Contemplative Haven

Congratulations to the members of the Madonna House Apostolate (see links in my sidebar) for their decision to return Catherine Doherty’s “Order of Canada”, in protest against its having also been recently awarded to abortionist/abortion rights crusader Henry Morgentaler (as I outlined in this post). 

The media is covering the story today. The CBC has an article here, and CTV News has an article as well as an excellent video interview with Susanne Stubbs of Madonna House at Rideau Hall.

Catherine Doherty, whose writings I have often quoted here at the Haven and also at my other blog, “Consecrated to Mary”, received the Order of Canada in 1976, for “a lifetime of devoted services to the underprivileged of many nationalities, both in Canada and abroad”.  There is no doubt in my mind that if Catherine were alive today, she would have walked from Combermere to Ottawa to return the award, if there had been no other way.

Let us be done with human respect that bites so deep in our human hearts.  Let us cease to be bothered about what people think and worry only about what God thinks.  That is all that matters.

[Catherine Doherty: Bogoroditza, pg. 118]

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Normally when I use the tag “Canadian” on a post, it is with a sense of joy and a feeling of pride.  Sadly, this is not the case today, on our country’s 141st birthday. 

Today, to our eternal shame, the Order of Canada, the highest honour Canada awards to anyone, was presented to Henry Morgentaler (I refuse to use the misnomer “doctor” in front of his name), Canada’s abortionist/abortion-rights crusader par excellence and the dead-man-walking epitome of the culture of death. 

The Order of Canada “is the centrepiece of Canada’s honours system and recognizes a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. The Order recognizes people in all sectors of Canadian society. Their contributions are varied, yet they have all enriched the lives of others and made a difference to this country. The Order of Canada’s motto is DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM (They desire a better country).”  Well, apparently not anymore.

The Order of Canada was awarded to Henry Morgentaler (despite a huge outcry from a cross-section of Canadians several months ago and also over the last forty-eight hours) by Governor General Michaelle Jean (who herself just a few short days ago attended the 49th International Eucharistic Congress).  Is there a stronger word for shame?  It just doesn’t seem to cut it.

So much dishonour.  Dishonour to the voice of the people.  Dishonour to Saint Joseph, our patron saint.  Dishonour to the millions of murdered babies.  Dishonour to thousands of other worthy recipients of the Order of Canada for promoting a culture of life through their efforts in all walks of life, including the sciences, the arts, and heroic efforts to save the lives of complete strangers.

Where shall the word be found, where will
the word
Resound? Not here, there is not enough
silence
Not on the sea or on the islands, not
On the mainland, in the desert or the rain
land,
For those who walk in darkness
Both in the day time and in the night time
The right time and the right place are not
here
No place of grace for those who avoid the
face
No time to rejoice for those who walk among
noise and deny the voice.”
[An excerpt from T. S. Eliot’s Ash Wednesday]

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A headline caught my attention the other day:  “Canada’s worst neighbourhood”.  I won’t link to the article, but it got me to thinking that as dangerous and heartwrenching as the location mentioned may be, the fact of the matter is that the magazine got it wrong.  The most dangerous place in Canada to be living today is in the womb. 

As Ottawa Archbishop Terrence Prendergast stated in a recent message:  “Where is the most dangerous environment in Canada?  The answer is the womb!  Since the 1969 amendment to the Criminal Code concerning abortion, over three million Canadian children have been denied the right to life.” 

What do we do when faced with such staggering and brutal statistics?  Some are specifically called by God for active work in the Pro-Life cause; all of us, hopefully, are called to prayer.

In terms of sanctity of life, we are faced not only with the abortion epidemic, but with human embryonic stem cell research, euthanasia, threats to the lives of the mentally or physically-challenged, abuse of the elderly, disregard of the homeless; the list goes on and on.  Everyday, as Catholics, we are called to protect and promote the sacredness of life.

One who has recently discerned the call to a more active involvement is Hush, of Mother of the Life Within.  Currently in formation as a Lay Missionary of the Gospel of Life, Hush’s blog will undoubtedly bring us many keen insights and beautiful reflections as the sanctity of life is explored, from conception to natural death.

We have all been adopted by the Father.  Mary is our Mother.  Everyone’s Mother.  There are no,

ORPHANS OF GOD
[A beautiful and powerful song.  This is not an abortion video.]
   

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