2021, as part of the 9 Days for Life observance on the anniversary of the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion in the U.S.
Father Guillermo García-Tuñon, president of Belen Jesuit Prep, holds up the monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament as parishioners of Little Flower in Coral Gables take part in a Holy Hour for Life the evening of Jan. 25, 2021, as part of the 9 Days for Life observance on the anniversary of the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion in the U.S.
Parishioners of Little Flower in Coral Gables take part in a Holy Hour for Life the evening of Jan. 25, 2021, as part of the 9 Days for Life observance on the anniversary of the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion in the U.S.
Photography: IZZY RENELLA | FC
Archbishop Thomas Wenski preached this reflection during the Holy Hour for Life observed at St. Mary Cathedral Jan. 28, 2021, as part of the archdiocesan observance of 9 Days for Life to mark the 48th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion.
26 years ago, Pope Saint John Paul II stated in Evangelium Vitae: “Laws which legitimize the direct killing of innocent human beings through abortion or euthanasia are in complete opposition to the inviolable right to life proper to every individual; they thus deny the equality of everyone before the law.” (EV #72) No human law can validly contradict the Commandment, “Thou shalt not kill.”
Photographer: IZZY RENNELLA | FC
Archbishop Thomas Wenski preaches during the Holy Hour for Life he led at St. Mary Cathedral the evening of Jan. 28, 2021, as part of the 9 Days for Life observance on the anniversary of the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion in the U.S.
In 1973, the Supreme Court ignored the facts of human life in the womb, as well as the facts about abortion’s negative effects on women, to find a constitutional “right” to abortion. But abortion is not a right – it is a terrible wrong! Each year on the sad anniversary of this Supreme Court decision, thousands march from the Mall to the Supreme Court. This year, because of COVID, the March for Life is happening virtually – and this Holy Hour from St. Mary’s Cathedral in Miami is one way we can come together – even as we stand apart – to pray for an end to legalized abortion; and we ask God to heal and reconcile those scarred by abortion – especially mothers who mistakenly saw abortion as a “solution” to a problem.
Today, this Holy Hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament takes place on the feast day of St. Thomas Aquinas, the Angelic doctor. The Church owes a great debt to St. Thomas for his teachings that have had a profound influence on our understanding of the doctrines of our faith, including the Great Mystery of Faith which is the Holy Eucharist. The hymns most often used during Adoration are the O Salutaris, the Tantum Ergo, Adore te Devote. These hymns were composed by St. Thomas Aquinas. Thank you, St. Thomas, for helping us to give voice to our faith in Jesus truly present in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
I invite you to silently pray before Jesus. We can even pray without words. For example, once St. John Vianney asked one of his parishioners, a poor farmer, what he said to Jesus in the long hours he spent before the Blessed Sacrament. He replied: Father, I say nothing to him. He just looks at me, I just look at him.
However, to give some structure to your prayer tonight, may I suggest using the acronym, ACTS. All prayer falls into one or more of the following categories: Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving and Supplication. Take the first letter of each word and you get A-C-T-S, ACTS.
So, let start with Adoration. Spend some moments adoring Christ. We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you, for you have redeemed the world.
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