RU-486--From China, with love?

My NYTimes email this morning bore a headline I wasn't expecting, "Tainted Drugs Tied to Maker of Abortion Pill." The article reveals how the pharmaceutical company, the Chinese state-owned Shanghai Hualian, is at the center of grave scandal after over 200 cancer patients treated with the company's contaminated leukemia drugs have experienced permanent paralysis or other harm.

Upon further examination of the report, one learns that Shanghai Hualain is the SOLE provider of the abortion pill, RU-486, to the United State. (In the past, France had provided the U.S. with the pill.)

The New York Times reported that RU-486 is manufactured at a different factory than the leukemia medication, and that that factory had passed FDA inspections...yet later in the article it is revealed that employees in the factory that is now under sever scrutiny lied in the past about procedures and lack of standards in their work environment...leading one to wonder what goes on in the factory manufacturing the abortion pill. This, however, shouldn't come as a shock.

Doesn't it make sense that the most unregulated business in the United States, the abortion industry, would receive 'supplies' from poorly regulated factories and businesses abroad? Taken from the Times:

"When told of Shanghai Hualian’s troubles, Dr. Sidney M. Wolfe, a leading consumer advocate and frequent F.D.A. critic, said American regulators ought to be concerned because of accusations that serious health risks had been covered up there. “Every one of these plants should be immediately inspected,” he said."

Even the U.S. distributor of RU-486, Danco Laboratories--which does not report a street address--would not return calls from the NYTimes inquiring about standards relating to the manufacturing, handling and distribution of RU-486.

So, to recap, we now know that RU-486 in the U.S. is exclusively imported from China (which which was not public knowledge in the past).

Furthermore, there is now MORE evidence to question the 'safety' of RU-486. We know that this pill terminates the life of an unborn child...and it is proven that it can be harmful and even life threatening for women, causing pelvic infection (which has lead to death) and sever hemorrhaging, among other side effects.

Yet, what of the emotional aftermath?

The former chairman of Roussel-Uclaf (the French company which developed RU-486), Edouard Sakiz told the French newspaper Le Monde:

"As abortifacient procedures go, RU-486 is not at all easy to use. ... True, no anaesthetic is required. But a woman who wants to end her pregnancy has to 'live' with her abortion for at least a week using this technique. It's an appalling psychological ordeal."63

Catherine Euvrard, formerly a spokeswoman for Roussel-Uclaf who now holds the same job for the new French manufacturer of RU-486, Exelgyn, has said: "When [women] take a pill, they have the feeling they are truly responsible for the abortion. ... [There can be more] psychological pain."64

"During this critical two-week period [between 49 and 63 days] the tiny embryo in an amorphous sac begins to look very much like a baby, with a discernible head and limbs. ... Nurse Frenpzel remembers a day ... when she ... saw six surgical dishes with six embryos in them by the sink. 'It was upsetting,' she said. 'It was like looking at a little row of people. The women too were shocked when they looked at what they had expelled."65

"You have to be very confident to choose this method. It may be physically more natural, but psychologically it hits you much harder. You preside over the killing of a baby, completely unblinkingly. For women who are confused or vulnerable, and of course, so many are in this position, it is really terrible."66

One woman in U.S. trials was hospitalized for depression after attempting suicide.67

Clearly, it is time to Re-Think RU-486...


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63 Interview, "Drug firm defends marketing strategy on abortion pill," Guardian Weekly (U.K.), August

19, 1989, at 16.

64 F. Vrazo, "In Europe, 'Abortion Pill' Has Not Met Expectations," Philadelphia Inquirer, August 25, 1996, at A01.

65 Louise Levathes, Hippocrates, February 1995, at 45.

66 "One Woman's Experience," London Evening Standard, December 4, 1993.

67 Lisa Rarick, M.D., of the FDA's Reviewing Division, testimony before the Reproductive Health Drugs Advisory Committee, Hearing Transcript FDA, July 19, 1996, at 134.

(Reported by RU486Facts.org)

A Captivating Quote

"To be Queen Elizabeth within a definite area, deciding sales, banquets, labors, and holidays; to be Whitely within a certain area, providing toys, boots, cakes, and books; to be Aristotle within a certain area, teaching morals, manners, theology and hygiene; I can understand how this might exhaust the mind, but I cannot imagine how it could narrow it. How can it be a large career to tell other people's children about the Rule of Three, and a small career to tell one's own children about the universe? How can it be broad to be the same thing to everyone and narrow to be everything to someone? No, a woman's function is laborious, but because it is gigantic, not because it is minute."

~ G.K. Chesterton, What's Wrong with the World

One of the last quotes Stasi Eldredge uses in Captivating, I couldn't help but tear up a bit when it hit me...that a man could so poignantly capture the nuances of mothering, and brilliantly shine forth the truth of this selfless vocation.

Perhaps it is just that time of life when things start to make sense--lately I've come to the frightful epiphany that friendship with women is absolutely key! Why frightful? I think I've denied myself the essence of this gift for such a long time...and finally, even as I begin to scratch the surface--what joy!

Just as men complement women and women complement men...men must learn to be men from other men...and women MUST learn to be women from other women! We live in such fabulous, confusing times: everything is at our fingertips, yet that which is most precious, relationship, seems so far away.

As I walked to the train station the other day sporting my rubber boots, I couldn't help but splash in a perfect puddle--and as I did so, right before my eyes I saw my daughter...or should I say, I imagined the daughter I desire to have one day. She was so perfect, about 3 years old, with her own pair of rubber boots and a little yellow rain coat, and messy curls, just like her mom. She just looked at me and smiled as we played in the rain together.

It was a rather bizar vision to receive at 7:49 a.m., as children were not on my mind in that moment, but it was a joyful sight.

Now, I suppose if in the heart of every woman is mother, and the gift of women is to nurture, we best get around to understanding this gem. What better way than to be with other women? To learn from our mothers...or those whom we know have embraced wholeheartedly the gift of motherhood?

I can see little Rose Marie still splashing in the puddle, as Chesterton affirms that it is ok to be everything to someone...

These Ladies Know the Truth

Above are pictured two of my favorite ladies, Keri and Claire. These two inspire me by both their joy and conviction. Note the signs they held, "Roe vs. Wade: Indefensible", as they stood happily before the Supreme Court building on January 22nd to be visible witness to the dignity of unborn life and the treachery that abortion causes millions of men and women nationwide.

Claire and Keri, along with their 41 peers who journeyed from Chicago for the 35th March for Life, represent the future of our nation, particularly the future of what it means to be women. These ladies have not sold out to the lies of Planned Parenthood or Ms. Magazine. They have embraced the truth of their own dignity as women, and the irreplaceable role they play as women in society. I am absolutely proud of them and all the students I was blessed to journey to D.C. with last week, and I am convinced that the abortion movement and contemporary feminists are afraid--and they should be!

I've been on a hiatus from Stasi Eldrege's Captivating for several months, but just yesterday I picked it up again. The truth Stasi speaks of in this book about the gift of femininity and the need for women to heal from the wounds dealt them both by society and even those they love is so profound and speaks to my heart.

Men and women are wounded by our culture, by the lies of the Sexual Revolution, contraception, instant gratification and moral relativism. Both men and women need to be healed, and the healing is unique for either sex. What Stasi talks about for women is perfect: that women must know that their first love is the Lord, know that all of their desires and needs are met in the Lord. Once women allow themselves to be pursued by God, once they accept His unconditional love and healing...then they will be free to find happiness and joy in the vocation to which they are called, be it marriage, consecrated life or single life.

I think my generation is catching on to this truth. I am humbled to be part of the daughters of the King to whom this is so lovingly revealed. I know that I am complete in the Lord, and anything beyond this is free gift...

So this post goes out to all the ladies I know and love, both here in the city and around the country...Pope John Paul II was right, we are the Salt, we are the Light...our generation has been blessed, and we can be the Face of Christ, if only we say Yes with Marian Humility and Joy!

Witness to Hope

I've been on a hiatus from blogging these past 10 days or so...frantically yet joyfully preparing for a pilgrimage to the 35th Annual March for Life in Washington D.C.

This is the 5th year I've lead a group of students to D.C...and my 9th consecutive year pilgrimaging to commemorate with sadness, yet hope, the Roe vs. Wade Anniversary, which legalized abortion at every stage of development of the unborn child in the United States of America.

Not only did this year prove the most amazing journey for me personally, but more humbling was the experience I had with the students who traveled with me. I lead a group of about 43 college and university students, along with a wonderful priest, Fr. Matt Compton, from Holy Name Cathedral as well as a fellow colleague from the Archdiocese, Dennis, and two delightful Jesuit Scholastics, Sam and Sean.

This year I was privileged to intimate and painful conversations with some of the students, demonstrating to me how deeply abortion and the culture of death penetrates our society. Yet, each conversation and encounter was a witness to hope...it was a grace! Although I was intellectually, emotionally and spiritually drained after this weekend, I praise God for the experience, and for allowing me to be an instrument of His mercy and grace.

Not only were we able to pray at a D.C. abortion mill, attend the Cardinal O'Connor Conference at Georgetown University, pray with thousands of Catholics at the Vigil Mass for Life at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and do some lobbying on the Hill...more amazingly we were all witness to and part of the witness that this rising generation is a generation of life! One could not deny the majority marching in a ceaseless wave of pilgrims, over 230,000 people, along Constitution Avenue were young adults, teens and children...it was phenomenal.

This year I felt a spirit of hope and prayer I hadn't felt before. I saw joy and peace and conviction that will serve to overturn Roe...and more importantly, blossom into the strength and courage it will take to convert hearts and minds to embrace the culture of life.

As I left the Dubliner post March for Life, glad to have enjoyed a great lager and met up with national and international pro life leaders and friends, I made my way to Union Station. There before me, clear as day, arching over Union Station, was a glorious Rainbow. I could not help but rejoice, knowing in my heart this was surely a sign, and that the Lord does hear our prayers...just as after 40 days of flood, Noah was gifted with a Rainbow as a sign of the covenant, perhaps God was gifting the pro-life movement for our perseverance, letting us know that soon, if we stay faithful, this country will embrace the dignity and sanctity of every human life!

Gianna...again

For some reason St. Gianna is really present to me lately. I think perhaps it has to do with this being January, the month we commemorate the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which legalized abortion.

Gianna herself chose to bear her unborn child, although this meant her life would be severely endangered--and about a week after the birth of baby Gianna, the mother passed from this life unto her eternal reward.

In this day and age, the understanding of what it means to be wife and mother are severely confused. So often, I hear good friends, in response to questions about a woman's occupation, respond, "She's just a stay-at-home mom." What?? "JUST" a stay-at-home mom? It perplexes me that society can so grossly misunderstand the absolute necessity of many women to be at home with their children.

My favorite quote from St. Gianna is "With Jesus in our hearts, we bear joy." This is something I yearn to live by. There is never a day that passes without my acknowledging and confronting the abortion issue. I've had many close associations with crisis pregnancies, and abortion has touched me deeply, leaving an empty place in my heart that only God's love can fill. Yet, this inspires me to dedicate my energies to the Gospel of Life.

Women have been ordained by God to participate in the miracle of life in a most intimate way...yet the culture calls it a curse. What a poverty! With just a little faith, this can be overcome.

Today as we celebrate and commemorate the Baptism of the Lord, let us remember in an intentional way the millions of children who have been denied their right to life. May the Lord bless and protect mothers and wives, and imbue them with the strength and courage to protect life, and the willingness to give their all in the spirit of perfect love, particularly when it comes to the life of a child. Sweet St. Gianna, pray for us!

Choose to Love

The rallying call of St. Gianna Beretta Molla was "Love is a Choice."

I desire to be loved, and to love. Sometimes, though, fear can paralyze that desire. What if I make the wrong choice? What if I pursue the wrong path? Will God be angry with me? Will He withhold grace? No, this cannot be.

Perhaps the reason choice is so difficult is because we are helplessly flawed, as Joe March (Winona Ryder) remarked to Professor Bhaer (Gabriel Byrne) in the 1994 film version of "Little Women." But being helplessly flawed is a consolation! It means we can find freedom in our imperfection--if regarded rightly. If our motivation is love, if our intention is born out of love, then we ought not be afraid to make a choice--God is not going to smite us! I think the saints would agree that if an option is morally acceptable and appropriate to one's state in life, then under the right circumstances it could never be a 'wrong' choice.

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Today during Mass I was given a little gift from St. John:

"There is no fear in love,
but perfect love drives out fear
because fear has to do with punishment,
and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love." ~ 1 John 4:18

It seems that fear is the antithesis of love. In that case, it must be cast out! I adore how in his letter John refers to us as 'little children,' for didn't Christ say that unless we become like little children, we shall not enter into the Kingdom of God? We must have the faith and the love of a child: simple, pure, trusting.

Imagine holding an infant in your arms. He is beautiful, his eyes sparkle. He reaches out to touch your face, and then withdraws to snuggle close to your chest, secure in your embrace. All he knows is you, and all he knows to give you is his trust, his love.

In a similar manner may our relationship be with our Heavenly Father. He wishes to embrace us with love, and all He asks in return is love. St. Gianna was right. Love is a choice, it is the most difficult choice, but in the end perfect love casts out fear.

Peaceful Man

"Poor wand’ring one
If such true love as mine
Can help thee find
True peace of mind
Why, take it, it is thine."

So Lovely! Producer Lizzie Gottlieb recently finished a documentary about her brother, entitled "Today's Man." Nicky, who has a form of autism, Asperger’s syndrome. It is really endearing to read about the struggles and joys the Gottlieb family has encoutered over the past 29 years of Nicky's life.

At the end of the film, which will air on many PBS networks nationwide tomorrow evening (January 8, 2008), Nicky sings the simple verses quoted above.

So many of us are wandering, seeking, searching. It reminded me of Pascal's wisdom. And, how perfect to infer that true, pure love imparts peace...and better yet, to freely offer it.

Honestly, peace and love are what the heart desires. So much of our lives are spent searching, restless! I know I am restless, always fighting to find out what comes next, but seldom am I still, seldom do I live in the moment.

Perhaps that perfect love of the Creator, if we are humble enough to accept it...will impart that peace we seek. I beleive it will! We can truly receive the gifts of love from those around us, when we once and for all fully accept the Trinitarian Love so selflessly offered to us at every moment.

Revelation

Epiphany, n. 3: a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.
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Today we celebrate the Epiphany, with a capital "E," traditionally the day we consider Christ reveling Himself to the gentiles, the non-Jews. Yet, I think there is something to be said for the daily 'epiphanies' that are made manifest to us.

If definition three holds any bearing, then an epiphany may occur at any moment. Do we take those epiphanies revealed to you seriously?

Recently, my greatest epiphany has come through the simple truth of my job. I work in the pro-life movement, and have many responsibilities. Yet, I am convinced that over the past 8 or so months, I have not let myself live my vocation in the moment. I am constantly perusing or seeking something else...I do my job well, but I am not convinced that I've lived my mission with all my heart.

Just the other day I met with a young man who is assisting me with a particular apostolate. I was so uplifted by his spirit and dedication, and renewed in my own dedication to the ministry.

I am absolutely sure that each day the Lord sends at least one epiphany our way...one simple lesson meant to point to the Divine, to renew our energy, to empower us to carry on...but if we are not quiet enough, we may miss it.

That is why the Lord is the perfect Lover--He never gives up! He will continue to reveal truth to us, no matter how long it takes for us to receive the truth He wishes to share.

May we all embrace the Incarnate Light...and each day have the courage to accept the rays of light that are our own personal daily epiphanies.

What Seekest Thou?

"There are only three types of people; those who have found God and serve him; those who have not found God and seek him, and those who live not seeking, or finding him. The first are rational and happy; the second unhappy and rational, and the third foolish and unhappy.” ~Blaise Pascal

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I was first introduced to my teacher, Pascal, a little less than a year ago. What I appreciate most about his beautiful work, particularly Pensees, is that he is able to give little gifts to ponder and meditate upon.

Perhaps this year will have an ethos of contemplation for me: indeed it is something I pray for! What I adore about this quote from Pascal is how those who are seeking God, although they have not been fulfilled, although they are unhappy, are rational. There comes a point though, when rationality must give way to Faith--and that moment is when one finally fully allows God to reveal Himself!

Perhaps Pascal is implying the complementarity of rationality and Faith. Are not there many persons who refuse to accept what they cannot prove? Yet, perhaps that gift of human reason may be one of the most fabulous gifts we've ever been given. By free will, we are given the opportunity both to accept and reject God. Through reason, we are provided the insight to abandon ourselves to Faith, or remain bound by the insecurity that reason becomes when guided by pride and not love.

I am still a humble student of Pascal's! Let the master guide you...as I am convicted that through Pascal (and any humble servant of the Lord) one is afforded insights that will lead to Him whom we seek, Eternal Love personified...our Hearts Desire, the Lord Himself!

Conversation à Dieu

"If a lover is unable to speak the language of the beloved, then he or she must learn the other's language, however difficult it may be. Otherwise their relationship could never become a happy one; they would never be able to converse with each other. So it is with mortifying oneself in order to love God. God is spirit: only a mortified person can in some way speak His language. If you do not want to mortify yourself, then you cannot love God either." ~Kierkegaard

"Deus Caritas Est." ~Benedict XVI
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If Kierkegaard and Benedict are both correct, there is much to ponder here! Recall Simone Weil, the intuitive Jewish Philosopher of the early 20th Century who died so young, in solidarity with her fellow Jews imprisoned in concentration camps. Weil had a profound understanding that in order to understand love, one must suffer. While we do not know if she ever made a conversation to Christianity, she had distinct insights into suffering which were philosophically quite Christian.

The language of love is the language of sacrifice. Note the total self-giving of Christ upon the Cross...for love of humanity.

Love demands conversation, communication. The most perfect example of this, as we learn from Aquinas, is that eternal self-giving conversation of the Trinity. I like to contemplate how we, as humanity, were born out of the fulcrum of that Trinitarin Love. It is a marvelous truth to ponder, and I beleive the Virgin Mary pondered this in her heart quite often.

Love gives...and so to truly love, we must be willing to give of ourselves. Our first love is God, and when we are in right relationship with Him, we are in right relationship with others! This is why Kierkegaard's insight on mortification is so important. We must be willing to mortify ourselves, to sacrifice in order to be in communication with the Divine Lover...

Once we can scratch that surface, a world of possibility becomes open to us, and the depths and the richness of authentic love become a gift we are ready to ponder.

When we order our love rightly, when we place the Divine first, all others fall into their right place, and we learn of the true glory of perfect love.

Ad Christum

“The bread which you do not use is the bread of the hungry; the garment hanging in your wardrobe is the garment of him who is naked; the shoes that you do not wear are the shoes of the one who is barefoot; the money that you keep locked away is the money of the poor; the acts of charity that you do not perform are so many injustices that you commit.” ~ St. Basil the Great

Today is the feast of St. Basil and St. Gregory Nazianzus. The two men were phenomenal theologians, phenomenal friends. I would venture to guess that Gregory would agree entirely with the words of Basil quoted above.

It is funny, in our contemporary era we often think there is so much to be said that hasn't been said, but I believe that is false. There is no book one could write that has not already, in a sense, been written. What is needed is a new 'translation' of ideas that are age old. That is why books...writing...are so important. The truths written upon the hearts of men often must be revealed in an explicit, contemporary way: and some of us are called to reveal truths for others in this way.

The words above, of Basil, ring true to me...and I hope they do so for you. There is so much poverty in our world, if not material, then truly spiritual. May we spend our lives combating poverty, for the sake of the Kingdom.

Ad Jesum Per Mariam

Ave Maria gratia plena, Dominus tecum!

The Solemnity of Mary...how perfect to begin a new year honoring the Virgin Mother, and Celebrating the octave of Christmas. May the world embrace Total Consecration to Jesus, through Mary in a profound way this year.

Totus tuus Maria!

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Pilgrimage lead me to St. John Cantius for Tridentine High Mass at Midnight. It was glorious and served as a great tool for reflection, both over the past year and looking ahead to 2008. In his homily, the priest was very convicted both about our ability to cooperate with God's grace in choosing to live holiness, as well as having the courage to accept radically the vocation to which we are called.

It has become very clear to me lately how deep seeded sins against chastity are in our culture. Every offense against chastity hurts the one who commits the sin...and the entire Mystical Body of Christ. This is why we must consecrate our new year to the Virgin Mary...

It is She who was conceived free of Original Sin, and She who best gives us the example, alongside Christ Himself, of how to live a pure and holy life. We must be champions of purity and chastity in our world, no matter our life's vocation. We must steer clear of conversations, entertainment and company that compromise chastity. This is a resolution that will be a challenge for me--for surely my pride dictates that I can withstand the temptations of a given situation. Yet, is not the gift of purity worth guarding with vigilance? And will not our good example encourage others to make a similar resolution?

Pope Benedict recently said that the world needs pure minds, pure persons who refuse to compromise--truly counter-cultural disciples. Those who accept the Holy Father's challenge, which is ultimately our Gospel call, will be authentic witnesses of the New Evangelization.