Pope thanks CELAM for outreach to help women heal following an abortion

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

“I am happy to welcome you to this house of Peter and of the whole Church, on the joyful occasion of your 25 years of service to people whose suffering is indescribable.”

Pope Francis underlined this while addressing the Esperanto Projectza (the “Hope Project”), an initiative of the Latin American Episcopal Council (CELAM), which accompanies women who have aborted a child to heal and experience God’s mercy.

The arrival of each newborn, the Pope observed, is generally synonymous with a mysterious joy that invades us and renews hope. “It is as if we feel, without being able to explain it,” he added, “that each child announces the Birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, the desire of God to dwell in our hearts.

It is perhaps for this reason, declared Pope Francis, that “the Lord, in the pedagogy of his Gospel, wanted to make us participate in a pain which, as the antithesis of this joy, shakes us brutally “.

In this context, the Pope then cited verses of Scripture that describe the unimaginable suffering of mothers who lose their children.

“Trust in Saint Joseph”

Expressing gratitude for their accompanying work, the Holy Father reminded his predecessors that, for many people, they are like angels.

Before concluding, the Holy Father urged them to let Saint Joseph empower their efforts.

“Place your trust in the firm hand of Saint Joseph,” he said, “so that our sisters can find Jesus in their desolation.”

“With him,” he continued, “they will reach the warm and safe home of Nazareth, where they will be able to experience the interior silence and peaceful joy of being welcomed and forgiven within the Holy Family.”

The Holy Father gave them his Apostolic Blessing and prayed that the Holy Mother, the Tota Pulchracover them with the splendor of his mantle.