Why Saint Joseph Gives Me Courage To Defend Life

A single sentence in a medical chart can feel like a verdict, especially when a prenatal diagnosis points to Down syndrome. I’m Lori, Stacy’s sister, and I’m inviting you into a deeply personal and prayerful conversation about what gets lost when children like Stacy are treated as problems to solve instead of persons to love.

We begin by turning to Saint Joseph with prayer, because this topic isn’t just political or theoretical for me, it’s spiritual and painfully real. I share how grief after Stacy’s death pushed me to become more intentional about my Catholic faith, from focused prayer to deeper formation, and why Saint Joseph’s humility and steady perseverance have become a source of comfort. We also draw from Saint Pope John Paul II’s Redemptoris Custos to understand Joseph’s role as foster father of Jesus, the meaning of Mary and Joseph’s marriage bond, and the Holy Family as a model for Christian families. 

Then we face hard facts about disability-selective abortion and modern prenatal screening. We discuss the real-world consequences of trisomy 21 testing, the pressure placed on mothers, and the United Kingdom’s abortion law that allows abortion for Down syndrome up to birth. To end with hope instead of despair, I remember Stacy’s contagious joy and share a story from Mass that still makes me smile, followed by A Litany for Life rooted in 1 Corinthians that asks for patience, courage, mercy, and steadfast .

If this moved you, please subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find this conversation about Saint Joseph, Down syndrome, and protecting unborn life.

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 Saint Joseph                                                           In The Life of Christ And Of The Church

Transcript

Welcome And Mission Of The Podcast

Speaker 0:00

Hello and welcome. Thank you for joining me for this episode of Saint Joseph, Protector of the Unborn. This podcast is dedicated to honoring and to venerating Saint Joseph and to seeking his protection and intercession in saving the lives of unborn babies diagnosed with Down syndrome. I'm your host Lori, although I prefer to think of myself as being Stacy's sister. Stacy had Down syndrome and was born when I was six years old. She was my heart, and that heart broke when she passed away when she was sixty, although I am grateful to know that she is now the one watching over me. Missing her so much makes it even harder to know that each year thousands of mothers abort babies that look like Stacy. They have no idea how much love they are missing out on.

Prayer To Saint Joseph

Speaker 0:45

Before we delve into this deeper, let's honor Saint Joseph and recite the 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 interest 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.

Grief, Faith, And Becoming Intentional

Speaker 1:41

When I first lost Stacy, it felt like my day was filled with empty hours. Surprisingly enough, things changed after an unexpected visit by neighbors of a different faith. I was impressed to see how intentional they were about their faith. While it did not make me want to change my religion, it did make me realize that I wanted and needed to be more intentional about being a Catholic. I stopped reciting my rosary on an exercise bike or, while otherwise multitasking, I devoted my time and attention to my spiritual life. As part of that journey, I commenced podcast Bible study with Father Mike Schmitz. And, as I mentioned in an earlier episode, that led me to Father Donald Calloway and his consecration to Saint Joseph. I find myself growing more and more devoted to Saint Joseph each day. I personally find myself identifying more with Saint Joseph than with some other saints. He was humble and needed God's reassurance that he was up to the task of protecting Mary and our Savior. I feel comforted by him. He never saw himself as being perfect. He just kept putting one foot in front of another, trying to obey God's will for him and the Holy Family, and I try to follow his example of perseverance.

Redemptoris Custos And Joseph’s Fatherhood

Speaker 2:48

Now let's return to Saint Pope John Paul II's Redemptoris Custos, which means guardian of the Redeemer for new listeners. We're going to continue to examine Saint Joseph's role as foster father of the Son of God, which is the basis for his title, patron of the unborn. Jesus Christ, Son of Mary, is also Joseph's son by virtue of the marriage bond that unites them. Saint Pope John Paul II quotes Saint Augustine, in Christ's parents all the goods of marriage were realized. Offspring, fidelity, the sacrament, offspring being the Lord Jesus himself, fidelity, since there was no adultery, the sacrament, since there was no divorce. Both Saint Augustine and Saint Thomas identify marriage as an indivisible union of souls, a union of hearts with consent. The marriage of Mary and Joseph meets all these criteria. Pope Paul VI is also quoted, and he makes a beautiful, compelling comparison. In this great undertaking, which is the renewal of all things in Christ, marriage, it too purified and renewed, becomes a new reality, a sacrament of the new covenant, we see that at the beginning of the New Testament, as at the beginning of the old, there is a married couple. But whereas Adam and Eve were the source of evil, which was unleashed on the world, Joseph and Mary are the summit from which holiness spreads all over the earth. The Savior began the work of salvation by this virginal and holy union, wherein is manifested his all powerful will to purify and sanctify the family, that sanctuary of love and cradle of life. Saint Pope John Paul II also references his own apostolic exhortation, familiaris consortio, when discussing the Holy Family, through God's mysterious design. It was in that family that the Son of God spent long years of a hidden life. It is, therefore, the prototype and example for all Christian families.

Prayer To Saint Joseph Defender Of Life

Speaker 4:45

Now let's honor Saint Joseph in his role as patron of the unborn and recite a prayer to Saint Joseph, defender of life. A prayer we recite with the permission of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities. 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.

Down Syndrome Diagnosis And UK Abortion Law

Speaker 5:49

At this point, we're getting to the hardest part of the podcast for me, discussing the real world consequences of Dr. Jerome Lejeune's discovery that individuals with Down syndrome have all or a portion of a third chromosome 21. It's so heartbreaking to know that the discovery made by a kind, faithful man is being used to target and eliminate vulnerable, helpless babies, babies who could grow up to become incredible, loving people like my Stacy and her friends. I frequently find myself breaking into tears when I think about all those lost lives. So let's discuss this horrible reality. In our last episode, we talked about Iceland's treatment of these babies. When I first started researching how different countries cope with their unborn Down syndrome population, I was only familiar with Iceland's tragic policies. Perhaps I naively thought that this was an Icelandic problem, that other countries weren't as fervent in their attempts to eliminate babies with Down syndrome. I was shocked, appalled, to learn that Iceland was just one of many. Some countries are almost as bad as or worse than Iceland. The United Kingdom is one such country. The United Kingdom is liberal in general regarding abortion. Abortions under any circumstances are legal up to 24 weeks, which is later than many countries. However, a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome further extends that limit. An unborn baby diagnosed with Down syndrome can be aborted up till birth, till birth. Mothers carrying babies with Down syndrome are pressured to have an abortion. In the United Kingdom, 90% of babies diagnosed with Down syndrome are aborted. One mother was offered an abortion at 38 weeks. Another mother, who chose to carry her baby to term, was advised that she could leave her baby to die if she was struggling after the birth. Another problem is that new, non-invasive tests make diagnosis of disabilities even easier. A spokesperson for a Chinese biotech firm that sells these tests describes them as a cash cow. And since medical care in the United Kingdom is provided by the government-funded National Health Service, there is a financial incentive to encourage the abortion of babies with disabilities. The law allowing the abortion of babies with Down syndrome until birth was actually challenged by a young woman with Down syndrome. She, rightfully, felt that the law devalued her life. Sadly, she lost her court challenge. This is an appropriate time to ask Saint Joseph for help in saving the lives of these babies.

Asking Saint Joseph For Help

Speaker 8:23

Let's recite the prayer of Saint Francis de Sales. Glorious Saint Joseph, spouse of Mary, grant us, we beseech thee, thy paternal protection through the heart of Jesus Christ. O thou, whose infinite power reaches out to all our needs, rendering possible for us that which is impossible. Look upon the concerns of thy children with fatherly countenance. In the troubles and sorrows that afflict us, we have confident recourse to thee. Deign to take under thy loving protection this important and difficult endeavor, the cause of our worries, and dispose its success to the glory of God and to the benefit of his faithful servants. Amen.

Stacy’s Joy And The Monsignor

Speaker 9:04

As I think I've mentioned before, Stacy was known for her enchanting personality. She could charm anyone, and she was a faithful Catholic who loved attending mass. These two things are relevant because one of the people who fell under her spell was a curmudgeonly priest, a Monsignor, who tended to be aloof when interacting with most of his parishioners, but not with Stacy. Whenever he spotted Stacy in the pews, a grin would cross his face, and when this dignified strait -laced gentleman was exiting during the recessional, he would wave to Stacy and have her join him as he walked out. Then, since the mass was being broadcast on the radio, the Monsignor would have Stacy wait for him at the choir loft stairs while he signed off. Afterward, he would join her for a hug and a proper goodbye. This arrangement continued until his retirement. Stacy could reveal anyone's gooey center.

Litany For Life And Closing Blessing

Speaker 9:55

This is a good time to end this episode with the uplifting A Litany for Life based on First Corinthians. We are reciting this prayer with the permission of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Secretariat of Pro Life Activities. 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 the 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. From 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. Thank you so much for joining me today to honor and to venerate Saint Joseph and to seek his loving intervention to save the lives of unborn babies with Down syndrome. Please keep listening, and I pray you have a hopeful and blessed day. So long from Stacy's sister.