CZESTOCHOWA, Poland, AUGUST 16, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Pope Benedict XVI sent a telegram to the participants of the 301st Pilgrimage Walk from Warsaw to the Shrine of Jasna Gora in Czestochowa, Poland, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the pro-life initiative entitled » Spiritual Adoption of the Unborn Child.» The campaign is a 9-month prayer initiative with the intention of protecting unborn life threatened in the womb.
In his message, the Holy Father expressed his appreciation to the people involved with the apostolate, who, with deep faith, promote the Gospel values of life and love to counter the threats of abortion, euthanasia, promiscuity and the problems which affect family life.
Benedict XVI hopes, too, that this initiative can profoundly touch the hearts of men to grow spiritually and give support to children whose lives are threatened, to couples who are having difficulty accepting a new life and to families tested by abortion.
The «Spiritual Adoption of the Unborn Child » came about in 1987 in Warsaw, to a group linked to the pastoral pilgrimages to Jasna Gora. The initiative later spread throughout Poland, and then to other countries.
