Reclaiming Our Children: A Blog About Healing After Abortion

So, tomorrow is our advent retreat in the "Entering Canaan" ministry and our theme for this year is "Blessed be the Fruit of your Womb, Jesus!"

It is based from a painting done by the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance, and to me speaks so beautifully of the comfort of Mary, and the expectation of the birth of Christ for sinners.

Here is our Altar scene:

There are so many beautiful things about this picture. The tenderness of Mary, her had on eve's face and the placing of eves hand on her pregnant belly, as if to say, "Don't worry, your Savior is being born!"

If you look at the bottom of th epainting, the serpent has eve in his grasp wrapped around her leg, but Mary will not allow his victory , and her foot is crushing his head.

So too Mary speaks to those of us who have had an abortion…"Don't worry, your Savior is being born…the birth of Mercy!"

What better advent theme can there be as we await with joyful anticipation the coming of Jesus.

You can order this beautiful painting  made by the Trappistine nuns of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance at Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey. Their main means of support is the production and sale of Trappistine Creamy Caramels and other items. If you are interested in buying the cards on which this image is located, please check out: http://www.monasterycandy.com/Catalog_&_Store (under "cards") and support the Sisters!