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THE WHITE HOUSE                               WASHINGTON


       STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

Good afternoon, friends and fellow citizens. Two days ago, Americans gathered on the Washington Mall to celebrate our Nation's ideals. Today, you are gathered to remind our country that one of those ideals is the infinite value of every life.

I deeply appreciate your message and your work. You see the weak and the defenseless, and you try to help them. You see the hardship of many young mothers and their unborn children, and you care for them both. In so many ways, you make our society more compassionate and welcoming.

We share a great goal: to work toward a day when every child is welcomed in life and protected in law. We know this will not come easily, or all at once. But the goal leads us onward: to build a culture of life, affirming that every person, at every stage and season of life, is created equal in God's image.

The promises of our Declaration of Independence are not just for the strong, the independent, or the healthy.  They are for everyone - including unborn children. We are a society with enough compassion and wealth and love to care for both mothers and their children, to seek the promise and potential in every human life.

I believe that we are making progress toward that goal. I trust in the good hearts of Americans. I trust in the unfolding promise of our country - an expanding circle of inclusion and protection. And I trust in the civility and good sense of our citizens - a willingness
to engage our differences in a spirit of tolerance and good will.

All of you marching today have never tired in a good cause. Thank you for your conviction, your idealism, and your courage. May God bless you all.

                                GEORGE W. BUSH

O Mary, conceived without Sin, Pray for us who have recourse to thee.
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Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, Pray for us

Prayer for the Canonization of
Father Michael J. McGivney

God, our Father, protector of the poor and defender of the widow and orphan, you called your priest, Father Michael J. McGivney, to be an apostle of Christian family life and to lead the young to the generous service of their neighbor. 
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Through the example of his life and virtue may we follow your Son, Jesus Christ, more closely, fulfilling his commandment of charity and building up his Body, which is the Church. 
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Let the inspiration of your servant prompt us to greater confidence in your love so that we may continue his work of caring for the needy and the outcast. 
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We humbly ask that you glorify your servant Father Michael J. McGivney on earth according to the design of your holy will.  Through his intercession, grant the favor I now present (here make your request).  Through Christ our Lord.  AMEN.
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OUR FATHER, HAIL MARY, GLORY BE
Father Michael J. McGivney

Founder of the
Knights of Columbus


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The Family of God

"Sharing is an important part of every family.  Having lived in a Monastery - a Religious Family - for over fifty-five years, I have often witnessed the beauty of sharing!  The Nuns share everything . . . even germs!  Cold season in the Monastery never ceases to amaze me.  It is definitely a time of sharing.  If one Nun gets sick, you can be sure that about six other will soon come down with the same virus in a matter of days, sometimes even hours.  The healthy Nuns heroically and compassionately help their ailing Sisters!

This makes a good analogy for our relationship with the Saints.  We, who are still "pilgrims in this vale of tears" are infected with the virus of sin.  Like us, the Saints were at one time afflicted with this "virus", experiencing similar weaknesses, struggles, and trials.  Having triumphed over this malady with the Medicine of Divine Grace, the Saints serve as our examples and intercessors - ready to help their ailing family members. 

It is important for us to remember that the Saints are not "somewhere out there" enjoying the Beatific Vision, totally mindless of our struggles and temptations.  Neither do they look down upon us in disdain, horrified at our "illness."  Ont he contrary the Saints intercede for us in our difficulties and gaze upon us with love and fraternal tenderness. 

After experiencing a certain virus or cold, our compassion grows for those who suffer because of a similar illness.  So it is with the Saints.  The compassion they feel for us is very great indeed.  The Saints know our needs and understand our tears, because they once had the same needs and cried the same tears.  The Blessed in Heaven have experienced our frustrations and desire nothing more than our spiritual health.  They have fought the good fight and are cheering us on in the fight against the world, the flesh, and the devil. 

The Communion of Saints is a constant source of courage and strength.  In the Lives of the Saints, we find many examples that teach us how to come out victorious in the struggle against sin.  To overcome the temptation to omit prayer - we have the example of Saint Francis of Assisi, spending whole nights repeating: "My God and My All."  To overcome the temptation to omit a charitable act - we find inspiration in Saint Maximilian Kolbe, laying down his life for another man.  To overcome a temptation to be unforgiving, we look to Saint Maria Goretti, who forgave her murderer and desired his eternal salvation.  To over the petty difficulties of everyday living, we have the example of Saint Therese, who gave us the "Little Way" of fidelity to daily duty. 

In every circumstance of life, the Lord raises up Saints to guide us.  The patronage of Our Lady and all the Saints is sure, and their love for us mirrors God's Love.  The fraternal tenderness of the Saints help us to see the beauty of the Communion of Saints and to appreciate the bond that unites us.  

All the members of the Church make up the Family of God.  The Saints in Heaven compose the Church Triumphant.  Those in Purgatory are the members of the Church Suffering, while we, who are still "pilgrims in this vale of tears", are part of the Church Militant.  Though at present our dwelling places differ, we all share the same Father and are all members of one Family.

On November 1, we celebrate the great Solemnity of All Saints.  It is on this day that we thank the Lord for all His Saints, known and unknown, who have passed through this world like mirrors reflecting the brilliance of the Son. Let us glorify the good God for His work of Creation, Redemption, and Sanctification.  Finally, let us not forget our suffering brothers and sisters in Purgatory.  We remember them on November 2.  As members of one Family, we need to invoke the intercession of the Church Triumphant, intercede for the Church Suffering, and strengthen the Church Militant through our holiness of life. 

                                                            - Mother M. Angelica, Eternal Word Television Network, Nov. 2001

 

 

 

 

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Page Last updated:  August 30, 2003 A.D.                                                  © 2001, Dennis L. Calaway.  All rights reserved.