WINTER PARK  |  It was standing room only at Mary, Mother of God Chapel at San Pedro Spiritual Development Center as 200 people united for the Vigil for the Protection of Life, Oct. 4. 

A baby as young as one month old, families, and several elderly and infirmed came together, making visible God’s gift of life.

Normally the evening when the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary pray the Cenacle, Bishop John Noonan requested they plan an event in support of life, including praying the rosary. The Sisters extended their usual evening celebration of Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and rosary until 11 p.m., offering prayers specifically for the protection of all life, from conception to natural death.

“October is the month of the rosary,” Bishop Noonan said. “The fact that the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary’s motto is ‘To Jesus through Mary,’ it makes sense to ask Mary to give loving and caring hearts to all mothers and their unborn children.”

Sister Maria Teresa Acosta said the bishop’s request also aligned with the order’s “Every Life is a Gift” campaign, begun by Foundress Mother Adela Galindo two years ago. 

“(The campaign is) a beautiful call from the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary, to pray daily the joyful mystery, ‘The Birth of the Child Jesus,’ for the defense and promotion of the culture of life, for the protection of the unborn, for the healing of those who have had recourse to an abortion, and for families that have not been able to conceive a child,” she said. “It is a decade rosary designed exclusively to invite us to pray for these intentions,” Mother Galindo said. 

The Cenacle recalls the Last Supper in the Upper Room. Deacon Kelvin Berberena of Blessed Trinity Parish in Orlando led the Eucharistic Adoration. “If you think about the whole Cenacle, it’s a journey walking through the life of Christ,” he said, “We look to Christ for safety, for health, to give us the things we need in life. And He is always looking for us, with open arms. But when we do Eucharistic Adoration right, and truly surrender to Christ, people are touched, and they realize He is here. That is what the Cenacle does. It creates a space where people are so comfortable, they can really open their hearts and receive Christ openly, with no obstacles in the way.”

Although it is now almost a year since he began his participation in the monthly Cenacle, he noted the vigil was special. As he held the Blessed Sacrament and processed throughout the chapel, frequently pausing for adorers to touch the monstrance or look into the eyes of Jesus present in the host, he paused before parents and an infant.

The mother lifted the baby up as Deacon Berberena approached. At that moment, the baby looked at the monstrance in surprise, then immediately reached out and touched the base. “It was like, wow, Jesus is here, and he reached out to touch Him,” the deacon recalled.

Deacon Berberena found it difficult to contain his own emotions, moved to tears to witness an infant so small recognizing God. “I was sobbing. All I could think of was that child’s response. I have never seen anything like that,” he shared.

Others saw it as well and approached the deacon afterward, crying as they recounted the experience. “We witnessed the presence of God in the Eucharist,” Deacon Berberena said. “The awe of the baby, recognizing Christ was powerful.” The fact that the vigil was devoted to the protection of life, made it even more poignant.

Sal, Dominique, and Francesco Ballacchino are regulars at the monthly Cenacle. Francesco, a young single father, said he felt Christ’s presence the moment he walked into the chapel that evening. 

Francesco was not always a diligent adorer. “I’ve had some ups and downs with my faith, but I’ve been going back to Mass for about two years,” he said. “I slowly started to receive the other Sacraments and going to Adoration at least once a week. It’s always a great time to pray.”

His daughter, Selena, brought him back. Francesco explained, “I see the grace of God in her. He pulled me out of mortal sin, and I’ve been living very freely, and it feels amazing.” He said it’s easier for him to pray in Adoration. “You can go and lay everything at His feet,” he said. 

“I think of the decision I had to make and what the Lord was calling me to, to be a father, not fully realizing what I had to do when (Selena) was first conceived. Going through the court situation, getting my days with her, and how I had to change as a father really opened the door to God’s grace as my response,” he said. Now, he experiences God’s joy in everyday life.

He said being pro-life was ingrained in him since childhood. “I always think about it. If I’m walking around with my daughter, I feel like a light to the world – like the salt of the earth that we’re called to be,” he said. For him, the vigil was another opportunity to pray for his generation.

His father Sal, who had an encounter with Christ in the Blessed Sacrament at age 15, said God “got him hooked”. Since then, he goes to Eucharistic Adoration at least once a week. Supporting his son and granddaughter are part of living out what he and Dominique always taught their children. “I want to emphasize pro-life starts at home with your family,” he said. “That’s where the rubber hits the road. You can advocate for it. You can pray for it, but you have to practice it where you’re at – whether it’s talking to somebody, talking someone out of an abortion, or offering help, witnessing to life, or even talking about what you yourself have done; they are all ways to promote life.” 

By Glenda Meekins of the Florida Catholic staff, October 11, 2024