Faith, Grief, And A Pro-Life Prayer For Babies With Down Syndrome

A prenatal diagnosis can feel like a verdict, but it is still a human life and a family being asked to hope. I’m Lori, Stacy’s sister, and I built this podcast around one intention: honoring Saint Joseph while begging his protection for unborn babies diagnosed with Down syndrome, especially when fear and pressure are loud. After spending 60 years with my baby sister Stacy, I can’t ignore what’s at stake when children who look like her are targeted in the womb. 

We begin with the traditional prayer to Saint Joseph, then I share how my devotion deepened after Stacy passed and why Father Donald Calloway’s consecration to Saint Joseph helped me see Joseph’s strength in a new way. From there I explore Saint Joseph as Patron of the Unborn, drawing on Saint Pope John Paul II’s Redemptoris Custos to show Joseph as the humble guardian entrusted with the earliest beginnings of our redemption. I also recite the "Prayer to Saint Joseph, Defender of Life,” asking for the grace to welcome, cherish, and safeguard life where it is most vulnerable. 

The episode revisits the remarkable story of Dr. Jerome Lejeune, the geneticist who discovered trisomy 21 and then paid a professional price for opposing abortion. And, I want to credit Francois Lespes, Jerome Lejeune, to the least of these my brothers and sisters (Ignatius Press, 2026) for much of the information regarding Dr. Lejeune. Dr. Lejeune's friendship with John Paul II, his work connected to the Pontifical Academy for Life, and his cause for sainthood reveal what it looks like when science, conscience, and the dignity of the human person collide. To keep everything grounded, I share a joyful memory of Stacy at a Kenny Rogers concert, a small moment that says more about dignity than any debate ever could. We close with "A Litany for Life" based on First Corinthians, praying for patience, mercy, courage, and hope in a culture that often forgets the unborn. 

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Credits:  A Prayer to St. Joseph, Defender of Life. Used with permission. Copyright © 2021, USCCB, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved.

A Litany for Life. Used with permission. Copyright © 2010, USCCB, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved.

Apostolic Exhortation  Redemptoris Custos   

Of the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II  On the Person and Mission of 

St. Joseph In The Life of Christ and of The Church

Transcript

Welcome And Mission For The Podcast

Speaker 0:00

Hello, and thanks for joining me for the second episode of St. Joseph Protector of the Unborn. This podcast is dedicated to honoring and to venerating Saint Joseph and to seeking his protection and intercession to save the lives of unborn babies diagnosed with Down syndrome. I'm your host, Lori, also known as Stacy's sister. Stacy was my baby sister, and she had Down syndrome. We were together for the entire 60 years of her life. I was six when she was born, and thankfully, this was before the abortion of babies with Down syndrome became the norm. Although I know my parents wouldn't have aborted her in any event. There is a spiritual backstory regarding her conception that I will share in a future episode. After spending 60 years with Stacy, I know how loving, amazing, and precious people with Down syndrome are, and it breaks my heart when I think about the thousands of babies who look like my Stacy and are aborted each

Traditional Prayer To Saint Joseph

Speaker 1:02

year. But before we ponder this tragedy, let's start with the traditional prayer to Saint Joseph. O Saint Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires, O Saint Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ our Lord, so that having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of fathers. O Saint Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while he reposes near your heart. Press him in my name and kiss his fine head for me, and ask him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath. Saint Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for me. Amen.

My Devotion After Stacy’s Death

Speaker 2:00

As I mentioned in the first episode, my devotion to Saint Joseph developed after Stacy passed. I've been a Catholic since birth, but I felt the need to become even more intentional in my faith. My spiritual journey led me to Father Donald Calloway and to his consecration to Saint Joseph. His book and videos gave me so much more insight into Saint Joseph and his awe-inspiring legacy. If you don't know anything about Father Calloway, I invite you to check out his incredible conversion story. I recently had the privilege of hearing him share this story in person at a local church. It is a moving and inspiring tale. But now, let's return to our veneration of Saint Joseph.

Why Joseph Is Patron Of The Unborn

Speaker 2:45

In spite of being a quiet and humble man, Saint Joseph has earned many titles and honors over the past 2,000 years. The title we are exploring is Saint Joseph, Patron of the Unborn, the title he earned by embracing his role as foster father of Jesus. Saint Pope John Paul II discusses Joseph's role as foster father of the Savior in depth in his apostolic exhortation, Redemptoris Custos, Guardian of the Redeemer. He quotes Saint John Chrysostom as he describes Joseph's humble, mature way of serving and of taking part in the plan of salvation. Saint Pope John Paul II acknowledges that Joseph shared in the mystery of salvation with Mary, mother of the Word incarnate. They were both guardians of the same love, through the power of which the Eternal Father, according to Ephesians, destined us to be his sons through Jesus Christ. It was necessary that the child in Mary's womb be named Jesus. God saves when he enters the world. So it is to Joseph that the messenger turned, entrusting to him the responsibilities of an earthly father in his position as Mary's spouse. According to St. Pope John Paul II, the beginnings of our redemption are entrusted to the faithful care of Joseph. God placed him at the head of his family as a faithful and prudent servant, so that with fatherly care he might watch over God's begotten

Prayer To Saint Joseph Defender Of Life

Speaker 4:19

Son. This seems like a good time to mention a beautiful prayer that to me sums up St. Joseph's journey as head of the Holy Family. It's called A Prayer to Saint Joseph, Defender of Life. And I have received permission from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, to recite this prayer. I am really drawn to this prayer, so we will probably be reciting it during most episodes. Dearest Saint Joseph, at the word of an angel, you lovingly took Mary into your home. As God's humble servant, you guided the Holy Family on the road to Bethlehem, welcomed Jesus as your own son in the shelter of a manger, and fled far from your homeland for the safety of both mother and child. We praise God that as their faithful protector, you never hesitated to sacrifice for those entrusted to you. May your example inspire us also to welcome, cherish, and safeguard God's most precious gift of life. Help us to faithfully commit ourselves to the service and defense of human life, especially where it is vulnerable or threatened. Obtain for us the grace to do the will of God in all things. Amen. In

Jerome Lejeune’s Discovery And Its Fallout

Speaker 5:42

our first episode, we started discussing the legacy of Dr. Jerome Lejeune, a faithful Catholic who aspired to become a simple country doctor, who instead became a renowned genetics expert, then a scientific pariah. Dr. Lejeune was the first researcher to publish the discovery that individuals with Down syndrome had all or a portion of a third chromosome 21, meaning that these individuals could be identified in the womb. At the time of his discovery, Dr. Lejeune had no idea that this meant that unborn babies with Down syndrome would be targeted in the womb. Thanks to his discovery, Dr. Lejeune was frequently honored by the scientific community. This led to his being awarded the prestigious William Allen Memorial Award in 1969, the top prize given by the American Society of Human Genetics, which was to be the last major honor he received from his fellow scientists. Because soon thereafter he attended an international health conference at the United Nations. When the issue of abortion arose, he was the sole voice against it. In a speech at the conference, he stated, Here we see an institute of health that is turning itself into an institute of death. That evening he wrote his wife, This afternoon I lost my Nobel Prize. Funding for his research dried up. He was ostracized internationally. His career went in a different direction, and he spent the rest of his life fighting against abortion. Thanks to this work, in 1974, he was nominated to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences by Pope Paul VI. In 1975, Dr. Lejeune met the director of the Catholic Institute for the Family in Krakow. Later that year, she asked him to speak at conferences regarding the beginning of life. Conferences she was organizing with her good friend, Monsignor Karol Wojtyla, the man who was to become Pope John Paul II. Dr. Lejeune and the future Pope became friends. He frequently met with Pope John Paul II in Rome, who, eventually, sought to name him president of a new pontifical academy, the Pontifical Academy for Life. Lejeune carefully drafted the bylaws and the Oath of the Servants of Life, an oath to be taken by every member of the Academy. John Paul II considered him to be one of the most intelligent people he ever met. Sadly, Lejeune was able to serve as president of the Academy for only a few weeks before his death in April 1994. Jerome Lejeune's faithful choice to speak out on behalf of unborn babies rather than seek a path of scientific accolades and honors was not ignored by the Catholic Church. In 1997,

Friendship With John Paul II

Speaker 8:41

during World Youth Day, Pope John Paul II insisted on changing his schedule in order to travel to the grave of his friend Jerome Lejeune. In 2007, Jerome Lejeune's journey toward sainthood began. He was named a servant of God. On January 21, 2021, Pope Francis affirmed Jerome Lejeune's heroic virtues and named him venerable. If a proven miracle occurs through his intercession, he will be beatified and given the title of blessed. If at least two such miracles occur, he could be canonized and declared a saint. A strange, unlikely journey for a man who aspired to be a simple country doctor. A narrative that reminds me of another humble man, a Jewish carpenter who became the foster father of the Son of God. Before we go any further, I again want to credit the documentary, Venerable Jerome Lejeune, to the least of these, my brothers and sisters, with providing much of the information regarding Dr. Lejeune. Since Dr. Lejeune loved and valued people with Down syndrome, let's talk

Stacy’s Joy At A Concert

Speaker 9:53

about one of those wonderful people, my Stacy. In episode one, I recounted the details of Stacy's spiritual journey to being confirmed she loved God and enjoyed attending mass weekly. But she also liked having fun and listening to country music. Stacy was a Kenny Rogers fan, and our family attended several of his concerts. However, I want to talk about one concert in particular, a time when we saw Kenny Rogers in concert at the New York State Fair in Syracuse. We were in the fourth row. Stacy was thoroughly enjoying the music, looking adorable, as usual. In those days, at a certain time in his concerts, Kenny Rogers would start tossing autographed tambourines out into the audience, and the jostling for one of the precious souvenirs would begin. Until, on this day, Kenny Rogers put up a hand to quiet the crowd. Then he pointed at Stacy and tossed in our direction. I reached out and grabbed the tambourine on Stacy's behalf. I handed it to her as a grin completely engulfed her face. Then our parents mouthed a silent thank you to a kind, empathetic entertainer. That tambourine still hangs in a place of honor in our home. Stacy never forgot about that tambourine. And I know she would agree that Down syndrome never kept her from living an impressive, full life. We're

Litany For Life From Corinthians

Speaker 11:16

going to end this episode by reciting a litany for life, a beautiful litany based on First Corinthians. This litany is being recited with the permission of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Secretariat of Pro Life Activities, and I am very grateful to them. Lord, love is patient. Give to the mother who is tempted to abort her child the patience to endure the suffering that will bring forth new life. Lord, love is kind. Give to the new father whose friends tell him to abort his child the gentleness, compassion, and courage to support his wife and child, protect them from all that could harm them, and sustain them against selfishness and hate. Lord, love is not jealous. Remove from all human hearts the temptation to trade human life for advantage, convenience, or personal benefit. Deliver us from the expediency that values personal gain and pleasure over the dignity of human life. Lord, love is not pompous. Deliver us from the arrogance that sees our needs or wants as superior to the rights of others. Help us to see all our brothers and sisters as worthy of all of our love. Lord, love is not inflated. Grant us a share in the humility of your Son, who sought not to be served, but to serve. Help us to see in every human life, rich or poor, young or old, guilty or innocent, a reflection of your image and likeness. Lord, love is not rude. Implant a spirit of gentle compassion in the hearts of each of your sons and daughters. Lord, that no person may ever be treated as less than the child of God which you have made them through the paschal death and resurrection of your only begotten Son. Lord, love does not seek its own interests. Give to all who govern us, Lord, a generous spirit, that our country may not so much seek to be great as to be good, to be rich in possessions as to be rich in mercy, or to be renowned as to be renowned for justice and truth for all. Lord, love is not quick tempered. Grant that by our prudence and patience we might learn to live that sacrificial love by which your son died for us on the cross, that all men and women might know our kindness and willingness to love them unto death after the model of our Lord and Savior. Lord, love does not brood over injury. Give us the grace of mercy, Lord, that like your Son we might forgive those who sin against us, seeking only their redemption and eternal happiness. Forgive the abortionist who takes the life of an unborn child. Move his heart, grant him the grace of repentance, and give us a full share in your mercy, Lord. Love does not rejoice over wrongdoing. Help us to seek only the redemption of wrongdoers, Lord, and remove from our hearts all desire for vengeance and hate. Help us to desire not revenge, even for the horrors of abortion, but the repentance and happiness of all your children. Lord, love rejoices with the truth. Implant deep within our hearts a sense of the joy of the gospel of life, and make us joy-filled evangelists of your great gift of life. Lord, love bears all things. When we are insulted or reviled for the sake of the gospel of life, give us the courage and the innocence of the children of God. Help us, Lord, to suffer for the sake of your truth and never to seek our own good, even in the good work we do, Lord. Love believes all things. Deliver us from every temptation to despair, Lord, when we are discouraged, give us the grace to trust in your mercy and to know that your love is ever victorious, even in the face of darkness, death, and hate. Lord, love hopes all things, as we trust in your infinite love, O Lord. Give us the trust that comes from the gospel and help us to cling to that sure and certain hope that for those who love God all things come to good. Lord, love endures all things in the face of death, destruction, and a culture of death. Never let us lose sight of the beauty of the face of your only begotten Son, our Lord, who suffered the torments of his passion and death for the sake of our sins. Let us trust that through his passion we will have the strength to do your will and to carry each cross that comes our way for the glory of God and the love of his little ones. Lord, love never fails. When the crusade for life seems unending, and our latest initiatives have failed, when our hearts are filled with sadness or anger or fear, come to our aid, O Lord, and give us the assurance that you are ever with us, that your mercies will not end, and that you, our creator and our God, will bring victory to all who seek to love as you have commanded them. Amen.

Final Thanks And Blessing

Speaker 16:51

Thank you so much for joining me today to honor and to venerate Saint Joseph and to seek his loving intercession for unborn babies diagnosed with Down syndrome. Please keep listening, and I pray you have a hopeful and blessed day. So long from Stacy Sister.