Top photo credit: St. Rose of Lima School
By Christina Leslie
Correspondent
The eighth-grade class of St. Rose of Lima School, Freehold, have been on a Spiritual Adoption journey this year, virtually accompanying pre-born children on their path to life.
Mary Owens, a member of the Mary’s Pro-Life Ministry, and a nurse by profession, has created the program which features the progression of a growing child in the womb along with a slate of visiting speakers who share information on the importance of the sanctity of life.
“We believe it is very important to hit students at this age before their minds are molded by the pro-choice world,” Owens noted. She and the students discuss the many instances by which an unplanned pregnancy might arise, and the many challenges the mothers might face. At the start of the school year, each student is assigned a hypothetical mother and child to pray for over the course of the nine months. Students receive birth certificates for the child they prayed for and pro-life tokens.
Speakers who have shared their insights with the students included two doctors, a lawyer, a NICU nurse, an abortion survivor, a high school senior touched by China’s One-Child policy, and a woman from the Rachel’s Vineyard post-abortion healing organization.
“St. Rose of Lima School has been such a success,” Owens said. “We have also presented one-day talks in the seventh and eighth grades of St. Rose School, Belmar, and their eighth-grade religious instruction class. We are hoping to grow next year.”
St. Rose of Lima students were eager to share their impressions of the program.
Alexis Somma said, “Overall, it strengthened my belief that every life deserves compassion, respect, and protection, and allowed me to grow both intellectually and personally.”
“I loved seeing the process of how a human is formed, and I loved the way that they help you build a connection with your spiritual child,” Anthony Laura shared.
Ava Ciardiello stated, “The Spiritual Adoption Program has taught me the importance of consistent prayer and helped me grow a stronger sense of empathy for the unborn.”
“I had a great experience with the volunteers and the doctors and nurses. It’s very interesting; you learn a ton!” said Callie King.
“It’s a great program that shows people of this generation about the importance of all life, including unborn life,” said Gianna Buonamassa.