Reclaiming Our Children: A Blog About Healing After Abortion

Through the generosity of a priest, I work in an empty
convent, next door to a Catholic high school in the Bronx.  It is a big building and frankly, not in the
best of neighborhoods, but I have always felt safe here even when I have had
cause not to. 

Most days, I am in the building alone except when a
volunteer is present or on the days when we have a retreat or training.  The convent, of course, has a chapel, and I
am very blessed to have Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament.

During the month of August, between business and pleasure, I
was gone for three weeks.  So,
before I left I had a priest consume Jesus because I knew no one would be
around to change the sanctuary light or spend any time with Him.

As the time approached to return to work, I contacted the
priest to ask him to please bring Jesus back so that He would be there when I
returned.  I did not want to go back into
the building without Him.  Unfortunately,
he was away on retreat so for a few days I was in the convent alone and not
feeling very comfortable.  Thank goodness
He is now back!

I am asked all the time how I can work here alone and not
be nervous.  My answer is, I am not
alone.  I work with Jesus beside me.  The same Jesus who healed me of my abortion,
who blesses me with faith and the ability to do this work by His grace.  Jesus my friend, my confidant, counselor, and
Savior. 

It is with Him beside me each day that I minister to the
post abortive.  He knows the stories and
heartbreaks of all who come to us.  In
prayer with Him and under the guidance of my director, I discern His will and
pray daily for those struggling with the pain of a past abortion, invoking Him
to bring more souls forward to experience His love and forgiveness.

I have learned not to rush Him, but to trust and allow Him
to heal in His time, not mine, for only He knows the depths of each person’s
wounds.  I pray to Him daily to keep me
out of the way, wanting only the good and healing of those who come.  I have learned to trust in Him working for
those He entrusts to us, and I have been blessed to see many reach His peace
and healing.  He hears me grumble; He
cries and smiles with me.  It is not
always easy, especially when He asks something of me I do not want to do.  But, by His grace I move forward.  Many times I fail, but I know He will then
meet me in the Sacrament of Reconciliation to begin again. 

No, I am truly not alone; for I work with the best co-worker
anyone could possibly have – Jesus Christ!