For the sake of His sorrowful passion...

Just received this email from a friend, written by Fred Berretta, a survivor of Flight 1549, to Vinny Flynn, the author of the book 7 Secrets of the Eucharist. Though this email is widely circulating, perhaps you haven't seen it:

Sat, 24 Jan 2009 2:08 pm

Subject: Passenger of flight 1549

Vinny, I sincerely hope this email finds its way to you. I was a passenger on flight 1549 and my name is Fred Berretta. You might have caught a glimpse of me or heard me on CNN or Fox the night of the crash. I interviewed with Lou Dobbs, Wolf Blitzer and Bill O'Reilly and discussed the crash that night.

I had been on a one day business trip to NY and sat in seat 16A just behind the left engine. My trip was a last minute decision the day before. I finished my meetings early on Thursday and realized I had time to attend the 12 noon mass at St. Patrick Cathedral. It was unusual for me to have the extra time, but that day I did. After Mass,I stopped by the gift shop just across from the cathedral and purchased your book, 7 Secrets of the Eucharist. As I waited to board flight 1549 bound for Charlotte, where I live, I began reading your book. I continued reading while we taxied until just after take off.

I think I got through about half of it and then decided to close my eyes and reflect on the incredible insights your book gave me regarding the Eucharist. We were climbing out and just a minute or so into the flight I heard the impact of the bird strikes and then the explosion in the left engine. I could see it on fire and the cabin began to smell like jet fuel. As a private pilot, once I realized the second engine was also not functioning, things became quite tense.

While I had known about and prayed the Divine Mercy chaplet years before, I had not really focused on it in quite a long time. Ironically, I had prayed the chaplet the day before at 3 pm. I had forgotten that in my briefcase I had long kept a copy of a booklet of the Divine Mercy chaplet which had excerpts from St. Faustina's diary. When I arrived in NY, I had some time at my hotel and decided to clean out my briefcase, something long overdue. I found the Divine Mercy booklet, prayed the chaplet, and read some of the words of Jesus to Faustina.

Before we hit the water, I thought about the words Jesus said, that nothing would be refused if asked for during the hour of mercy.* I really thought there was a good chance myself and others would die that day, but I asked God to be merciful to us, I prayed the Lord's prayer and a Hail Mary. I then prayed to St. Michael, and we impacted the water. The odds were not with us that day, but God clearly was. I believe it is the only jet airliner to successfully ditch in the water without fatalities in the history of aviation.

I just want you to know that your book gave me comfort as we were going down, and for that I am grateful. I know a lot of people prayed on that plane, and I believe the Miracle on the Hudson was a testament to the mercy of God, and a sign of hope.

Take care and may God continue to bless your ministry and all you do to spread the message of Divine Mercy and the wonders of Holy Communion.

Best regards,

Fred Berretta


N.B. Flight 1549 crashed into the Hudson River during the 3 o'clock hour (at about 3:30 pm), which Christ told St. Faustina is "the hour of great mercy." It was during this hour that His heart was pierced by a lance, and blood and water gushed forth as a fountain of mercy for the world. "In this hour," He told her, "I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion." (Diary of St. Faustina #1182, 1320.)

"Jesus, I trust in You!"

Speaking of Mexico City...

Today prolife Senators tried to make the Mexico City policy a law of the land, removing it from the whim of any one president. This would have restored dignity to America's foreign policy, made ignominious by the President's decision to allow American and foreign agencies receiving US tax dollars to promote and do abortions.

In the Senate 23 of 24 Catholics voted. Here is the Tally:

Voting consistent with a Catholic conscience (6):
Brownback (R-KS); Bunning (R-KY); Johanns (R-NE); Martinez (R-FL); Risch (R-ID) and Vitter (R-LA).

Voting contrary to a Catholic conscience and in violation of the positive obligation of Catholic policiticians (17):
Collins (R-ME) and Murkowski (R-AK); Begich (D-AK); Cantwell (D-WA); Dodd (D-CT); Durbin (D-IL); Gillibrand (D-NY); Harkin (D-IA); Kaufman (D-DE); Kerry (D-MA); Landrieu (D-LA); Leahy (D-VT); McCaskill (D-MO); Menendez (D-NJ); Mikulski (D-MD); Murray (D-WV); and Reed (D-RI).

Not present: Kennedy (D-MA).

Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World (Gaudium et spes), Second Vatican Council, 1965:
51. ... For God, the Lord of life, has conferred on men the surpassing ministry of safeguarding life in a manner which is worthy of man. Therefore from the moment of its conception life must be guarded with the greatest care while abortion and infanticide are unspeakable crimes.

Encyclical Evangelium Vitae (Gospel of Life), Pope John Paul II, 1995:
20 ... To claim the right to abortion, infanticide and euthanasia, and to recognize that right in law, means to attribute to human freedom a perverse and evil significance: that of an absolute power over others and against others. This is the death of true freedom: "Truly, truly, I say to you, every one who commits sin is a slave to sin" (Jn 8:34).

57. ... Therefore, by the authority which Christ conferred upon Peter and his Successors, and in communion with the Bishops of the Catholic Church, I confirm that the direct and voluntary killing of an innocent human being is always gravely immoral. This doctrine, based upon that unwritten law which man, in the light of reason, finds in his own heart (cf. Rom 2:14-15), is reaffirmed by Sacred Scripture, transmitted by the Tradition of the Church and taught by the ordinary and universal Magisterium.

The deliberate decision to deprive an innocent human being of his life is always morally evil and can never be licit either as an end in itself or as a means to a good end. It is in fact a grave act of disobedience to the moral law, and indeed to God himself, the author and guarantor of that law; it contradicts the fundamental virtues of justice and charity. "Nothing and no one can in any way permit the killing of an innocent human being, whether a fetus or an embryo, an infant or an adult, an old person, or one suffering from an incurable disease, or a person who is dying. Furthermore, no one is permitted to ask for this act of killing, either for himself or herself or for another person entrusted to his or her care, nor can he or she consent to it, either explicitly or implicitly. Nor can any authority legitimately recommend or permit such an action".52

Declaration on Procured Abortion, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 1991:
22. It must in any case be clearly understood that whatever may be laid down by civil law in this matter, man can never obey a law which is in itself immoral, and such is the case of a law which would admit in principle the licitness of abortion. Nor can he take part in a propaganda campaign in favor of such a law, or vote for it.

Participation of Catholics in Political Life, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 2002:
3. ... On the level of concrete political action, there can generally be a plurality of political parties in which Catholics may exercise – especially through legislative assemblies – their right and duty to contribute to the public life of their country. This arises because of the contingent nature of certain choices regarding the ordering of society, the variety of strategies available for accomplishing or guaranteeing the same fundamental value, the possibility of different interpretations of the basic principles of political theory, and the technical complexity of many political problems. It should not be confused, however, with an ambiguous pluralism in the choice of moral principles or essential values. The legitimate plurality of temporal options is at the origin of the commitment of Catholics to politics and relates directly to Christian moral and social teaching. It is in the light of this teaching that lay Catholics must assess their participation in political life so as to be sure that it is marked by a coherent responsibility for temporal reality.

4. ... When political activity comes up against moral principles that do not admit of exception, compromise or derogation, the Catholic commitment becomes more evident and laden with responsibility. In the face of fundamental and inalienable ethical demands, Christians must recognize that what is at stake is the essence of the moral law, which concerns the integral good of the human person. This is the case with laws concerning abortion and euthanasia (not to be confused with the decision to forgo extraordinary treatments, which is morally legitimate). Such laws must defend the basic right to life from conception to natural death. In the same way, it is necessary to recall the duty to respect and protect the rights of the human embryo. Analogously, the family needs to be safeguarded and promoted, based on monogamous marriage between a man and a woman, and protected in its unity and stability in the face of modern laws on divorce: in no way can other forms of cohabitation be placed on the same level as marriage, nor can they receive legal recognition as such.

Worthiness to Receive Holy Communion, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Prefect, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (2004):
5. Regarding the grave sin of abortion or euthanasia, when a person’s formal cooperation becomes manifest (understood, in the case of a Catholic politician, as his consistently campaigning and voting for permissive abortion and euthanasia laws), his Pastor should meet with him, instructing him about the Church’s teaching, informing him that he is not to present himself for Holy Communion until he brings to an end the objective situation of sin, and warning him that he will otherwise be denied the Eucharist.


For more on the political responsibilities of Catholics go to: A Guide to Catholic Teaching and Voting

No tax dollars for abortion!

In the coming days we can expect pro-abortion forces to argue that the U.S. government (i.e. "We the People") must subsidize abortions for women to truly have a "right" at all, that without tax-payer funding this so-called "right to choose" is empty.

They will call for the end of the Hyde Amendment which prevents the use of tax-payer dollars for abortion and the promotion of abortion.

Keep in mind, however, these words from the 1991 Supreme Court decision in Rust v. Sullivan:

"The Government has no constitutional duty to subsidize an activity merely because it is constitutionally protected, and may validly choose to allocate public funds for medical services relating to childbirth but not to abortion."

This is only reasonable, of course. The Bill of Rights provides a right to bear arms, but who would seriously argue that it means the Treasury of the U.S. must provide a Kimber 1911 for those who want to exercise that right.

A successful March leaving hope for the future

The 2009 March for Life occured a week ago, a stupendous witness to the continuing vitality of the prolife movement.

There seemed to be more youth and more families than ever before - indeed, an abundance of strollers. What the enemies of life don't seem to realize is that this issue can never go away, any more than the civil rights movements on behalf of women or blacks could simply fade into history. This year's March, of perhaps 250,000 by some estimates, puts an exclamation point on that truth! The fact that the main stream media had to, in some cases, "balance" their coverage by showing the three anti-life protesters at the Supreme Court, only shows the desperation and hypocrisy of the culture of death.

And yes, they had a short term victory when the President reversed the Mexico City policy in the "dead of night," as it were, 5 pm Friday when the last weekday news deadline had passed. With his al-Arabiya news interview, it would seem that President Obama's respect for the sovereignty and cultures of other nations extends to the 1 billion Moslems, but not to prolife countries like Cameroon, which is fighting the pro-abortion machinery of the UN, and soon will no doubt be fighting US taxpayer-funded population imperialists. Yes, indeed, "change" and "transperancy". Lets all just get along -- unless it offends the leftwing constituencies of the Democrat party.

So, marching for life is not over. We oogedy-boogedy voters will contine to be at it for as long as it takes. We won't lose heart. The victory is already ours, as it is God's.

The end

In this sense the 2009 March for Life has reached an end. I have just walked from SCOTUS to where the March began, at the Mall and 4th. The tail was just leaving!!! Only a few minutes ago it turned up Constitution. Give it 15 or so to reach the Court, making it a 2.5 hour long March. A great day for Life! Some concluding thoughts later.

Sent from my iPhone

No end in sight

The line of marchers is no shorter. My rough estimate? Over 200,000. I am sure the main stream media won't tell this story.

Sent from my iPhone

Before the Court

We are arrived and arriving! The endless line of warriors for life continues. Hope! Supernatural hope to be sure, but temporal hope as well. Death shall not win. Laudetur Iesus Christus!

Sent from my iPhone

The sea is moving

...and moving up Constitution Avenue toward the Capital.

Sent from my iPhone

They are legion

The 7th Street legions continued to pour into the Mall for another 30-45 minutes. Behind those I could see were an equal number...a body a mile of more in length! Now the Rally is winding down the March up. The congressmen present have affirmed their oath to life, the bishops & other clergy speakers have rallied the acolytes of life!. Everything is prepared. Soon we begin!

Sent from my iPhone

From the Mall

Standing on the Mall and looking up 7th, one can see a streetful of people running for at least six blocks, curb to curb. No, it is not the March for Life! It is the sea sustained by supernatural life, coming from the Youth Mass at the Verizon Center. Soon they will join the equal, if not greater number, already gathered before the stage on the Mall - where the Rally has begun. It is already an enthusiastic crowd. In the words of John Paul Jones, "We have not yet begun to fight!"

Sent from my iPhone

The Long March

In the 1860s St. John Bosco had a prophetic dream in which he saw a period of decline in the Church, depicted as a long march away from Rome, followed by a renewal led by the Pope, shown as a long march back to Rome. Upon arrival a glorious Te Deum (hymn of praise) is sung and peace reigns. It has been a long March for Life for prolifers and some may see recent political turns as the nadir of the movement with few hopes. Indeed, a few who voted for our new pro-abortion President have declared it essentially over. But as we gather on the Mall in a few hours we should will have real hope that a new generation of leaders will emerge who can turn the culture of death around. As for our captain? Ultimately it is the One who is always victorious, and who has already foreseen the victory and ordained it.

Sent from my iPhone

Inauguration

The new President has been inaugurated, with hope. He calls people to work together, as Americans know how, across lines of ethnicity, race and religion to build a better future.

In that spirit a truly representative group of Americans will gather on the mall Thursday to work and pray for the most disenfranchised members of society, the unborn. Our first hope, I say "our" as I will be there among them, is that President Obama won't reverse the Mexico City Policy initiated by President Reagan. This policy prevents the United States from the population imperialism of promoting abortion and contraception against the wishes of a foreign nation's people. This is often done coercively, in return for financial aid. With the exception of the Clinton years, this has been the respectful foreign policy of almost three decades. It also protects the American people, who in poll after poll eschew the radical abortion agenda, from having to pay for abortions with their tax dollars.

Our second hope is that he will not encourage the re-submission of the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) in the new Congress. FOCA would essentially federalize abortion and make abortion on demand the law of the land. This would overturn state regulations that regulate clinics, require parental consent, or informed consent. Such a law he has previously promised the abortion radicals. Yet... it would not be governing from the center, and so we hope.

Our third hope is that he will not change the delicate balance forged by the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy in the military, by which homosexual service members who do not openly announce or act on their homosexual orientation may serve. This is not, as many argue, a civil rights issue. It is a unit cohesion issue, and the President should defer to the wisdom of the military leadership, and not the gay rights movement. This movement wishes to mainstream the homosexual lifestyle as morally legitimate, and to use the military as a vehicle to do so.

So, as the March begins for a new administration it also begins in the battle for life and family. Join us on the Mall, or in prayer, and watch this space for live blogging during the March for Life on Thursday 22 January.

St. Sebastian pray for us!

SPQR

Dictator non est

In ancient Rome whenever an emergency arose the Senate appointed a "Dictator" whose words (dicta) would be law for the duration of the alloted term, after which he would surrender his authority to the two Consuls who ordinarily governed the Republic.

On the eve of the Inauguration of a new President, the national economic emergency may seem like it calls for a dictator, or a savior, but fortunately for this Republic President-Elect Obama is not one. He will struggle as all presidents do to control his own party and to win over the opposition. He will do things that his countrymen will admire and others which they will disdain. We hope and pray that he will protect all human life from conception to natural death, though his legislative history and his appointments so far give us little such hope.

Yet, the office can change the man, and so as he begins his term we offer him our prayers, and our support in those things in which we can.

St. John Neumann, pray for him and for our land.

SPQR

Legions will "March for Life"

The Roman, Evangelical, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, atheist, and agnostic legions who agree on this one thing, that reason and science teach that Human Life begins at Conception, will be marching in Washington DC next Thursday in the annual March for Life.

As has occurred every year since the U.S. Supreme Court wrongly decided in Roe v. Wade that human life was subject to gradations of the right to life, prolife Americans will gather on the Mall for a Rally at Noon before the March. If you can't be there, then you can follow it on EWTN radio and television, including live streaming at ewtn.com. Since I will be there, I will be sharing my thoughts of the March in this blog throughout the day.

"Qui tacet consentire videtur" (St. Thomas More)

He who is silent is seen to consent

St. Thomas More, pray for us and for our country!