If I remember well that according to the old nomenclature, today we are beginning Pre-Lent, meaning immediate preparation for Lent. Therefore, there is still some time to rethink Lenten promises and to take up the challenge which this time of the year throws onto believers.
Following Lenten pattern, I would like to invite you to be especially mindful of our unborn sisters and brothers. The Church gives us during that special time three general ways also called, not without a reason, the most important good works. They are, as you all know, prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
Regarding prayer, I advise, just like during Advent, 10 minutes of prayer every day for: children, parents and doctors. I leave you and your mercy to determine the type of the prayer you wish to offer. It can be, for example, the rosary, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament or reading the Bible. It?s also good to attend daily Mass and offer that great prayer and communion received at that Mass for children in need.
Fasting, seems to be an almost forgotten spiritual practice (I hope I am wrong thought). Every time I think of fasting, I have in my heart a passage from the Gospel, where Christ says: ?This type of (unclean spirit) can be cast out only by fasting and prayer?. I cannot get rid of the thought, that such a crime which is killing an innocent child under the mother?s heart, has to have some kind of a diabolic origin. Of course, fasting is not only abstaining from eating meat. It is also refusing something that brings one pleasure with the intention of offering this to God, in our case for the unborn children. Clearly, I do not count here our ?usual? Friday abstinence from meat, unless one fasts only with bread and water on Friday. One could also fast on Wednesdays during the Lent.
The third element is almsgiving. Practically speaking almsgiving in our case can simply be when we use the money that we have saved on food (because of fasting and eating less) or on abstaining from our little pleasures (movies, pizza) we give it to one of the organizations that protect life. I propose here a method of a ?Lenten jar?, in which we keep our saved money. One can also get some extra money and reserve a Mass for the intention of unborn children, their parents, their doctors, and for those who support and fight for life. The Mass itself consists of all of the three points. We have here prayer, almsgiving and fasting (attending Mass instead of some kind of a pleasure). Moreover, everyone has an opportunity to donate one percent of your tax return to PRO-LIFE organizations, which are registered as organizations of common good.
Of course, it would be wonderful if one could combine all of the practices and so pressure the heavens about the unborn. I wouldn?t like to impose anything on anybody, but simply make and appeal and trust your mercy and sensitivity regarding the matter. Therefore, I am writing to you, whomever you are, and are reading these words. I am writing to you like a beggar, on behalf of those who have no voice. I am writing to you, so you can engage in prayer, fasting and almsgiving for the unborn. If you decide to take up the challenge, please contact me by sending me a private message (Kontakt). Just like during Advent I will make a list of those who have committed to the cause. If you reserve a Mass for the above mention intention please write me where this Mass will be celebrated (city) and when (the date and time).
I also encourage all children to engage in this form of prayer. The prayer of children must have a better way to heaven.
Please, pray about my proposal and your Lenten commitments. Then contact me. On behalf of the children I thank you and may the Lord repay you.
We will begin on Ash Wednesday (February 22), and we will end on Good Friday (April 6).
I know that we will enter into the sacred Triduum, but the mystery of Good Friday perfectly fits into illegitimacy of abortion.
(tłumaczenie: ks. Dawid Kwiatkowski, Macon, Georgia)