In their role as spiritual fathers here on Earth, priests minister to many people, and those who have experienced abortion are no exception.
For Father Michael Freihofer, the parochial vicar at St. John XXIII Catholic Parish in Fort Collins, and Father Robert Wedow, the pastor at St. Scholastica Catholic Parish in Erie, the fruits from their healing ministry to these women and families have been great.
“The greatest fruit that I have seen is the women forgiving themselves and choosing to fight for God in the pro-life effort,” Father Freihofer said. “This fruit comes from the graces received through prayer and the sacraments.”
In fact, it was in Confession where Maria Tell, a survivor of human trafficking and satanic ritual abuse (SRA) who was pressured into getting an abortion by her trafficker, met Father Freihofer.
“He received my pain with love from a true father and immediately told me that he had a healing ministry,” Tell said. “He put me on a prayer prescription for 30 days, and I felt so much healing instantly from saying those prayers. That was the beginning of healing prayer sessions with Father Michael and his prayer team, who were wonderful, holy women who I still pray with weekly.”
In addition to his prayer team, Father Freihofer prays in front of Planned Parenthood and started the Holy Face Army.
“I asked many people to join me in praying the Holy Face Chaplet daily for four years,” Father Freihofer said. “So far, we have over 150 people signed up. One of our main petitions is for the conversion of those who are against the sanctity of life in the state of Colorado, especially the judges, lawmakers and elected officials.”
Aside from the government being ripe for change, Father Wedow believes reaching the men involved will go a long way in shaping the pro-life movement, even if the healing comes later in life.
Take Anthony, whose girlfriend had an abortion back when he was in his 20s. Now, he is a father and husband that Father Wedow helps.
“Father Rob said you have to name your child; it deserves a name and is a person, and pray on whether you had a girl or boy,” Anthony said. “The reconciliation part is so much different since I have a relationship with my child.”
Along with providing spiritual direction to people like Anthony, Father Wedow has a prayer team, does one-on-one ministry and was a priest at a retreat for Rachel’s Vineyard, a program Father Freihofer also refers women to as a resource for healing and reconciliation.
“I know a woman, Patricia, from a previous assignment who had an abortion and attended and promotes Rachel’s Vineyard,” Father Freihofer said. “I give Patricia’s phone number to any woman who wants it so that Patricia can steer her or help register her to go to a Rachel’s Vineyard retreat.”
Father Freihofer additionally points people to Tell’s 501c(3) nonprofit, A Courageous Rose (ACR), which she founded to assist others who have experienced human trafficking, satanic ritual abuse and commercial sexual exploitation.
“Very often, women or men come to me through ACR and need assistance from a priest, such as other trafficked women who have had an abortion,” Tell said. “When you are trafficked, you have so many layers of healing that it really does take a lifetime. I will say this, however, to give others who may have had abortions hope: Jesus has healed me from my abortion. This is a sin you can confess, so don’t be ashamed. Jesus’ mercy is so much greater than all of your sins combined. He loves you and wants you to come home.”
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