Daily verse:

"Resplendent and unfading is Wisdom, and she is readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her. She hastens to make herself known to those who desire her; one who watches for her at dawn will not be disappointed, for she will be found sitting at the gate. For setting your heart on her is the perfection of prudence, and whoever keeps vigil for her is quickly free from care; Because she makes her rounds, seeking those worthy of her, and graciously appears to them on the way, and goes to meet them with full attention. For the first step toward Wisdom is an earnest desire for discipline; then, care for discipline is love of her; love means the keeping of her laws; To observe her laws is the basis for incorruptibility; and incorruptibility makes one close to God." Wisdom 6, 12-19

Teaching of John Paul II:

"[The] evaluation of the morality of abortion is to be applied also to the recent forms of intervention on human embryos which, although carried out for purposes legitimate in themselves, inevitably involve the killing of those embryos. This is the case with experimentation on embryos, which is becoming increasingly widespread in the field of biomedical research and is legally permitted in some countries. Although "one must uphold as licit procedures carried out on the human embryo which respect the life and integrity of the embryo and do not involve disproportionate risks for it, but rather are directed to its healing, the improvement of its condition of health, or its individual survival", it must nonetheless be stated that the use of human embryos or fetuses as an object of experimentation constitutes a crime against their dignity as human beings who have a right to the same respect owed to a child once born, just as to every person. 

This moral condemnation also regards procedures that exploit living human embryos and fetuses - sometimes specifically "produced" for this purpose by in vitro fertilization - either to be used as "biological material" or as providers of organs or tissue for transplants in the treatment of certain diseases. The killing of innocent human creatures, even if carried out to help others, constitutes an absolutely unacceptable act.

Special attention must be given to evaluating the morality of prenatal diagnostic techniques which enable the early detection of possible anomalies in the unborn child. In view of the complexity of these techniques, an accurate and systematic moral judgment is necessary. When they do not involve disproportionate risks for the child and the mother and are meant to make possible early therapy or even to favor a serene and informed acceptance of the child not yet born, these techniques are morally licit. But since the possibilities of prenatal therapy are today still limited, it not infrequently happens that these techniques are used with a eugenic intention which accepts selective abortion in order to prevent the birth of children affected by various types of anomalies. Such an attitude is shameful and utterly reprehensible, since it presumes to measure the value of a human life only within the parameters of "normality" and physical well-being, thus opening the way to legitimizing infanticide and euthanasia as well.

And yet the courage and the serenity with which so many of our brothers and sisters suffering from serious disabilities lead their lives when they are shown acceptance and love bears eloquent witness to what gives authentic value to life, and makes it, even in difficult conditions, something precious for them and for others. The Church is close to those married couples who, with great anguish and suffering, willingly accept gravely handicapped children. She is also grateful to all those families which, through adoption, welcome children abandoned by their parents because of disabilities or illnesses." Encyclical Evangelium Vitae, § 63, 3/25/1995.

Witness account:

Professor Jérôme Lejeune

Physician and researcher, Professor Lejeune dedicated his career to the littlest: the unborn, the child, and the mentally affected. He studied trisomy 21, and his team discovered that the condition was caused by an extra chromosome. A devout Christian, Professor Lejeune fought tirelessly to defend the embryo, which caused his peers disavowal and the stalling of his career. He was shunned, both professionally and socially, by academics and colleagues, as he watched in horror abortion rates skyrocket in the wake of his discovery.

He was a friend of John Paul II and member of the Academy for Life in Vatican City. His beatification process is currently underway,  and his bloodless martyrdom is a testimony for all who seek to improve the life conditions of those without a voice.

Meditation:

Today, we pray for the research scientists. Regardless of their domain of expertise, may they seek first and foremost the good of the human being, may they respect the dignity of the human embryo and of every already-born person. May they be enlightened by God's Wisdom, so that no spirit of domination or manipulation could influence them. Let us pray that, in today's students, will bloom vocations of researchers at the service of life, in the footsteps of Professeur Lejeune. 

Our Father...

Hail Mary...

Glory be...

Saint John Paul II, pray for us. 

Picture: John Paul II and Professor Lejeune.