When we stood at the altar, the priest looked us in the eyes and asked: “Will you accept children lovingly from God?” Our response was an exuberant: “We will.” And we meant it. We were assured: be open to life, and life will come. Be faithful. Be patient. Be generous. Be hopeful. So we waited. And waited. And waited. We didn't know it would hurt this much, but we said yes to life. And we’d say yes again.

In my journey through the Christian life, certain spiritual mentors have guided and shaped me in profound ways. In college, it was St. John Paul II whose rich writings I studied under the gentle wisdom of a small but mighty gray-haired priest with an effusive smile. My faith was deepened in a way it never had been, and Pope John Paul II's death marked one of those days when you remember exactly where you were when you heard the news. After college it was Henri Nouwen whose te

Choosing to stay faithful to Church teaching, faithful to your husband and faithful to your body is pro-life, even if it means not having children at all. By choosing not to pursue anti-life options, you're standing up for life. By not commodifying children, you're protecting a culture of life and your options of showing it are limitless.