I have so many dreams as a writer. This post fulfills a dream that for so long seemed too wonderful to even hope for. This is my first piece in post-Roe America.
How beautiful is it that the first day of this new period in American history falls on the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary? As people fear that women’s rights are being trampled, the heart of a woman is honored throughout the world.
Although yesterday was the day for which I’ve been longing and praying for as long as I can remember, it was also a day that I had frankly been anticipating with some cowardice. There are lots of angry people in the U.S. right now and I honestly don’t know what the headlines will be by the time this post shows up in your inbox.
But lately I’ve been deeply moved by Mary’s identity as warrior maiden. At Fatima, she promised, “In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph.” The battle for the end to abortion is far from over, but we know that our mother will lead us to victory.
As we rejoice in the triumph of yesterday’s decision and press forward in advocating for total protection for the unborn and their mothers, I want to present a Litany of Courage that asks the intercession of the Immaculate Heart. Come, Holy Spirit!
Lord, have mercy on us……..Lord, have mercy on us
Christ, have mercy on us…….Christ, have mercy on us
Lord, have mercy on Us……Lord, have mercy on us
Father, Author of all life…..we adore you
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus…….we adore you
Holy Spirit whose Love casts out fear….we adore you
Response: Give us your heart
Mary, whose immaculate heart was free from sin…Give us your heart
Mary, whose heart reflected the beauty of the Triune God…
Mary, whose heart was radiant with purity…
Mary, whose heart was fearfully and wonderfully made…
Mary, whose heart began to beat at six weeks in Ann’s womb…
Mary, whose heart obeyed when the angel said, “Do not be afraid…”
Mary, whose heart said yes to an unplanned pregnancy…
Mary, who crushed Satan’s head with her “Yes”…
Mary, whose heart is a warrior heart…
Mary, whose heart pumped blood to the unborn Jesus…
Mary, whose heart believed that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled…
Mary, whose heart did not waver as she gave birth in abject poverty…
Mary, whose heart broke at the screams of the Holy Innocents and at their mother’s wails…
Mary, whose heart trusted when its piercing was foretold…
Mary, whose heart remained at peace even when she did not understand…
Mary, whose heart sacrificed everything for love of her neighbor at Cana…
Mary, whose heart rejoiced in the Eucharist…
Mary, whose heart remained united to Jesus in His agony…
Mary, whose heart consoled Jesus during His Passion…
Mary, whose heart felt every scourge, thorn, and nail…
Mary, whose heart forgave those who taunted her…
Mary, whose heart forgave her child’s executioners…
Mary, whose heart was pierced, yet unwavering as she cradled her son’s dead body…
Mary, whose heart overflowed with unspeakable joy when she beheld her risen Son…
Mary, whose heart received and nurtured the Apostles…
Mary, whose heart beats in heaven…
Response: Immaculate Heart, triumph
Over all American hearts…Immaculate Heart, triumph
Over all fearful hearts…
Over hearts fearing persecution…
Over hearts fearing their safety…
Over hearts of Supreme Court Justices and their families…
Over hearts of pregnancy resource center employees and all who work in the pro-life movement…
Over hearts of clergy and religious…
Over hearts who are called to defend the Eucharist…
Over hearts that are lukewarm or complacent about abortion…
Over hearts who have been led to fear an America without abortion…
Over hearts who do not know the sacredness of human life…
Over hearts of abortionists…
Over hearts of mothers who have suffered abortion…
Over hearts of fathers who have suffered abortion…
Over hearts of the young pro-life generation…
Over hearts of the generation who fought and continues to fight…
Over hearts of all legislators…
Oh Blazing Heart…lead us into battle.
Oh Pierced Heart…break our hearts for all that has been lost through legalized abortion.
Oh Crowned Heart…lead us to victory.
Amen.
Living Full Throttle 