7 of our Favorite Mother Teresa Quotes

 

On the first anniversary of her canonization and the twentieth anniversary of her death, we are reflecting upon Mother Teresa’s beautiful understanding of the inherent dignity of the human person.

In an op-ed for the Washington Times, March for Life President Jeanne Mancini recalled the stirring plea that Mother Teresa gave in her speech at the National Prayer Breakfast in 1997, just shortly before she passed away.

“Please don’t kill the child. I want the child. Please give me the child. I am willing to accept any child who would be aborted and to give that child to a married couple who will love the child and be loved by the child,” shared Mother Teresa.

During her lifetime and to this day, the world admires this woman of faith for the love and care she showed for each and every person, including the unborn. We all could take her example and wisdom to heart.

Enjoy and be inspired by some of our favorite Mother Teresa quotes or “words of wisdom.”

1. “Abortion is profoundly anti-woman. Three-quarters of its victims are women: Half the babies and all the mothers.”

2. “If you want a love message to be heard, it has got to be sent out. To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it.”

3. “It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish.”

4. “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”

5. “Any country that accepts abortion is not teaching its people to love, but to use violence to get what they want. That is why the greatest destroyer of love and peace is abortion.”

6. “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”

7. “In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love.”

 

As the new school year gets started, we hope each and every student will take to heart the words of Katrina Gallic at the 2017 March for Life.

“Fellow youth of America, fellow college students – this is not someone else’s problem. Indifference is not an option; ending abortion is our responsibility.”

Here are three ways you can make an impact for life on your campus this year:

1. Stay Informed

There are many excellent resources to keep up with pro-life issues and news so you can answer objections and represent your beliefs well (you can stay in touch with the March for Life on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram).

While you may face abortion arguments from professors or teachers, it’s also important to remember that you are not alone in your pro-life beliefs.  In fact, according to Barna Group polling, 53% Millennials think abortion should be illegal in all or most circumstances. Millennials and post-millennials are increasingly a pro-life generation, so the odds are that many of your classmates support the right to life.

Don’t be afraid to speak up with an informed and gracious voice for your pro-life beliefs!

>>>> Read more in “We are the Pro-Life Generation.”

2. Get Involved

There are many ways to get involved in the pro-life moment. Check out the list of ideas on the March for Life website, such as volunteering at your local pregnancy resource center. As a student, first and foremost check to see if you have a Students for Life group on your campus – this is a great way to connect with fellow pro-life students and impact your school for life. You can also check out the great resources from Feminists for Life for college students.

Don’t have a group at your school? Consider starting one! As one pro-life student who started a pro-life group at his high school shared with us: “The tide is turning, but it falls upon you and me to ignite that flame within our communities, one heart at a time.”

>>>> “Learn more about Anthony’s story in Rams for Life: The Tide is Turning.”

Will you be that flame?

3. Be a Friend

Perhaps most importantly, in your conversations and relationships, whether it’s with a close friend or a classmate who’s an acquaintance – strive to be the person that they would come to if they found themselves facing an unplanned pregnancy.

Yes, it’s important to have our pro-life facts and arguments in our back pocket, but it’s infinitely more meaningful to wear our love, compassion, grace, and mercy on our sleeve. You can absolutely change the world if a pregnant friend approaches you and you let her know by your words and actions that she is loved and her baby is loved.

>>>> See how these students supported a classmate in need during an unplanned pregnancy.

Do you have other ideas or a story to tell? Drop us a message at info@marchforlife.org or on social media. Best wishes for a life-affirming school year!

 

With Labor Day right around the corner, if you’re a college or high school student, it’s likely that you’re already back at school, or will be soon.

Goodbye, summer; hello, new school year.

Starting a new school year always presents new challenges and opportunities, especially if you’re a pro-life student. That being said, are you looking for some inspiration?

WATCH Katrina Gallic address her fellow students at the 2017 March for Life –>

She goes on to share:

“Our battle begins where we have the most influence – within our own hearts. The pro-life battle begins with the daily decision to live by the truth that every life in every stage is beautiful; dignified, and demands our love and our protection.

There will be times when we are ridiculed and rejected for standing for life. But we should never cower!

We can stare into the face of this injustice and have hope, for we know we fight for the truth.”

Whether you are a student, or not, we can all agree with Katrina’s final remark –

“We all look forward to the day when we will return to our nation’s capital not to march against the evil and injustice of abortion, but to celebrate victory of a new culture of life!”

Now let’s get to work spreading the message of respect for life to all those around us!

>>>> Watch the full clip of University of Mary student Katrina Gallic’s 2017 March for Life speech below ->

 

Did you see the CBS news segment on Iceland “eliminating” Down Syndrome?

The sad truth of the matter is that Iceland is not preventing or eradicating anything but rather terminating nearly 100% of their babies who receive a prenatal diagnosis of Down Syndrome.

We took to social media immediately to share the message that every life is a gift, and that the elimination of individuals with Down Syndrome is sickening and a form of eugenics.

Yesterday, our March for Life President Jeanne Mancini had an opinion editorial published in the Washington Post on this story. In it, Jeanne discusses the inherent dignity and value of every individual, including those with Down Syndrome.

>>> People with Down syndrome are happy. Why are we trying to eliminate them

Sadly, Iceland is not alone but is rather leading a world-wide trend. Babies who receive a positive Down Syndrome prenatal test in the United States are terminated 85% of the time.

Earlier this week, Jeanne also had the opportunity to discuss this issue and how to work towards a culture for life with Liz Wheeler on OAN News. (Click the image to watch the brief video.)

Thankfully, there are many groups and organizations that are working to support individuals and families of children with Down Syndrome. We are working to showcase such wonderful resources this week through the media – check them out HERE!

 

Guest Blog Post by Jessica Whitsitt

In case you haven’t heard, CBS News is reporting that Iceland is “eliminating Down Syndrome.” When you dig a little deeper, you realize that they are actually aborting almost 100% of children with Down Syndrome.

>>> Click to learn more about March for Life’s response to the story:

As a mother of a sweet perfect boy, who also just happens to have an extra copy of his 21st chromosome, it breaks my heart that many people believe a baby like mine is unworthy of life. Why do babies with Down Syndrome not deserve life? Is it because they are not typical? Because their life can have more challenges that are not their fault or that they can’t control?

This is why I believe children with Down Syndrome are being aborted – fear of the unknown. And unfortunately, the medical community does not provide adequate information for parents facing a diagnosis, and often offer abortion as a first option. To counteract this fear, allow me to share what it is like having a child with Down Syndrome.

Your first emotion is fierce protection over them. You want to protect them from the cruel world and pray that they will not come across someone who will make fun of them for who they are and what they cannot control.

The second emotion you will feel is fear, because you don’t know what to expect.  Down Syndrome comes in a wide spectrum. Some children are high functioning and they can drive, hold down jobs and live on their own. Some may have heart problems, or not be able to take care of themselves. But all of these symptoms are manageable and our society has greatly advanced in the care and opportunities available for children and individuals with disabilities.

Now we have been very, very lucky. Our son is the healthiest boy I’ve ever seen. He is almost one and never been sick. He seems to be on the high functioning side, but that doesn’t mean there are not challenges. He doesn’t crawl yet. He has not gotten his first tooth. He refuses to eat anything but puréed food. He only started sitting up last week. But so what? He’s going at his own pace and I want him to.

I truly believe Down syndrome children, as well as others with disabilities, can teach us more than we can ever teach them. From them, we can learn compassion, love, and patience. These beautiful souls like my son are the most loving people. They have an appreciation for life that others tend to forget; they do not mourn some life they wish they had.

It is us, those “normal” people, that are the ones who forget to stop and smell the roses, that get caught up in comparing ourselves with our friends and family.  Since my son was born, I no longer see the world through just my own eyes, I see them through his.

I want my son to know every day that he’s loved, adored, celebrated and that it is ok to be different. Isn’t that what life is all about? How boring if we were all the same! The richness of life is in learning, growing, and becoming a better person. I strive to be a better person every day for my son. He deserves it. Not because he has the perfect amount of chromosomes, but because he is a person with inherent value and dignity, not so different from you and me.

>>>> For more information on Down Syndrome and other chromosomal disabilities, click HERE.