Posted on 05/17/2012 7:52:01 AM PDT by EternalVigilance
From Randal Caffery:
Thomas More Society Defended Him and Others Arrested in May, 2009 at Notre Dame
May 17, 2012 (Chicago, IL) Long time pro-life activist leader, Fr. Norman Weslin, died Wednesday evening at the Cherry Hill Haven retirement home in Traverse City, Michigan, owned and operated by Patti, wife of Tom Dixon, who had served as lead attorney for Fr. Weslin and the other so-called “ND88” – peaceable demonstrators who were arrested and jailed three years ago this month when they dared to step onto the campus of Notre Dame University, to protest against the commencement honors bestowed on pro-abortion [Alleged] President Barack Obama. Tom Brejcha, president and chief counsel of the Chicago-based Thomas More Society, which assisted in Dixon’s defense of the ND88, shared these thoughts:
“Father Weslin was a saintly priest, and as good and honorable a man who ever walked on American soil. While undoubtedly he will be greatly missed, his inspiration and example — defending life with such selfless, intensive vigor and passion — will abide in memory and live on in the hearts of pro-lifers for generations. Rest in peace Father, knowing that your light will continue to burn as the brightest star.”
Father Weslin was imprisoned more than 70 times for peaceable, non-violent protests outside abortion clinics all over the United States. Many thousands of Catholics and other Christians and pro-lifers were deeply moved by one of his more recent and famous arrests when, carrying a large wooden cross, he was stopped and taken into custody at Notre Dame, while inquiring of his captors, “Why would you arrest a Catholic priest at a Catholic University for trying to stop the killing of a baby?” Then Father collapsed while singing the traditional May crowning hymn, “Immaculate Mary, your praises we sing … our hearts are on fire.” The Thomas More Society intervened to hire the heroic Indiana lawyer, Tom Dixon, who had volunteered to represent all those jailed. Charges against Fr. Weslin and the others were all dismissed last year. A video of Father’s arrest can be seen here .
“In memory of Father Weslin, we will continue to fight for the sanctity of life and the free, robust exercise of religious faith, two values for which he fought hard,” added Brejcha.
Father Weslin epitomized the virtues of courage and wisdom, and he was perhaps somewhat ahead of his time, as just weeks ago the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops called for Catholics across the country to engage, if need be, in peaceful acts of civil disobedience in protest against the Obama Administration’s “HHS Health Care mandate” – using the same non-violent tactics that Fr. Weslin had practiced for decades.
Father Weslin and his wife Mary, who had been killed in an automobile accident before Father became a priest, are survived by two adopted children.
Will pray for this brave man.
Please join us.
Thank you.
Your power brings us to birth,
Your providence guides our lives,
and by Your command we return to dust.
Lord, those who die still live in Your presence,
their lives change but do not end.
I pray in hope for my family,
relatives and friends,
and for all the dead known to You alone.
In company with Christ,
Who died and now lives,
may they rejoice in Your kingdom,
where all our tears are wiped away.
Unite us together again in one family,
to sing Your praise forever and ever.
Amen.
Prayers for this good man ... and all those who loved him...
Lord, we beseech Thee, rest Thy servant Norman with the saints and be with the pro-life people of the United States, and bring the work in the interest of death to utter destruction, and convert the enemies of life.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, amen.
A great man. May he rest in peace.
Here is the original Youtube video of his arrest at Notre Dame, by Pass the Salt. It is one of the most beautiful and inspiring films I have ever seen, as wonderfully crafted as it was heroically done by Fr. Weslin.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiz4tfjSuPc
What an inspiring story, what an inspiring life's mission.
Where is it written that a saint must be canonized to influence those who know of him?
To Fr. Norman Weslin, Thank you. And God Bless you.
I dare to hope that Father Weslin has been re-united with his beloved wife Mary in heaven and that their children will continue to carry on their work with the Mary Weslin Homes for Unwed Mothers.
Fr. Weslin: pray for each of us here at Free Republic and for the heathens who are running Notre Shame into the ground.
Requiescat in pace, Father Weslin, and please plead with God for me and mine and for the babies and for each and every pro-lifer! You were the very best!
I dare to hope that Father Weslin has been re-united with his beloved wife Mary in heaven and that their children will continue to carry on their work with the Mary Weslin Homes for Unwed Mothers.
Fr. Weslin: pray for each of us here at Free Republic and for the heathens who are running Notre Shame into the ground.
Requiescat in pace, Father Weslin, and please plead with God for me and mine and for the babies and for each and every pro-lifer! You were the very best!
I don’t know how it was for anyone else, but when I went to the link, there was a google ad for Obama at the bottom of the video.
Sad and exploitative weasels.
The video is wonderful and moving.
God bless you for your work in defense of the defenseless.
I can remember an older priest getting arrested, and I was so proud of him.
BTTT
So much truth in a picture. God Bless/God Speed. Many prayers for Fr. Weslin; and suspect his prayers will continue, for the damaged world and those in it; that he left behind.
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