September 30, 2016: Today's Catholic newspaper of the Archdiocese of San Antonio * Del Rio comes together for National Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children
Del Rio participates in the National Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children
On September 10 at 3:00 p.m. the Del Rio Christian faith community came together to participate in the National Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children to honor the gravesites and memorials of our Unborn Brothers and Sisters.
Solemn prayer vigils were simultaneously conducted throughout the country at grave sites for aborted children, of which there are 50 across the United States, as well as at dozens of other sites dedicated in memory of aborted children, like the one here in Del Rio.
The event took place outside the Knights of Columbus Hall on the grounds where a Memorial in Memory of all Unborn Infants is located at 3804 US Highway 90 East.
Those present were blessed with an overcast sky which provided cover from the otherwise sweltering September sun and a cool and refreshing breeze swept throughout the area producing a comfortable environment for the ceremony.
The event was spearheaded by Joseph and Aracely Cordova, the designated couple of the Culture of Life ministry from the Knights of Columbus San Felipe Council 2687 and Eduardo and Jessica Peña of Del Rio for Life.
Eduardo Peña presided as the Master of Ceremonies.
The ecumenical prayer vigil began with Bible readings and reflections given by Father Eugene Theisan, Chaplain at Laughlin Air Force Base, Pastor Robert Hooker from First Baptist Church, Father Cesar Betancourt, Parochial Vicar at St. Joseph Church and Deacon Manue lLimones from St. Joseph Church.
Scripture readings were selected from those posted on the official website of The National Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children, AbortionMemorials.com.
Father Theisan began the prayer vigil with an Opening Prayer, followed by Father Betancourt who gave a meditation in English and Spanish on Exodus 23:7b, then Pastor Hooker gave a reflection on Psalm 139 and Deacon Limones explained James 1: 22-27.
Father Theisan offered the closing prayer and blessed the Memorial for Unborn Children and three children placed flowers and toy gifts in memory of the unborn children.
Leslee Eastwood provided the musical accompaniment throughout the ceremony and Rosie Aguilar and the volunteers from Amistad Pregnancy Care Center had an informational booth set up at this event.
The prayer vigil was followed by a Bilingual, Pro-Life, Living Rosary coordinated by The Legion of Mary.
Representatives from organizations from the Catholic Parishes in Del Rio; Our Lady of Guadalupe, Sacred Heart and St. Joseph participated in reciting the prayers of the Rosary.
The Legion of Mary with members from the Catholic Parishes prayed the Apostle’s Creed and all the Glory Be and Our Father prayers of the Rosary.
The Knights of Columbus with members from the Catholic Parishes prayed the three Hail Mary’s, meditating on the three divine virtues of faith, hope, and love.
Dr. Marian Casillas, President of the Legion of Mary, Our Lady of Good Counsel Curia, read the English and Spanish Pro-Life Meditations on the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary and the Litany in Response to Abortion by Father Frank Pavone, Director of Priests for Life.
The First Decade was prayed in Spanish by representatives from Sagrado Corazon from Our Lady of Guadalupe and Our Lady of Schoenstatt from St. Joseph
The Second Decade was prayed in English by representatives from The Little Handmaids of Our Sorrowful Mother with members from the Catholic Parishes and Teen A.C.T.S. from Sacred Heart.
The Third Decade was prayed in Spanish by representatives from the Guadalupanas from Our Lady of Guadalupe and Homeschooling Families from St. Joseph.
The Fourth Decade was prayed in English by representatives from Men’s A.C.T.S. from Sacred Heart and Youth Group from Our Lady of Guadalupe.
The Fifth Decade was prayed in Spanish by representatives from Las Pequeñas Siervas de Nuestra Madre Dolorosa with members from the Catholic Parishes and Divina Misericordia from Our Lady of Guadalupe.
The ceremony concluded with Mr. Peña thanking everyone present for their participation in praying for our Unborn Brothers and Sisters.
Submitted by Marian Casillas, Ed.D.