Father William F. Maestri, a regular columnist for the Clarion Herald,
the official newspaper of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, is the author of more than a dozen
Alba House books and an equal number of Alba House audio and video tapes. A regular collaborator
on the Focus Worldwide TV Network, he finds time in his busy schedule to teach, give retreats and
attend to his pastoral duties at St. Pius X Church in New Orleans. Few persons are better qualified
than he to address the extremely troubling but hopeful issues raised in this work.
Reviews
"The stories of Lorraine, Julie, Tess and others form the framework for Father Maestri's
reflections on the humiliation and pain of women who have had abortions. Their wounded hearts
can find hope and healing through pastoral concern and counseling. Father Maestri emphasizes
The Gospel of Life, written by Pope John Paul II, which acknowledges the evil of abortion
but says that "the Father of mercies is ready to give you his forgiveness and his peace in the
sacrament of Reconciliation." Anger, fear and isolation can keep women from seeing the solace
of counseling and the cleansing of sacramental reconciliation. The pastoral minister would be
wise to keep several copies of this slender volume to distribute to those who might need
encouragement before revealing details of their personal lives and struggles. A post-abortion
conversion experience can lead to new ways of nurturing and respecting life in all its forms."
--Marilyn Peters Krawczyk in Ministry &
Liturgy, June-July 2000
"Father Maestri, a priest of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, shares his positive experiences of
preaching against abortion while inviting women who have had abortions to come forward for prayer
and healing. He invites us to broaden our respect-life ministry to include reconciliation. Defense
of life need not exhibit a lack of love for the women who are also victims of abortion. St.
Augustine teaches that no one is healed by hurting another. As ministers of reconciliation, we
offer God's love to women who experience the effects of abortion long after the deed. Quick
absolution and an easy way out is not what is needed either. Father Maestri offers Pope John Paul
II as a model of someone who strongly defends life while offering healing to women. The words of
the Holy Father offer us inspiration and a framework for both preaching an inviting message and
also being present to those who need to be understood, pardoned and given a chance to repair the
hurt they have caused and of which they themselves are the first victim. With more than a million
abortions a year, the opportunities for healing are legion." --Rev. Henry
Mancuso in The Priest, April 2000
"Do Not Lose Hope: Healing the Wounded Heart of Women Who Have Had Abortions, by Fr.
William F. Maestri, is a series of eight brief reflections on the experiences of women who have
had abortions. Maestri sensitively follows the pastoral lead of John Paul II's encyclical The
Gospel of Life in addressing a 'special word to women who have had abortions.' This book is
certain to be helpful to those who use it." --Fr. William C. Graham
in "Bookshelf," National Catholic Reporter, February 25, 2000
"Women who have had abortions can rely on the inestimable mercy of God and a loving Church to
heal their pain and reunite them with the Christian community," Father William Maestri says in a
new book, Do Not Lose Hope, written to heal their "wounded heart". The basis for Father
Maestri's 26th book started innocently enough with a Respect Life Sunday homily he preached on
"The Gospel of Life," in which Pope John Paul II addressed "a special word to women who have had
an abortion." After speaking about the Pope's message, Father Maestri said several women came to
him privately and asked for further guidance in confession. "The response was profound," Father
Maestri said. "Many women did not know there was healing and hope in the Church. Many felt this
was the unpardonable sin. Many were not aware of the Pope's words to them. This came as a great
blessing and relief." The 94-page book uses the stories of nine women who spoke to Father Maestri
about their abortions and how they had been haunted by their decisions. Father Maestri said he
spoke to more than 50 women who have had abortions and who wanted to ask for God's mercy but whose
greatest fear was being condemned and misunderstood by a priest. "It takes a great deal of courage
for women to come forward and talk about this. The priest can play a valuable role in this by
sending out signals through sermons, through his pastoral style that he is open and receptive and
wants to ba a minister in this area." Father Maestri said the Pope points out that women who have
had abortions often become "the most eloquent and forceful defenders of life because they know
firsthand what happened to them." Father Maestri said priests together with behavioral professionals
can do a great deal to help a woman deal with the spiritual, emotional and psychological pain of
an abortion and the woman's sense of guilt. "That's a terrible burden to walk around with."
--Peter Finney, Jr. in the New Orleans Clarion
Herald, January 20, 2000.
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