Although January seriously signals pro-life advocacy, Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity didn’t invite Vicki Thorn to come to Manitowoc, WI, to talk about her tireless work in Project Rachel, the aftermath of abortion or Natural Family Planning. We could have.
We didn’t invite Vicki to share what it is like to be a member of the Pontifical Academy for Life either. We are grateful that someone gifted with common sense and real experience in raising a family should be charged with studying and informing not only Church-minded people about ethical and moral issues surrounding the sanctity of life, but media and the whole of society.
Rather, she arrived from her home in nearby Milwaukee to be part of a simple meeting with our Sisters entrusted with the responsibility of not only forming new members of our Franciscan Community, but often mentoring young women on college and university campuses, and in the work place who are discerning their unique calls from God.
In many ways, this was an intimate conversation on the spiritual and psychological wounds carried by young people 
today. It was also a recounting of the resilience of the human spirit, the need for building strong relationships and ‘untieing’ the next generation to be forgiving, loving women that are so needed in our world.
Vicki recommended this book: Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés’ book Untie the Strong Woman: Blessed Mother’s Immaculate Love for the Wild Soul. Make it a winter ‘must read’. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.
