Reclaiming Our Children: A Blog About Healing After Abortion

Tuesday will be a very special day here in the Bronx, New York, as we celebrate in thanksgiving to God for the gift of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal who have been recognized as a religious institute of pontifical right.  After a Mass at Sts. Peter and Paul, there will be a block party at St. Crispin’s Friary, sure to be filled with music and joy!

I am very blessed to have known the Friars since the late eighties in their beginnings, when they numbered eight men. Many a Saturday morning, Father Benedict Groeschel, CFR, and Father Herald Brock, CFR, were on hand to pray with us in front of the Women’s Medical Pavilion, an abortion clinic in Dobbs Ferry, New York. Those were days filled with the fire of the Holy Spirit as faithful pro lifers and wonderful clergy like the CFR’s, Bishops Vaughn and Lynch and, of course, Monsignor Philip Reilly, joined us in prayer and protest.

In the years of Operation Rescue, it was not uncommon for the Friars to speak at our rallies and face being arrested with us, or visit those thrown in jail for blocking the doors of the clinic. I can still remember to this day when Father Fidelis Moscinski, CFR, and Bishop Lynch were arrested at the same clinic.

I have also been very blessed to work closely with many of the friars for many years as we reach out to those hurting because of a past abortion (too many to list but, you know who you are!). I can never thank them enough for the support in the work, always asking what they can do to help. To this day, they are faithful to the ministry and I am so grateful for their love and presence to the women, men, and sibling we serve.

They have also been instrumental in the direction of the ministry as they provided guidance in the development of “Entering Canaan” and so many other works I have been involved in. I am convinced the work would not be where it is, if not for the spiritual guidance of Fr. Conrad Osterhaut, CFR and Fr. Mariusz Koch, CFR, over the past more than twenty years. Fr Marius’ generosity in the men’s ministry has been a tremendous gift, as well as his assistance in trainings for clergy in post abortion healing.

Just one look at the church packed with youth for Catholic Underground, or their response to those in need at the door of a Friary , not to mention their many other ministries, can make any heart fill with hope.

It has been amazing to watch the Friars grow from eight men to well over one hundred. Admittedly, I don’t even know most of them anymore, they come from and are from all over the world now, and as I get older they get younger!

Last week as I attended the first mass of some of the newly ordained, I sat in awe and truly wept tears of joy and gratitude to God for this great gift to His Church.  

Many blessings and prayers on you Friars.  Thank you for the gift of yourself to us all. We love you!