Further Reading and Visual Materials

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Redeemer in the Womb: Jesus Living in Mary, by Prof. John Saward. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Pr., 1993. ISBN: 0898704278. 184 pgs.

[An in-depth, insightful, and informative examination of the importance of Christ’s hidden life in the womb of Mary. With a historical and theological perspective that is accessible to the lay reader, Saward reveals how God becoming incarnate as an embryo and passing through the first nine months of life affirms the sanctity and dignity of every unborn child and demonstrates that conception is the undeniably true beginning of human life, not only from a biological perspective, but from the theological perspective as well. The book also highlights the significance of the Feast of the Annunciation. Click the following link to read an archived article on cloning that reprints the entire first chapter -- scroll down to the section "The Moment God Became Man."] The paperback can be purchased through http://www.bookfinder.com. Copies are also available through the Family Resources Center of the Peoria Diocese Respect Life Board, e-mail famresct@mtco.com or call 309-637-1713. An interview on "Redeemer in the Womb" with author John Saward that aired on "Mother Angelica Live" can be purchased through EWTN here or by phone 1-800-854-6316 -- ask for BEST OF MOTHER ANGELICA LIVE Item # MA 00278 -- for CD Item # MA 00278 C -- or for DVD Item # MA 00278 D -- Orig. air date 11/10/93, rebroadcast 11/18/08 and 12/14/10.

Unborn Jesus Our Hope by George A. Peate with a foreword by Ronda Chervin, Ph.D. Niagara Falls, NY: Life Cycle Books, 2006. ISBN: 0919225314. 173 pgs.

[Geared toward the lay reader, yet replete with chapter endnotes, this book includes relevant and poignant quotations from the most prominent figures from varying Christian traditions such as John Calvin, C.S. Lewis, and St. Ignatius of Loyola. Author George A. Peate, former Director of Education for the Right to Life League of Southern California, presents a reflective and thought-provoking chronology of Christ’s prenatal life--revealing that two thousand years ago this particular means of accomplishing the Incarnation (through a virginal conception in which the enfleshment of divinity mirrors the vulnerability of those first moments of every human life) is indeed pregnant with meaning for our own times as we face increasing attacks on life before birth.] The paperback can be purchased for approx. $15.00 via the Unborn Word Alliance on-line store, and excerpts from each chapter can be accessed through the site’s home page at www.unbornwordalliance.com. [The author is available for speaking engagements--for more info. e-mail info@unbornwordalliance.com or visit the site’s contact page.]

Booklets recommended by The Family Resources Center of the Peoria Diocese for its popular Annunciation Church/School Program and Spiritual Adoption program beginning each year on the Annunciation feast: (also see companion poster set in poster section at bottom of page)

"Life Is a Miracle: Families Celebrate March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation." Diocese of Peoria Respect Life Board. Peoria, IL: The Family Resources Center.

This booklet is a collection of ideas, reflections and suggestions for celebrating the feast. It includes books, songs, videos, prayers and more. The booklet can be ordered on-line here or by calling the Family Resources Center at 309-637-1713.

“The Feast of the Annunciation Church/School Program: Jesus’ Journey In The Womb Teaches The Sanctity Of All Preborn Children”--by the Diocese of Peoria Respect Life Board. Churches of many denominations have used this program focused on Spiritual Adoption since its launch in 2006. To order the Annunciation Church/School Program booklet, or the companion Lenten Reflection (described below) on conception as the start of Christ’s earthly Passion, contact the Family Resources Center at 309-637-1713. "Jesus' Journey In The Womb teaches the sacredness of all preborn children….What more beautiful way to teach the reality of the pre-born child than by following Jesus' journey in the womb from Annunciation until Christmas….Prayerfully reflecting on Jesus' humanity starting on the Annunciation will move hearts and minds to hold all pre-born babies sacred and to hold in reverence the mystery of human life unfolding from the moment of conception until birth." [Quoted in Family Resource Center News Jan/Feb 2012 p.3, published by the Peoria Diocese Respect Life Board, Peoria IL]

“A Lenten Reflection On The Beginning of the Passion Of Christ”--This companion piece to the Annunciation Church/School Program described above stresses the sacrificial nature of Christ’s entire earthly life from conception. To order the booklet, contact the Family Resources Center at 309-637-1713.

NEW: "The Life of Jesus In The Womb: A Meditation and a Prayer"--14-page booklet by Kathleen Curran Sweeney enhances Annunciation-launched spiritual adoption programs--available via One More Soul. (Cover shows Christ saying "This is my body…" offering the spherical communion host juxtaposed with a color photograph of a spherical human zygote). One More Soul can be contacted via www.omsoul.com -- 800-307-7651 or 800-307-7685. Contact the Family Resources Center at 309-637-1713.

NEW: "Celebrating the Annunciation and Incarnation of Jesus"--Annunciation reflections booklet includes play for student performance on the Annunciation entitled--published by One More Soul, available via OMS or the Family Resources Center. This companion to the Annunciation Church/School Program offers an additional option for celebrating the day. Perfect for parish and school-based observance of the feast, this booklet includes reflections and thoughts of Biblical figures, suggestions for prayer and Rosary meditations (particularly the Joyful Mysteries), and an Annunciation-themed play that can serve as a counterpart to the familiar Christmas plays that bring the events of Christ's early life to the young performers and family members of all ages who attend in a way that leaves a poignant memory for all. In addition to print copies of the play, a DVD will soon be produced (contact the FRC for availability). One More Soul can be contacted via www.omsoul.com -- 800-307-7651 or 800-307-7685. Contact the Family Resources Center at 309-637-1713.

Mary’s Pregnancy. Willke, J.C., M.D. Cincinnati, OH: Hayes Pub. Co, 1989.

[Click the link above for the catalog's brochure section and scroll down for more info on this pamphlet, written by Dr. John C. Willke and published during his ten years as president of the premier U.S. pro-life organization National Right to Life Committee, reflects upon the pro-life implications of the nine month gestation of Christ within Mary and examines the issue of abortion from a Biblical perspective.]

Copies can be purchased from Hayes Publishing Co., Inc., 6304 Hamilton Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45224; For current prices contact Hayes Pub. Co. at (513) 681-9298; fax (513) 681-9298; e-mail hayespub@aol.com ; website http://hayespub.tripod.com; online catalog http://hayespub.tripod.com/NewCatalog.html or request a catalog at http://hayespub.tripod.com/NewCatReq.html

Also available in Spanish (El Embarazo de Maria ) & Portuguese

3 1/2" X 9" -- 8 Pages [NOTE--AS OF 3/13 ONLY THE SPANISH VERSION "El Embarazo de Maria" APPEARED IN THE ONLINE CATALOG]

Maria, el Primer Sagrario. (Mary, the First Tabernacle), by Julia de Mouriño. ISBN: 987-05-0199-0

A Spanish language book addressing the prenatal life of Christ. Pope Francis wrote the introduction to de Mouriño's book when he was Cardinal Bergoglio--to read the Holy Father's contribution visit our page Pope Francis on March 25th and Christ Unborn (and see more about his role promoting the day here). Click this link to read (in Spanish) about the book -- scroll down to: "7. ANUNCIOS IMPORTANTES." -- "(3) Nuevo libro revela la intimidad maternal de María con su Hijo Jesús" -- the article addresses the topic as it relates to the Feast of the Annunciation/Incarnation. Another article on the book can be found here -- scroll down to "ARGENTINA: LOS NUEVE MESES DE JESÚS EN EL SANTUARIO DE MARÍA. Julia E. Gómez Caride de Mouriño." To purchase click here. If unavailable from that source, contact Editorial Claretiana: e-mail contacto@editorialclaretiana.com ; website http://www.editorialclaretiana.com/.

Books and Videos for Children:

The Preborn Christ--A Story of God in the Womb. Written and Illustrated by Patrick A. O’Donnell, John D. McCarthy, and Susan Andrews Brindle. (Book includes both English and Spanish text, 64 pages. -- may be available from used book sellers--click here to check availability at Amazon). Get E-book and E-Coloring-Book free download versions from http://www.preciouslifeministries.org

My Time With Jesus: The Annunciation. A video on the Annunciation for children, available through EWTN Religious Catalogue -- available in DVD format -- for more info click HERE.

Prayers/Holy Cards, Art Prints & Posters

(Click here for free “Prayer to Christ Unborn / March 25” cards offered via this site--sample will include the illus. version featuring the image on the home page, plus a text-only version in card and bookmark form.)

Unborn Word Alliance offers large format (6”x4”) full-color pro-life prayer cards designed for modern sensibilities, featuring prayers focused on Christ’s prenatal life--they also offer a free sample. The cards can be viewed and ordered via its on-line store. Most appropriate for distribution on March 25th are “Litany of the Unborn Christ Child” (also avail. in Spanish), and “Angelus of Praise/9 Reasons to Honor Unborn Jesus)” (also avail. in Spanish). For more information e-mail info@unbornwordalliance.com or visit their contact page to order the free sample.

The Litany to Jesus in the Womb of Mary by Marta Catalano (also known as "The Helpers' Litany to Jesus in the Womb of Mary") -- this prayer can be found in the Pro-Life Action League's "Life Witness Prayer Book" available at their on-line store. Read more about it here. The Litany is also the closing prayer from "Prayers for Peace and Justice: Act Justly, Love Tenderly, Walk Humbly." The prayer litany was written by Marta Catalano, a member of The Helpers of God's Precious Infants (718-853-2789) located in Brooklyn, NY.

[Also See Below: "Mother Of Life" holy cards with the art print of the same name, as well as the "Gospel of Life Icon," and the "Visitation Icon"]

Our Lady of the Millennium--Prints and Wall Art (The John Brandi Co. version used on this site’s opening page)

[Visit our home page to view the image, and read A Note on the Artwork]

This beautiful image has been produced in various formats including prints and plaques.

NOTE: There are several paintings that share this name “Our Lady of the Millennium” so don’t order “sight unseen.” (Crafters should be further warned that the cross stitch “Our Lady of the Millennium” is NOT the same image but a modification showing a standard Madonna and child depiction.) If your local Catholic/Christian store doesn’t carry the print, contact one of the retailers below:

Visit https://www.churchsupplywarehouse.com for their current offerings.

Another seller that carries the print is https://www.tonini.net

The Lamp Book Shop.. Call 410-675-7023 or toll-free 800-371-0409 for their current offerings.

For additional retailers phone or e-mail jbrandico@aol.com at 1-800-562-9135

Mother Of Life, by Nellie Edwards--Prints and Wall Art (An evening scene showing an expectant Mary dressed as Our Lady of Guadalupe, with her hands on either side of a point of light emanating from her womb and a night sky with a bright star in the background--different from the image used on this site's home page)

Click here for "Mother of Life" Wall Art--Framed Pictures

"Mother of Life" Note/Christmas Cards: Mother Of Life in smaller greeting card format -- the front reads, "And the Word was made Flesh" while the inside features the "Word Made Flesh" poem on the stages of Jesus' prenatal life by Nellie Edwards (the poem text can be read at Edwards' "Painted Faith (Visuals to Help Build the Culture of Life)" site.

"Mother Of Life" Holy Cards: Click here for a holy card version with a pro-life prayer

One More Soul offers a free download of a color print to post or distribute with traditional artwork depicting the Annunciation and the script text "Celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation of Our Lord" (the date is not included so it is ideal for transfer years in which the feast is postponed) -- to view the image and to access the download link at One More Soul's Annunciation webpage, click here

The Gospel of Life Icon by Msgr. Anthony La Femina.

[This depiction of the Annunciation (rendered in traditional iconographic style) shows the unborn Christ in Mary’s transparent womb with rays of light descending from the Holy Spirit symbolized by a dove.]

This theologically rich icon (embossed with gold and silver highlights) has been produced in several formats: For the icon click here, or click the following links and scroll down to see the prayer card version (item 0513) here or here.

#0513 Gospel of Life Prayer Card is 4” x 5 1/8” image with prayer from Gospel of Life Encyclical on back

To check availability of the following items, please use contact info. below:

#2500 18" x 25" Gospel of Life Poster with Jn 1 Quote including “The Word became flesh…” or

#2501 16" x 20" Gospel of Life Framable Print (without quote)

New Hope Publications (Their catalog can be downloaded from http://www.newhope-ky.org -- the Pro-Life Issues section of a previous catalog notes that the poster is available by request.)

Phone (270) 325-3061 or Fax (270) 325-3091

The Visitation Icon Click the title to see an image of the Visitation Icon, depicting the moment described in scripture when the unborn Jesus and unborn John the Baptist had their first meeting through Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth. The unborn children are visible via the artist's window-on-the-womb rendering. This artwork is a helpful and memorable visual aid to highlight the prenatal life of Christ, and this important moment of interaction between John and Jesus before birth--card sized reproductions are ideal for school and church distribution. For wall art versions visit http://www.eikonastudios.com/store/, or go directly to their order page for the Visitation Icon -- use their contact link for small card pricing and availablility or call toll free 1-877-334-5662.

(Note: There are many versions of the Visitation Icon, most of which do not show the unborn Christ and John--order prayer cards and prints only when you can see the image.)

Day Of The Unborn Child/Annunciation Poster-Style Graphics

Many graphics for the Day of the Unborn Child include the year and can only be used once. The following links provide a sampling of images that can be used annually as only the month and day are shown--for direct links, click to view & right-click to save): Free poster-type graphics can be found at visit http://prolifemn.blogspot.com -- The following image has simple white text with photo -- International Day of the Unborn Child graphic with March 25 date and photo quality image of unborn child -- the next graphic encourages us to "Celebrate" prenatal life on March 25th: International Day Of The Unborn Child March 25 graphic with multicolor text on background of high quality sepia-tone sonogram style image -- and another version same as previous with white text here. Another similar graphic with circular text around a photo of an unborn child can be seen at this site that also gives suggested activities for the Day of the Unborn Child -- http://cbcpforlife.com -- for a direct link to see the image click here. Other graphics used for the Annunciation/Day of the Unborn Child include the "God Was An Embryo" banner featured at this website that also includes prayers and blessings for the unborn (for a direct link to see the image click here), and also the "Jesus Once Looked Like This" graphic featuring the image of a human being at the embryonic age at this webpage that also explains the reasoning behind the image, which can be accessed directly here.

Poster Set (10 laminated posters span the 9 months of pregnancy showing month-by-month prenatal development -- order the series that begins with the moment of conception -- the text for the first poster reads, "I'm here!"). Available from Heritage House '76, Inc. -- visit http://www.hh76.com -- or call 1-800-858-3040. These can be tied into the Annunciation and Jesus' Journey in the Womb by using them with the 10 "Jesus in the Womb" reflections included on a CD of attractively formatted documents in the Feast of the Annunciation Church/School Program of the Peoria Diocese Respect Life Board -- the first poster and reflection are used for the Annunciation, and the last for Christmas, while the remaining 8 cover the intervening months. To order additional publications that can be used with the Heritage House posters, see the section on the "Annunciation Church/School Program" booklets available via the Family Resources Center of the Peoria Diocese Respect Life Board, or One More Soul -- e-mail famresct@mtco.com or call 309-637-1713.

Articles:

Obligations and the Incarnation -- By Donald Prudlo, Ph.D. Proposes that the ancient Annunciation feast of Christ's conception and Incarnation be made a holy day of obligation for Catholics (replacing the fairly recent January 1st holy day to avoid the burden of an additional requirement). The author states that the Annunciation is a day "which has been historically underappreciated, and which – in light of the pro-life movement – could be a significant grace-filled opportunity for the Church. The obligation of attendance on 1 January should be shifted to the ancient feast of the Annunciation, or the Conception of Christ, on 25 March. Indeed in the medieval period this was New Year’s Day, for on this day the Son of God entered and changed human history forever." Read the full text here.

[To return to home page click http://dayoftheunbornchild.com/ ]

Page Updated 6/19/16