On September 10, the Sanctuary of Life will be inaugurated in Querétaro, the first of its kind in the world. This sanctuary aims to offer “comfort and shelter” to women who have “chosen to abort” and to promote education in the values of life and human dignity.
It is located in the chapel attached to the Santa Clara church, in the Historic Center of the Querétaro capital, just one block from the headquarters of the local Legislature. Its creation in 2009 followed a failed attempt to decriminalize abortion in the state Congress.
Patricia Dorantes, a collaborator of the sanctuary, told ACI Prensa that at that time they were looking for “a place to give thanks for life” and a meeting space to “protect life,” as well as a temple where “people could see that God is the giver of life.”
Although activities stopped during the pandemic, the sanctuary has since become a bastion for the promotion of life in Querétaro. With its reopening, a new stage begins for this space, dedicated to the defense of life.
Dorantes pointed out that one of the main objectives is “that our Lord is recognized as the giver of life, that the person can feel that relief and welcome in that moment” that they are going through.
“During these 15 years we have seen that women cry over this decision [to abort]. We have to be there to listen to everything they tell us. There are women who cry in that silence and cannot be at peace. When they arrive [at the sanctuary] they have that comfort,” said Dorantes.
In addition to its emotional support work, the Sanctuary of Life has the purpose of “educating in the values of sexuality.” Dorantes explained that it also focuses on “educating about the dignity of the baby as a human right.” The sanctuary also aims to provide support to men, since “an abortion also hurts them.”
The sanctuary also aims to be a space of support for families facing “problems with their pregnancies,” offering “blessings of wombs.” It also welcomes women who have had difficulty conceiving, offering them support and comfort.
As part of the preparation for the reopening, a novena has begun on September 2 at 6:00 p.m. (local time) with the participation of various parish groups. On September 8, a kermesse will be held at noon, and on September 9, a conference on the defense of life will be given by Rodrigo Iván Cortes, president of the National Front for Life.
Finally, on September 10, the day of the reopening, a solemn Mass will be held at 6:00 p.m., presided over by Monsignor Fidencio López Plaza, Bishop of Querétaro, during which a ceremony of blessing of wombs will be held.
Source: aciprensa
