On the Road to 2012: An Exclusive Interview with Karen Santorum

9/18/2011

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it.

Before Gabriel, I thought I was pretty strong and could handle just about any cross. Any cross except the death of a child or a sick child, I told the Lord. Don't give me those! But I've gotten both! Our crosses come in all shapes and sizes, but we're better because of them. All you can do is embrace the cross God gave you and thank Him for it, because there's definitely a reason. Even in the worst times God's light shines through and He is working.

Family, Faith and Church

Karen dreams of getting 8 hours of sleep someday. For now, she's up by 0600 and doesn't quit til midnight.

JH: How do you juggle all the demands of the campaign and family life and still keep your sanity?

KS: It's not easy. It's a cross to do without Rick at home these days. He's on the battlefield right now fighting the battles God wants him to fight. The only way I get through it is daily mass and keeping my prayer life in order. Daily mass, prayer time, family rosary; these things give you strength and I notice a real difference. I know if I'm not there I won't be able to walk this walk.

JH: Any advice on passing the Faith on to our children? What have you and Rick done that's worked well?

KS: It's a work in progress! They're not going to get the Faith if you don't live it. Live it with a lot of love. If you talk, but don't live it, or maybe there's anger, they're not going to get it. You have to live it. The family rosary has been a beautiful thing for our family. It's the time we can all come together again and you're praying, and offering your prayers for so many other people.
The most important thing is, do it with love. Always with love, never with force. You just can't teach the Faith without the love of Christ. It has to be infused with love.

JH: Why be Catholic in 2011? Isn't the Church outdated and full of criminals?

KS: God's truth never changes. No matter how modern we get or where we are technologically, God's truth is the same throughout the ages. We can still be pure in the middle of a modern world! The terrible betrayals and disgusting scandals have served to prove one thing: God is in charge. Despite the sin and failings of men over the centuries, God is still in control and we're still here. We are human and we're going to fail and make terrible mistakes, but God is leading His Church. We can never forget His love and mercy.

~~~~~~~~

As I finish writing this, the Church is celebrating the feast of the Triumph of the Cross. My time with Karen left me keenly aware that I'd met a woman who knows the Cross intimately. She knows the suffering and the pain, yet she is radiant with hope, overflowing with Love. She understands that embracing and carrying our cross always leads to triumph. Her strength and faith are, quite bluntly, awe-inspiring. It is abundantly clear that Rick is forged by that same fire, and possesses the strength and courage born of a deep love of Christ and His cross. That, folks, is a house built on rock.

That's the stuff great leaders are made of.

* I highly recommend Karen's book, Letters to Gabriel, which chronicles the entire story of little Gabriel's life and death.

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Jennifer Hartline is a grateful Catholic, a proud Army wife and homeschooling mother of three. She is a contributing writer for Catholic Online. Visit her online at Wake Up, Deborah! and MCH.
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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Rick Santorum, Karen Santorum, Presidency, campaign, 2012 election, Republican candidates, Pro-Life, Pro-Family, Jennifer Hartline

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1 - 10 of 10 Comments

Theresa H.
1 year ago
Would that all American homes had the spirit of the Santorum Family! Rick Santorum gained a little ground in the FL straw pole today, but he is still quite a bit behind. Nonetheless, I'm supporting him...and pray God's will be done for our Country! (Happy the people whose God is the Lord! [Ps 144:15]) I also think we do well to emphasize the Natural Law when we are debating with non-Catholics out and about.... Comparatively few people understand this "Law" that all Americans and all peoples are obligated to follow by "nature's God." Is it any wonder that we are in such dire straights, and activist judges have started removing the Ten Commandments at the bidding of a few who hate God, midst the more-or-less silence of most of the rest of us? It is time for us to stand up and peacefully protest!
"G.G." a pro-life Catholic
1 year ago
Thank you Robert for expressing my beliefs...From this moment on I will learn all I can
about Rick Santorum and support him....After viewing Fox News yesterday, I knew that
Rick Santorum stood above the other candidates with his faith and honesty...He was not afraid to express his belief in GOD...I pray that American Catholics will not allow
themselves to be led astray again as they did in voting for Obama..My prayers for Rick Santorum and his family....
MarkM
1 year ago
Is R.Santorum Catholic? I just don't understand why this website for Catholics is making such a hard polical push for a candidate. Seems like we shouldnt be led astray by politics, but still Im curious why the pseudo-endorsement.
David Carlon
1 year ago
I don't know Mr. Santorum but I suspect he is a decent man which will disqualify him from serious consideration for POTUS. That being said, it appears the Lord has passed judgment on this wicked and depraved nation, as the reptile heretics posing as Christians are transparently clueless as leaders... "What do you mean by crushing my people, and grinding down the faces of the poor? says the Lord, the GOD of hosts." The atheist liberals murder the unborn and the fascist and Christian in name only republicans starve and murder our children in endless wars of profit... their avarice and lust is never satiated.
Robert Burford
1 year ago
They are too good for politics They are a model couple of good Catholic values. It is unfortunate that my State has a primary so late in the season.He will be forced out by lack of campaign funding or resolve because his message of hope will be sound bited out of existance by the campaign advertisements of those he opposes.He may not win but he will have my vote and prayerful support. The important thing to note is that he will influence the attitude and issues of the election, because the real electorate out in the heartland want sacramental marriage between a man and a woman.They are offended by the fact that Planned Parenthood benefits from tax dollars. They are offended by abortion. Because of their lack of "ego" and sevant attitude I will vote and financially support them if I get the opportunity.God Bless them!
Linda
1 year ago
Everything you said, Robert, is exactly how I believe. Thank you for saying it
so well. This article just sealed it for me. My prayers will be constant for him
(them) as they are completing the call that they have prayed for for a year.
I believe with our prayers and our actions we can open doors for him to be heard, and that his torch for truth spoken in clarity will begin to transform his listeners in to believers as well.
Liz
1 year ago
Should have mentioned that Karen Santorum has written a wonderful book for children called Everyday Graces - I bought them a couple years back for my grandchildren and this is book is truly awesome. Both Rick and his wife are special blessings - we need more people like them in our world today.
Liza Koon
1 year ago
LOVED this article!!!! I did not know about Bella!! What a beautiful witness they are to the beauty of the cross. Can we even dare dream of such a righteous president and first lady! Thank you for this article. Their story needs to get out there!! I was so excited about the Bob Turner win today in such a liberal district. I know Santorum would win if people start ignoring the polls and naysayers. More articles like this are what we need!! Thank you again!!
Donald Steinfelt
1 year ago
Awesome Video! Has my prayers and my vote.

Sent with a prayer.

Don S.
Robert
1 year ago
Dear fellow christians and catholics,

Rick Santorum can help our country repair its moral compass.

I ask you to support his campaign for president. If all you do is "Not vote for Obama" you will be supporting Santorum. I am a conservative republican from Texas and I support Rick because of his pro-life, pro family- traditional marriage, a balanced budget( not adding to the amount of debt passed on to our children), pro legal immigration, anti illegal immigration, pro business positions. It is clear from the article above that he is a terrific father and husband.

Please support his campaign if for no other reason to strengthen the weight his views hold within the republican party and the whomever the nominee may be.

Please support his campaign as you will be strengthening the voice of the unborn.
Please support his campaign as you will be strengthening the voice of legal immigrants. Please support his campaign as you will be strengthening the voice that marriage is between one man and one woman.

I pray that more men like Rick Santorum run for public office and uproot the evil that permeates within the walls of White House as they support abortion, gay marriage, illegal immigration, free contraceptives, anti christian rhetoric, sex ed for our children based on their secular beliefs, and free handouts to keep the poor dependent on the government with no hope of or need for personal responsibility.

I support Rick's campaign because he lives the Catholic faith he practices. He is not afraid to call himself a catholic and act like a catholic.

I have never met Rick nor his family. I have studied his positions and have concluded, I have spent a small amount of my God given treasure in support of a man who's platform supports the teaching of our heavenly father.

My prayer is that american catholic examine vote for people who will uphold the teachings of our Lord.

"...may God's will be done on EARTH as it is in heaven...."

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