Proclaiming the Gospel of Life on the Temple Steps of Columbia University

Invited by Columbia Universities courageous Pro Life Group, we entered the lion's den to speak of the truth of abortion and its devastation, not only in the death of our children, but to countless women, men, grandparents and siblings.

P>BRONX, NY (Catholic Online) - In this Easter season we are reminded of the "Acts" of the apostles through the readings at mass. I love the "Acts", and the readings about the transformation of these men from fearful creatures to people willing to proclaim the truth - no matter what the cost. Jesus had changed their lives. I can relate.

That is because I see how Jesus has changed my life, from a painfully shy woman, full of fear, to someone who openly speaks of her abortion.

I have seen Him change the lives of other women and men as well;  Women and men, who have been transformed by the forgiveness and mercy of Jesus Christ, and who speak out in truth through groups such as Silent No More.

We are told, the apostles spoke to the people and the people "came to believe" because of what they saw and heard. It was with this in mind, that I set out with Colleen Barry, a NY Regional Coordinator, and Mary Kominsky, a fellow post abortive woman, to do a Silent No More in the main quad of Columbia University in New York, one of the most, if not the most liberal universities in the United States.

Having publically given my post abortion testimony for fifteen years, I have become pretty adapt at kicking myself out of the way and allowing God to speak through me, trusting He will provide the words, but I have to admit, when it comes to the streets of Manhattan, or the likes of Columbia University, not only do I have to kick, I have to drag myself there.

My "feelings" of trust seem to disappear. All that is within me shouts "no", and it becomes a battle, a raging within. While my spiritual self says "Be not Afraid" my human self says "why are you doing this to yourself.no one will listen anyway".

Thanks be to God, I have come to recognize this tactic of the devil, and proceed in spite of my "feelings" knowing hearts will be touched, and I will be sustained by the prayers of many, and so, I drag myself along.

Invited by Columbia Universities courageous Pro Life Group, we entered the lion's den to speak of the truth of abortion and its devastation, not only in the death of our children, but to countless women, men, grandparents and siblings. From the steps of the main quad where God had provided a beautiful day so hundreds and hundreds of students graced the lawns, Mary and I witnessed to the pain of abortion for millions of women.

We had our opponents. "Get off of my campus. I don't want to hear you", were words shouted at us by one young woman as we were testifying.  Another feared condemnation because she had had "many" abortions", and one young man confronted me, but was soon defused as I spoke to him of the pain my abortion had brought to my life.he amazingly left saying "I am sorry for your suffering."

It struck me once again, how this generation of young adults has known nothing but abortion, and how misinformed they are.

I left that campus, as I know Mary and Colleen did, once again, full of gratitude to God for providing us with the courage and strength we needed to stand amongst such a pro abortion crowd and to speak of our abortions.

But mostly I left smiling, thinking of the apostles and in awe of the transformation brought about by our relationship with Jesus Christ which changed us from women full of fear to women proclaiming the truth from the temple steps through His amazing grace. He is risen! Indeed He is risen!

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Theresa Bonopartis is the Director of "Lumina/Hope & Healing after Abortion", 1-877-586-4621, lumina@postabortionhelp.org and the Co-Developer, "Entering Canaan" post abortion ministry. 

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