Today I celebrate by survival of the American Holocaust that has claimed nearly 50 MILLION innocent human lives. Children who were denied the gift of their own “birth” day. Needless to say, I am very grateful to my wonderful mother for choosing life!

Yes, I share my birthday with the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. Our Lady was so intimately linked with the redemptive work of her Son that she shared in His sufferings here on earth (Lk. 2:35) while standing by Him on the cross (Jn. 19:25). Besides our Lord, Mary is the greatest example of perseverance in suffering and is a constant source of strength and inspiration for me in my own sufferings. This feast of our sorrowful Mother, who is also now the Queen of Heaven, is a great source of hope as well, a reminder of the reward of those who suffer for the sake of Christ:

If we have died with him we shall also live with him; if we persevere we shall also reign with him. -2 Timothy 2:11-12

Our Lady of Sorrows, Protectress of the Unborn and Mother of the Americas – PRAY FOR US!