MARY WAGNER
OTHER LIFESITENEWS ARTICLES ABOUT MARY
Stay Away from Abortion Clinics?: "No Way" Says Jailed Pro-Lifer to Release Condition
Former Postulant in French Convent Arrested after Entering Toronto Abortion Clinics to Witness to Life
Stay Away from Abortion Clinics?: "No Way" Says Jailed Pro-Lifer to Release Condition
Former Postulant in French Convent Arrested after Entering Toronto Abortion Clinics to Witness to Life
Letters from Mary
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Dear Friends for Life, "When were You in prison, and I visited You?" (cf., Mt. 25:39) Mary Wagner, the peaceful pro-lifer who has been unjustly arrested for defending life, has been moved to the Vanier Women's Detention Center in Milton, Ontario (a nearby suburb of Toronto). Her court date is scheduled for Wednesday, April 14. Prayers for her are widely encouraged. If you would like to visit Mary or send her a letter of support, I'm sure she would very much appreciate your encouragement. Here is the information about the prison where Mary Wagner is currently being held as a pro-life prisoner of conscience: tel: 905-876-8300 address: Vanier WDC 655 Martin St. Box 1040 Milton, ON L9T 5E6 Canada For those wishing to send her a letter please observe the following rules, and note that the detention staff reads all material that is sent: 1) Do not use stickers (e.g., address, return address, pro-life, religious, etc.) on the envelope or card. 2) Do not send anything that is laminated (e.g., cards, bookmarks, prayer cards, pro-life literature, photos, etc.). Non-laminated items are approved. 3) Do not ask direct questions about her daily activity at the detention center. 4) Put your address directly on the card or letter. (Sometimes the mail sorter keeps the envelope and I'm sure Mary would enjoy writing you back.) 5) If you wish to send money to Mary (for stamps, envelopes, etc.) please only send a money order made out to "Mary Wagner." 6) Any Christian or pro-life articles would be appreciated, but the jail will not accept any pictures of aborted children. If you would like to visit Mary, you must call 48 hrs in advance and arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled visit. The visits are half hour long, and are at 2, 2:30 and 6pm, I believe. But YOU should ask the staff what else there is to know about visiting; there are lockers for your belongings, and you can't leave anything for her, except a cash donation. Mail has to go through the Post. So if you know anyone who might consider visiting Mary, I'm sure she would really appreciate the friendly faces, so do spread the word. Two visitors may attend any visitation with her. Thank you for your concern for and solidarity with the innocent victims of our culture. +Christ is risen! will goodman. PS- If you have any additional questions, please call me at 608.698.7443. --- "Verso l'alto!" (To the heights!) +Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati(transcribed by jld)
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An update on Mary Wagner (an email from her mother). 4-8-2010
Hello,
I don't have much news regarding Mary, but I will send what I have:
I spoke with Mary this morning. (a friend in Toronto set up a conference call and muted her end so that we could chat, since Mary can't make collect long distance calls from prison). She says she is well and that there are pregnant women in jail that she is working on to have their babies (talk about a captive audience). So, you are right in saying that there is work for
her to do in prison too. Although she doesn't have her bible yet or the office, she has a copy of the King James and is adapting.
There is no chaplain for the Womens' prison, but a woman from the Salvation Army came by and talked to Mary on Good Friday. I can imagine that it would have been difficult for Mary to be unable to attend any of the services for the Easter Tridium, but she has probably memorized her prayers and I'm sure she made do. They were on lock-down over the Easter weekend, which meant they were in their cells all day. But she prayed and read her bible and tried to participate in the Passion from where she was. There is no Mass in prison but she is going to make her requests known.
Mary has glimpsed Linda Gibbons and said "hi" in passing, but there is not much chance to socialize. I think they have a common room on each unit where the women can go during the day but they don't move off their unit. They get only 20 minutes a day in the courtyard for fresh air or to make a phone call, but the food is adequate, better than the lean times in the novitiate in France,
where they relied on donations for food. It is very noisy as the bars don't keep out the noise on the unit, but she is fine with that too. All in all, she was not complaining and seemed happy enough. She has a video appearance (?) in lieu of a court appearance, on April 15th. She is going to seek legal aid to deal with false allegations that the abortion clinic made against her. I guess she wants to keep the account of her rescue pure, in the sense that it be honestly portrayed. I'm glad to hear that
she is doing this and not allowing them to say whatever they want without challenge.
We were cut off just before the 20 minutes were up so there was more to say,
but she has promised a letter so we will wait for that.
Please keep her in your prayers that Our Lady will enfold her in the safety of her Mantle
and that Mary will do God's work as He wishes her to.
Thank you so much for being there for her in the days leading up to her arrest.
I know that this helped her more than you probably know.
Pray for us too!
God Bless, Jane (transcribed by jld)
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Excerpt of a letter from Mary Wagner, still a pro-life prisoner of conscience.
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Dear friends,
Today I received an email from Mary Wagner's mother which
included an excerpt from Mary. Please pray for Mary and her
efforts in the prison to speak with many pregnant women
who are in the Vanier Detention Center.
If you are able-- please send her a letter and let her know
you are thinking of her. (Address in earlier FB note.) Thank you. +wg. ------------
from Jane Wagner to will goodman,
date Wed, Apr 21, 2010 at 11:09 AM
subject note from Mary
Here is an excerpt from a letter we received yesterday from Mary. She is unusually somber in this note because of the pain she is feeling over the loss of the babies she was hoping would be saved. I know that she is also starved for the Blessed Sacrament, although she says she makes a spiritual communion every day. I thought you would want to share in her ongoing story:
.......I have received some mail already from Fr Marianus and Fr Joseph and from Will and Jen from Wisconsin. They included a little picture of [baby] Beatrice I'd left with them...I just noticed she has Britta's hands and long slender fingers. She is so beautiful and alert for a baby so young. She must be very bright-no wonder, I suppose, and she'll get all the love and attention, and nurturing she'll need, and more. Let us pray her Baptism will be a source of grace for the whole family.
You may have heard the prayer intention for the young woman here who went to abort her twins (or triplets). A lot of people were upset, I think because she looked so obviously pregnant--she was probably at least 5 months, maybe six or seven. In prison, of course, one is not allowed out except for court or medical emergency, and the other exception is to kill your baby, still in the womb. We've abolished capital punishment in Canada except if you are in the womb and are guilty of being unwanted by your mother or by those who pressure her into consenting to this death sentence.
It would not surprise me if, a few years down the road, women who want to commit suicide in prison will be allowed to do so. As it is now, they are moved to a special surveillance unit, but one could argue that she has a 'right to choose' what she wants to do with her body, and what would be the legal argument to stop her? May God have mercy on us and wake us up from this lethargic state we have fallen into, and may He stir our hearts and enlighten our minds so that we would turn back towards Him and adore Him "in spirit and in truth". The rest will follow.
I hope you are cherishing this special time with little Bea in your lives.....
love you lots! God Bless you and keep you, Mary (transcribed by jld)
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Letter from Mary Wagner to Will Goodman 5-3-10 & 5-9-10
(Some names have been changed to protect privacy.)
Dear Will,
"Peace be with you"! "My peace I give you- not as the world gives do I give you peace". (Jn14)
Will, thank you for all the prayers and encouraging letters, and for the "Columbia" you sent in. Just
so you know, they often will not allow me to receive magazines- they go into my effects, ("property"),
directly.
Tell me how you are doing? How are things with the apostolate?
I've been corresponding with Fr Tom Zoelle, one of the Madonna House priests, and Monica one
of the women's "housemoms". They have been very encouraging. I hope you get up there some
time either before the flies get too bad or afterwards. I hear they are very unpleasant - but then
again, it would be a chance to do some penance..... : )
May 9, 2010 Mother's day
Hello again!
Will, I really like the quote of Anthony Padovano- "We are not saved by the physical death of Jesus,
but by the absoluteness of a love which did not count death too high a price".
If you ever get a chance to read the anthology of Fr. Philippe's writings and talks/homilies I Thirst he
brings this to light so beautifully. The"action" (of dying) is limited - and can only be a sign of the
unlimited Love of Our Lord, to which it points. This is important to keep "within us", because of
the pervasive tendency to believe more "action ", or more of a certain action, is what is necessary
for the world today. What do you think?
I'll try to express what I am getting at - this will sort of overlap with what I was writing to Father O'Hara
Last week, a man named Peter came to visit me. He visits Linda regularly. Last year he retired from
teaching in a Catholic school. In 1990, one of his students confided in him that she was pregnant.
He was very supportive & encouraging and she was happy despite the timing - until the pressure from
family got to her and she became abortion-minded. Peter tried everything, but in the end she went
to let the baby be killed. Like the Good Shepherd - or like any good father - he met her there to
try once more. His intervention resulted in him being arrested, and despite his efforts, the baby was killed.
On top of that the school did not appreciate the loving action which led to those events.
My point in sharing this story is that Peter let love lead him - He did not arrange his life so he could
make the transition into incarceration as smooth as possible. He was a man of prayer, who took
responsibility for his work-and for the people entrusted to him-and when, within certain circumstances
of his daily life, he realized something out of the ordinary was being asked of him, he did not stop to look
at his actions, so much as he kept his gaze fixed on the "the lost sheep". As Catherine Doherty would say-
he was "living the Gospel without compromise", because he was living to the fill "the duty of the moment".
(Catherine was very inspired by Jean de Canssade's book, Abandonment to Divine Providence. You
may remember my good friend, Michael (who was a teacher at the time when you came to speak at his
school). He also found himself in the same circumstances as Peter-but Michael couldn't find her until
it was too late.
As we continue to respond to the Love Our Lord lavishes upon us , so aware of this present crisis
of Christ totally abandoned in so many of our helpless brothers and sisters-in the womb, in hospitals
& nursing homes, etc- I believe we must strive more and more to enter into the "sacrament of the present
moments"; For no better reason that that we can only love in the present moment.
When speaking with people who are already sensitive to this crisis, I believe we must emphasize the
primacy of Adoration- not just a certain amount of time we give to being with Our Lord in the Eucharist,
but to awaken to the reality of His Constant Presence, this desire of the Father, the Father who "seeks
adorers in spirit and in truth", to give Himself to us so that we may give ourselveds fully to Him, in the
present moment. This calls for a radical abandonment into His loving arms-to lead us wherever He pleases.
"It is not the Father's will that even one of these should perish, and I pray that many others would come
forward to stand in the gap" where the law no longer "serves and protects". But would it be any less of a
sign of hope to hear of even a few- even one- who would love a mother enough- someone they know- to
walk that far with her in love & truth, just for her & her baby?
What comes to mind are Mother Teresa's words: "I don't see crowds. I only see one Person-Jesus- and
since there in only one Jesus, I can only see Him, one person at a time". Mother Teresa heard & received
Jesus' cry of Thirst-a cry which was first heard only by those who remained with Jesus long enough to
stand with Him at the Cross. But Mother T insisted that His cry of Thirst is for each one of us, personally-
the works published post-humously make this very clear also.
Reading Jen's letter about Miriam and the "no feeling" policy, how literally this Thirst of Christ is present among the elderly & disabled today. We need to stand by our elderly brothers and sisters, as you did for
Miriam. I hope that many others would join you in "adopting" those who can no longer care for themselves.
I will pray for the Karlen family.
Come, O Holy Spirit.. renew the face of the earth!
Peace,
Mary
(transcribed by jld)
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Letter from Mary Wagner to Will Goodman 5-19-10 St Crispin
(Some names have been changed to protect privacy.)
+
Greetings Will!
I hope this fines you well. I can't tell you what a wonderful surprise and joy it was
to see you yesterday! Seeing Amy's & your shining faces brought me much joy,
peace, and encouragement. Thank you for taking the time to make the long
journey once again.
Thanks for all your news and greetings from our friends from all over. Please return
the greetings and my heartfelt thanks for the long-distance union in prayer.
I'm so glad you came up for the March for Life & had a chance to encourage
my fellow Canadians. Did you "get a feel" for the prolife climate up here?
Please tell me what you found, honestly. Were there many young people?
Did you cross paths with Fr. Tom Lynch or Rosemary C?
(his sister-a good friend of Linda. She had wanted to meet you.) What was the
theme this year (if any)? Did Cardinal Ouellette speak?
Some of my family went to the March in Victoria BC's capital City. They were
expecting a larger crowd than in the past, and the bishop of Victoria, Richard Gagnon,
was to say the Mass prior to the March.
Will, my sister mentioned that an old friend for life had contacted her when he heard about
Linda & I in prison. Joseph and his wife Mary (and their kids), are evangelicals
who have been doing full time pro-life work in central/eastern Canada for many years. I've been
thinking lately that it would be very good for them to meet you. They both have artistic backgrounds
and are into modern media - Joseph's a talented musician. They are also sensitive to the reality of the
many birth controls that cause abortion.
Are you in touch with Anne? I'm praying for the young mom & her baby whom Anne
is helping. Does Anne sidewalk counsel regulary still? I'm sure she found it encouraging to meet
you and to learn about the SOLG. Do you know if anyone in the Toronto area does outreach
at abortifacient sites?
I mentioned to you and Amy that almost every woman I've spoken to about the reason I am
here has told me she is post abortive. What strikes me in their readiness to admit that abortion
is wrong, (most say that), and that they regret it. Sometimes there is an attempt to justify it,
but most often, eventually there is the acknowledgment of the truth. Please pray for Y
and A, two mothers who aborted their children. Y had twins or triplets- around the
time I came in. The justification was the fear the children would be handicapped because of
their drug abuse. The logic goes that they would be more "at ease" knowing their were dead than
possibly living with a disability. I do believe that underneath it all lies a deep wound. where the
mothers, not knowing their own dignity, are incapable of upholding their child's. Ask them to
wait until the child is in school and see if the disability is bad enough they should be put to death,
and how many would say they think that is ok? They haven't seen their child, haven't been attracted
by the beauty and vulnerability of their little ones, so they can shut down - and doesn't the rest
of the population follow suit? Your words come back to me, describing the attempt to stand in
the gap for the little ones: you described it as "reasonable", "necessary", "right and realistic".
As Father O'Hara said, an act "common decency demands...an act of hope." I appreciate the
good, accurate use of language here. The act itself is healthful, normal on the human level, let
alone for the Christian. We must insist on this. Perhaps living out the results of standing in the
gap demands a lot of strength - certainly in the case of Dr. Biscet, and for repeated interventions
also. But every Christian is promised the help of the Holy Spirit, and we are assured that
"God will not be outdone in generosity". - I know I wrote something to this effect in a previous
letter, but I feel the need to come back to this point.
It is very good you are in touch with Pat. He needs the encouragement of other believers and lovers
of life. His letters to me have been a great encouragement. In his last letter, he included an excerpt from
Caryl House-Landers book, Wood of the Cradle, Wood of the Cross. Here is the some of the excerpt:
"It is seldom, when much is asked for, that human nature fails to respond. Rather, it is when too little
(as we think) is asked of us...that we fail when the offering seems too slight or fragmentary, when
it seems absurd in the face of eternal love that consecrates it and the immensity of the human suffering
that needs it. ...Christ has forestalled all that. The offering to be changed into His Flesh
is the most fragile water of unleavened bread, light as the petal of a rose: flexible, colorless, only barely
a substance at all. It is made out of tiny separate grains. It is this that Christ chooses for His supreme
miracle of love...."
Pat was commenting on the fact that institutionalized "little adorers", losing ourselves in
HIS LOVE & TRUTH so that He will dwell in us, work in us, Love in us & shine His light through us.
It is true that wea re not certain of loving even another day to give ourselves completely to Our Loving
Father- so he only waits for us to let Him in right now. Isn't this the little way?
I keep you very much in my prayers, and all the work He's doing in you & with you.
God bless you & keep you!
Your sister in Christ,
Mary
PS Greetings to Jen! : )(transcribed by jld)
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Letter #2 from Mary Wagner, pro-life prisoner of conscience.
+
Dear friends and prayerful intercessors,
Here is a copy of an email I just received from Mary's
Mother. Please pray for Mary. Her court date is
scheduled for July 7th. The charge she has been
given has been downgraded to "mischief". [!!] This is
considered in Canada as a light or petty offence.
Thanks! +wg.
==========
May 24th, 2010
"Greetings loved ones! I hope this little letter finds you well and brings a little cheer to you.
This afternoon I had a lovely surprise visit from Mr & Mrs S, P's parents.
We had a great visit....and they were able to see that I'm ok, and they both giggled when
I told them that the main reason we watch the news is because the women here like to see
who is getting arrested. I had forgotten this funny fact! Mrs S is going to send me some
prayer cards I can share with the women.
Today was hot! We got out for fresh air about 10am and it was well into the 20s. The baby birds
in the nests in the courtyard were chirping away, and we could hear the animated cries/cheers
of the childrens' baseball game somewhere beyond the brick walls.
We were locked in most of yesterday (I like to have days of silence like that), and I wrote
some letters and had a longer time of prayer and lectio divina. In the evening we were out
for a little while, and several of us gathered and read the Mass readings for the Solemnity
of Pentecost. We had a good talk and prayed together a little. It was very loud with the
weekend population and the TV blaring, but it was something, and we had a little snacking
on jujubes I'd ordered from the canteen just for Pentecost:)
Throughout the Easter Season I've been reading a lot of the Acts of the Apostles...they are so
interesting and encouraging. I wonder how many years St. Paul spent in prison. In Chapter 20,
vs 23, St. Paul says to the elders at Ephesus "...In every city the Holy Spirit has warned me
that prison awaits me." He's a great friend to have, especially while in prison! :) Something
helpful to recall is that, no matter where we are, The Holy Spirit will always be there with us,
and we can reach Him anytime....
Father Nathan sent me a lovely letter and a text of Fr. Philippe for translation, as I'd asked him.
It has been *wonderful reading Fr. Philippe's words again and I am just working on editing the
translation. I've been working on a piece the past few days called: "L'action de graces du Pere".
I'm wondering whether to translate the title directly,"The Thanksgiving of the Father", or according
to a style preference: "The Father gives Thanks". The text is about 10 pages, including references,
and it is fairly straightforward. I'm not sure where it will be published-usually short texts are chosen
for the brothers' "letter to our friends", copies of which you have seen.
Yesterday three brothers I know (and 5 or 6 that I don't), made perpetual vows in Ars, France.
You had forwarded me a letter and invitation that one of the brothers sent to me at your address.
(dear Br. Marie-Geraud). It brought me a lot of joy thinking of them making their call permanent.
I got to know Br Marie Geraud when I was in St. Jodard and we were the mechanics for the
brothers and sisters there. His blood brother, Br Marie Baptiste, also made vows yesterday,
as did Br John James, whom Cory met when he went to Princeville. He is the guest master there.....
Mom, I look forward to the long letter you mentioned sending:) It should come this week.
I hope to hear from more of you guys. I think of you often and remain very much united to you
all in prayer and in spirit. I pray that God would enlighten your paths in Love and Truth and
fill you with an increasing desire for the most important success: close friendship with
God---holiness, as He has planned for each of us, in His own way, as fits each one in
his/her unrepeatable ability. :)
God Bless and keep you.
All my love and prayers,
Mary
(transcribed by jld)
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Letter from Mary Wagner to Will Goodman 5-31-10 Feast of the Visitation
(Some names have been changed to protect privacy.)
Greetings, Will!
I hope this finds you well. I'm suspecting within a few days of sending this I'll receive a letter from you,
but hello again anyways!
Did I mention I'd met with Deacon Thomas, and he hopes to bring me the Blessed Sacrament June 9th?!
The local assistant pastor Fr Paul, is awaiting clearance to come- it may take months but at least then
he'll be free to come; Deo gratias!
My Mom sent a letter after Sally's confirmation-on the eve of Pentecost. The bishop
(Bishop Richard Gagnon, whom you met in Nanchmo) confirmed them, and after Mass, all the kids took
their turns to pose with him for a picture. Instead of going to pose, she took the opportunity to plead on my
behalf for the sacraments! : ) My Mom told the story well- I just wanted to let you know how sweet that
was. Mom wrote, " "the gift of fortitude went straight to her tongue"! : ) May she keep it up in the midst of
this widespread cultural timidity where in there is a tendency to mistake cowardice for meekness.
John B sent me some LifeSite articles re: the March & the hate speech in the Quebeccois media
(Patrick Legace) directed at Cardinal Ouellet, who defended in love the truth of the child's right to be
protected from murder when she is following rape. I'm waiting for addresses so I can write the Cardinal and the journalist. He actually said, if the quote was accurate, that he hoped the Cardinal dies a slow and
agonizing death! May God have mercy!
(Linda will have had the trial by the time you read this) If you can believe it, Crown Council it not "ready" to procede. Trial postponed for ? months. I wanted to send her a word of encouragement, but the communication with other inmates within the prison who are off the range is not allowed, even if I mail her
a letter.
One of Canada's maintstream, national papers, "The National Post" will feature a story on Linda- religion
columnist. He recently did a story on the Sisters of Life.
Can you fill me in on how you are and on any news? Is Lila Rose's expose of PP in the mainstream news?
Fr. Marianus has been so good at writing & with the spiritual support. Fr O'Hara sent a long letter
that arrived a few days after you & Amy visited. Fr Nathan sent a beautiful letter and one of Father
Philippe's texts "The Thanksgiving of The Father", related to Mary, the incarnation & the Eucharist.
You'd love it. I'm well supported by my brothers- be they in a community or lay apostolate or other...
and this to me is a great consolation.
Hope to hear from you soon!God bless you Will,MaryPs. Please send my greetings to Jen! : )(transcribed by jld)
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Letter from Mary Wagner to Will Goodman 6-13-10 Immaculate Heart of Mary
(Some names have been changed to protect privacy.)
Dear Will,
Just a few words to send along with a letter to Jen. I hope this finds you well. I hpe you received
the letter I wrote you after you & Amy came to see me. Jen mentioned you're probably writing me.
How are things?
Last Wednesday the Deacon came by again, and it was "restful" to see him. He said he hopes to
bring me Holy Communion June 23...but that was our hope for the last visit, and the one before; the day of
my trial would be (after the 23rd) the next possible time he could come, (the prison sets his visiting hours),
so it is quite likely the next time I'll be able to receive Our Lord will be shortly after my release. God's will be
done. The good news is that Fr. Paul, once cleared, should be able to minister to the other Catholics here,
and eventually find a time slot. Deacon Thomas was telling me there used to be a religious sister who came here,
until her health declined and she was no longer able to come. No one filled her shoes, and the Catholics
"lost our place" in the cycle of religious visitors/volunteers. Deacon Joe is beginning to initiate things once again,
Deo gratias!
Friday evening Mrs T came to see me, a good friend fo the S family, who I came to know last summer/fall through the
B's. (The S's are from Toronto & have lived many years in NJ, with their growing family)
Mrs. T and her husband have ten children, 13-33, and are members of Opus Dei. She wants to come to the trial and help me with practical matters upon my release. Her offer is yet another sign of God's providential care and the solicitude of Our Blessed Mother. I'll likely spend the night with them before flying back to the coast to meet my newest niece &
nephew, (evening July 8) see more of the family, and take some much needed time with Our Lord. There's a convent of
Poor Clares on Vancouver Island and they have a little hermitage for guests, to whom they give a key for the chapel...
(I'm dreaming of these hoped-for days of silence, alone with God)
P's parents live in the Toronto area, they visited a few weeks ago & told me I'll always be welcome to stay with them,
which is so kind and yet another blessing. I guess I'm taking Mrs T up on her offer b/c she asked about specifics & will
likely be there on the 7th.
I can't recall if I wrote you already about Linda's supposed trial June 2 & 3rd? It had been postponed yet again because
the crown needed more time- I don't know many of the details. There was a great surprise when she returned from court
& was placed in the same range as I am. We visited over breakfast, and she was then told to change ranges.... it was
unusual, and I figure there was simply too much joy in one place for how things normally are in here; somebody decided
they'd better move her. Linda has touched so many of the women here with her warmth and kindness. She was again moved later that day to a range one is sent to usually as a punishment. Don't know what possible reason. They could
have given Linda, but wherever she is, she undoubtedly brings within her the light of Christ.
My parents told me your friend Fred is praying for me. Please thank him on my behalf. I am also praying for him.
Mr. H came by last week and inter-viewed Linda & me. It was good to see Mr. H again. I told him about Dr Oscar
Biscet (when he came just to visit the week before the interview), and when he came again, he said he'd looked it up.
Mr H is making a documentary as well, and has spent the past several years interviewing & writing. Did you have a chance to connect with him? I really pray that he and his wife could talk with you.
This afternoon, (Sunday now), my lawyer came by, and I'm happy with her. It was the first time I met her. I'm pretty sure she's
prolife, which is a big help, obviously, even if to the judge this may seem irrelevant-I mean the whole context of the so-called "offence".
The chaplain dropped off the New American Bible (Catholic), and I am thrilled....
"Now since the children share in blood and flesh, he likewise shared in them that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who through fear of death had been subjected to slavery all their life".
(Heb, 2:14,15)
This passage, esp. the parts I've underlined, really struck me when I was reading Hebrews over the Triduum. To me, the stuggle is really there: allowing the attraction of Christ to become stronger than this fear that always keeps one in some respect enslaved.
["I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full". Do you remember this from Denver, WYD?]
I'll get this in the mail. Please do write again soon and pass on my greetings to Fr. O'Hara. Thank you for sending the accompanying letter to P-I don't know where to write him.
God bless you!
Mary
Dear Friends for Life, "When were You in prison, and I visited You?" (cf., Mt. 25:39) Mary Wagner, the peaceful pro-lifer who has been unjustly arrested for defending life, has been moved to the Vanier Women's Detention Center in Milton, Ontario (a nearby suburb of Toronto). Her court date is scheduled for Wednesday, April 14. Prayers for her are widely encouraged. If you would like to visit Mary or send her a letter of support, I'm sure she would very much appreciate your encouragement. Here is the information about the prison where Mary Wagner is currently being held as a pro-life prisoner of conscience: tel: 905-876-8300 address: Vanier WDC 655 Martin St. Box 1040 Milton, ON L9T 5E6 Canada For those wishing to send her a letter please observe the following rules, and note that the detention staff reads all material that is sent: 1) Do not use stickers (e.g., address, return address, pro-life, religious, etc.) on the envelope or card. 2) Do not send anything that is laminated (e.g., cards, bookmarks, prayer cards, pro-life literature, photos, etc.). Non-laminated items are approved. 3) Do not ask direct questions about her daily activity at the detention center. 4) Put your address directly on the card or letter. (Sometimes the mail sorter keeps the envelope and I'm sure Mary would enjoy writing you back.) 5) If you wish to send money to Mary (for stamps, envelopes, etc.) please only send a money order made out to "Mary Wagner." 6) Any Christian or pro-life articles would be appreciated, but the jail will not accept any pictures of aborted children. If you would like to visit Mary, you must call 48 hrs in advance and arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled visit. The visits are half hour long, and are at 2, 2:30 and 6pm, I believe. But YOU should ask the staff what else there is to know about visiting; there are lockers for your belongings, and you can't leave anything for her, except a cash donation. Mail has to go through the Post. So if you know anyone who might consider visiting Mary, I'm sure she would really appreciate the friendly faces, so do spread the word. Two visitors may attend any visitation with her. Thank you for your concern for and solidarity with the innocent victims of our culture. +Christ is risen! will goodman. PS- If you have any additional questions, please call me at 608.698.7443. --- "Verso l'alto!" (To the heights!) +Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati(transcribed by jld)
_____________________________________________________
An update on Mary Wagner (an email from her mother). 4-8-2010
Hello,
I don't have much news regarding Mary, but I will send what I have:
I spoke with Mary this morning. (a friend in Toronto set up a conference call and muted her end so that we could chat, since Mary can't make collect long distance calls from prison). She says she is well and that there are pregnant women in jail that she is working on to have their babies (talk about a captive audience). So, you are right in saying that there is work for
her to do in prison too. Although she doesn't have her bible yet or the office, she has a copy of the King James and is adapting.
There is no chaplain for the Womens' prison, but a woman from the Salvation Army came by and talked to Mary on Good Friday. I can imagine that it would have been difficult for Mary to be unable to attend any of the services for the Easter Tridium, but she has probably memorized her prayers and I'm sure she made do. They were on lock-down over the Easter weekend, which meant they were in their cells all day. But she prayed and read her bible and tried to participate in the Passion from where she was. There is no Mass in prison but she is going to make her requests known.
Mary has glimpsed Linda Gibbons and said "hi" in passing, but there is not much chance to socialize. I think they have a common room on each unit where the women can go during the day but they don't move off their unit. They get only 20 minutes a day in the courtyard for fresh air or to make a phone call, but the food is adequate, better than the lean times in the novitiate in France,
where they relied on donations for food. It is very noisy as the bars don't keep out the noise on the unit, but she is fine with that too. All in all, she was not complaining and seemed happy enough. She has a video appearance (?) in lieu of a court appearance, on April 15th. She is going to seek legal aid to deal with false allegations that the abortion clinic made against her. I guess she wants to keep the account of her rescue pure, in the sense that it be honestly portrayed. I'm glad to hear that
she is doing this and not allowing them to say whatever they want without challenge.
We were cut off just before the 20 minutes were up so there was more to say,
but she has promised a letter so we will wait for that.
Please keep her in your prayers that Our Lady will enfold her in the safety of her Mantle
and that Mary will do God's work as He wishes her to.
Thank you so much for being there for her in the days leading up to her arrest.
I know that this helped her more than you probably know.
Pray for us too!
God Bless, Jane (transcribed by jld)
_____________________________________________________
Excerpt of a letter from Mary Wagner, still a pro-life prisoner of conscience.
+
Dear friends,
Today I received an email from Mary Wagner's mother which
included an excerpt from Mary. Please pray for Mary and her
efforts in the prison to speak with many pregnant women
who are in the Vanier Detention Center.
If you are able-- please send her a letter and let her know
you are thinking of her. (Address in earlier FB note.) Thank you. +wg. ------------
from Jane Wagner to will goodman
date Wed, Apr 21, 2010 at 11:09 AM
subject note from Mary
Here is an excerpt from a letter we received yesterday from Mary. She is unusually somber in this note because of the pain she is feeling over the loss of the babies she was hoping would be saved. I know that she is also starved for the Blessed Sacrament, although she says she makes a spiritual communion every day. I thought you would want to share in her ongoing story:
.......I have received some mail already from Fr Marianus and Fr Joseph and from Will and Jen from Wisconsin. They included a little picture of [baby] Beatrice I'd left with them...I just noticed she has Britta's hands and long slender fingers. She is so beautiful and alert for a baby so young. She must be very bright-no wonder, I suppose, and she'll get all the love and attention, and nurturing she'll need, and more. Let us pray her Baptism will be a source of grace for the whole family.
You may have heard the prayer intention for the young woman here who went to abort her twins (or triplets). A lot of people were upset, I think because she looked so obviously pregnant--she was probably at least 5 months, maybe six or seven. In prison, of course, one is not allowed out except for court or medical emergency, and the other exception is to kill your baby, still in the womb. We've abolished capital punishment in Canada except if you are in the womb and are guilty of being unwanted by your mother or by those who pressure her into consenting to this death sentence.
It would not surprise me if, a few years down the road, women who want to commit suicide in prison will be allowed to do so. As it is now, they are moved to a special surveillance unit, but one could argue that she has a 'right to choose' what she wants to do with her body, and what would be the legal argument to stop her? May God have mercy on us and wake us up from this lethargic state we have fallen into, and may He stir our hearts and enlighten our minds so that we would turn back towards Him and adore Him "in spirit and in truth". The rest will follow.
I hope you are cherishing this special time with little Bea in your lives.....
love you lots! God Bless you and keep you, Mary (transcribed by jld)
_____________________________________________________
Letter from Mary Wagner to Will Goodman 5-3-10 & 5-9-10
(Some names have been changed to protect privacy.)
Dear Will,
"Peace be with you"! "My peace I give you- not as the world gives do I give you peace". (Jn14)
Will, thank you for all the prayers and encouraging letters, and for the "Columbia" you sent in. Just
so you know, they often will not allow me to receive magazines- they go into my effects, ("property"),
directly.
Tell me how you are doing? How are things with the apostolate?
I've been corresponding with Fr Tom Zoelle, one of the Madonna House priests, and Monica one
of the women's "housemoms". They have been very encouraging. I hope you get up there some
time either before the flies get too bad or afterwards. I hear they are very unpleasant - but then
again, it would be a chance to do some penance..... : )
May 9, 2010 Mother's day
Hello again!
Will, I really like the quote of Anthony Padovano- "We are not saved by the physical death of Jesus,
but by the absoluteness of a love which did not count death too high a price".
If you ever get a chance to read the anthology of Fr. Philippe's writings and talks/homilies I Thirst he
brings this to light so beautifully. The"action" (of dying) is limited - and can only be a sign of the
unlimited Love of Our Lord, to which it points. This is important to keep "within us", because of
the pervasive tendency to believe more "action ", or more of a certain action, is what is necessary
for the world today. What do you think?
I'll try to express what I am getting at - this will sort of overlap with what I was writing to Father O'Hara
Last week, a man named Peter came to visit me. He visits Linda regularly. Last year he retired from
teaching in a Catholic school. In 1990, one of his students confided in him that she was pregnant.
He was very supportive & encouraging and she was happy despite the timing - until the pressure from
family got to her and she became abortion-minded. Peter tried everything, but in the end she went
to let the baby be killed. Like the Good Shepherd - or like any good father - he met her there to
try once more. His intervention resulted in him being arrested, and despite his efforts, the baby was killed.
On top of that the school did not appreciate the loving action which led to those events.
My point in sharing this story is that Peter let love lead him - He did not arrange his life so he could
make the transition into incarceration as smooth as possible. He was a man of prayer, who took
responsibility for his work-and for the people entrusted to him-and when, within certain circumstances
of his daily life, he realized something out of the ordinary was being asked of him, he did not stop to look
at his actions, so much as he kept his gaze fixed on the "the lost sheep". As Catherine Doherty would say-
he was "living the Gospel without compromise", because he was living to the fill "the duty of the moment".
(Catherine was very inspired by Jean de Canssade's book, Abandonment to Divine Providence. You
may remember my good friend, Michael (who was a teacher at the time when you came to speak at his
school). He also found himself in the same circumstances as Peter-but Michael couldn't find her until
it was too late.
As we continue to respond to the Love Our Lord lavishes upon us , so aware of this present crisis
of Christ totally abandoned in so many of our helpless brothers and sisters-in the womb, in hospitals
& nursing homes, etc- I believe we must strive more and more to enter into the "sacrament of the present
moments"; For no better reason that that we can only love in the present moment.
When speaking with people who are already sensitive to this crisis, I believe we must emphasize the
primacy of Adoration- not just a certain amount of time we give to being with Our Lord in the Eucharist,
but to awaken to the reality of His Constant Presence, this desire of the Father, the Father who "seeks
adorers in spirit and in truth", to give Himself to us so that we may give ourselveds fully to Him, in the
present moment. This calls for a radical abandonment into His loving arms-to lead us wherever He pleases.
"It is not the Father's will that even one of these should perish, and I pray that many others would come
forward to stand in the gap" where the law no longer "serves and protects". But would it be any less of a
sign of hope to hear of even a few- even one- who would love a mother enough- someone they know- to
walk that far with her in love & truth, just for her & her baby?
What comes to mind are Mother Teresa's words: "I don't see crowds. I only see one Person-Jesus- and
since there in only one Jesus, I can only see Him, one person at a time". Mother Teresa heard & received
Jesus' cry of Thirst-a cry which was first heard only by those who remained with Jesus long enough to
stand with Him at the Cross. But Mother T insisted that His cry of Thirst is for each one of us, personally-
the works published post-humously make this very clear also.
Reading Jen's letter about Miriam and the "no feeling" policy, how literally this Thirst of Christ is present among the elderly & disabled today. We need to stand by our elderly brothers and sisters, as you did for
Miriam. I hope that many others would join you in "adopting" those who can no longer care for themselves.
I will pray for the Karlen family.
Come, O Holy Spirit.. renew the face of the earth!
Peace,
Mary
(transcribed by jld)
____________________________________________________
Letter from Mary Wagner to Will Goodman 5-19-10 St Crispin
(Some names have been changed to protect privacy.)
+
Greetings Will!
I hope this fines you well. I can't tell you what a wonderful surprise and joy it was
to see you yesterday! Seeing Amy's & your shining faces brought me much joy,
peace, and encouragement. Thank you for taking the time to make the long
journey once again.
Thanks for all your news and greetings from our friends from all over. Please return
the greetings and my heartfelt thanks for the long-distance union in prayer.
I'm so glad you came up for the March for Life & had a chance to encourage
my fellow Canadians. Did you "get a feel" for the prolife climate up here?
Please tell me what you found, honestly. Were there many young people?
Did you cross paths with Fr. Tom Lynch or Rosemary C?
(his sister-a good friend of Linda. She had wanted to meet you.) What was the
theme this year (if any)? Did Cardinal Ouellette speak?
Some of my family went to the March in Victoria BC's capital City. They were
expecting a larger crowd than in the past, and the bishop of Victoria, Richard Gagnon,
was to say the Mass prior to the March.
Will, my sister mentioned that an old friend for life had contacted her when he heard about
Linda & I in prison. Joseph and his wife Mary (and their kids), are evangelicals
who have been doing full time pro-life work in central/eastern Canada for many years. I've been
thinking lately that it would be very good for them to meet you. They both have artistic backgrounds
and are into modern media - Joseph's a talented musician. They are also sensitive to the reality of the
many birth controls that cause abortion.
Are you in touch with Anne? I'm praying for the young mom & her baby whom Anne
is helping. Does Anne sidewalk counsel regulary still? I'm sure she found it encouraging to meet
you and to learn about the SOLG. Do you know if anyone in the Toronto area does outreach
at abortifacient sites?
I mentioned to you and Amy that almost every woman I've spoken to about the reason I am
here has told me she is post abortive. What strikes me in their readiness to admit that abortion
is wrong, (most say that), and that they regret it. Sometimes there is an attempt to justify it,
but most often, eventually there is the acknowledgment of the truth. Please pray for Y
and A, two mothers who aborted their children. Y had twins or triplets- around the
time I came in. The justification was the fear the children would be handicapped because of
their drug abuse. The logic goes that they would be more "at ease" knowing their were dead than
possibly living with a disability. I do believe that underneath it all lies a deep wound. where the
mothers, not knowing their own dignity, are incapable of upholding their child's. Ask them to
wait until the child is in school and see if the disability is bad enough they should be put to death,
and how many would say they think that is ok? They haven't seen their child, haven't been attracted
by the beauty and vulnerability of their little ones, so they can shut down - and doesn't the rest
of the population follow suit? Your words come back to me, describing the attempt to stand in
the gap for the little ones: you described it as "reasonable", "necessary", "right and realistic".
As Father O'Hara said, an act "common decency demands...an act of hope." I appreciate the
good, accurate use of language here. The act itself is healthful, normal on the human level, let
alone for the Christian. We must insist on this. Perhaps living out the results of standing in the
gap demands a lot of strength - certainly in the case of Dr. Biscet, and for repeated interventions
also. But every Christian is promised the help of the Holy Spirit, and we are assured that
"God will not be outdone in generosity". - I know I wrote something to this effect in a previous
letter, but I feel the need to come back to this point.
It is very good you are in touch with Pat. He needs the encouragement of other believers and lovers
of life. His letters to me have been a great encouragement. In his last letter, he included an excerpt from
Caryl House-Landers book, Wood of the Cradle, Wood of the Cross. Here is the some of the excerpt:
"It is seldom, when much is asked for, that human nature fails to respond. Rather, it is when too little
(as we think) is asked of us...that we fail when the offering seems too slight or fragmentary, when
it seems absurd in the face of eternal love that consecrates it and the immensity of the human suffering
that needs it. ...Christ has forestalled all that. The offering to be changed into His Flesh
is the most fragile water of unleavened bread, light as the petal of a rose: flexible, colorless, only barely
a substance at all. It is made out of tiny separate grains. It is this that Christ chooses for His supreme
miracle of love...."
Pat was commenting on the fact that institutionalized "little adorers", losing ourselves in
HIS LOVE & TRUTH so that He will dwell in us, work in us, Love in us & shine His light through us.
It is true that wea re not certain of loving even another day to give ourselves completely to Our Loving
Father- so he only waits for us to let Him in right now. Isn't this the little way?
I keep you very much in my prayers, and all the work He's doing in you & with you.
God bless you & keep you!
Your sister in Christ,
Mary
PS Greetings to Jen! : )(transcribed by jld)
_____________________________________________________
Letter #2 from Mary Wagner, pro-life prisoner of conscience.
+
Dear friends and prayerful intercessors,
Here is a copy of an email I just received from Mary's
Mother. Please pray for Mary. Her court date is
scheduled for July 7th. The charge she has been
given has been downgraded to "mischief". [!!] This is
considered in Canada as a light or petty offence.
Thanks! +wg.
==========
May 24th, 2010
"Greetings loved ones! I hope this little letter finds you well and brings a little cheer to you.
This afternoon I had a lovely surprise visit from Mr & Mrs S, P's parents.
We had a great visit....and they were able to see that I'm ok, and they both giggled when
I told them that the main reason we watch the news is because the women here like to see
who is getting arrested. I had forgotten this funny fact! Mrs S is going to send me some
prayer cards I can share with the women.
Today was hot! We got out for fresh air about 10am and it was well into the 20s. The baby birds
in the nests in the courtyard were chirping away, and we could hear the animated cries/cheers
of the childrens' baseball game somewhere beyond the brick walls.
We were locked in most of yesterday (I like to have days of silence like that), and I wrote
some letters and had a longer time of prayer and lectio divina. In the evening we were out
for a little while, and several of us gathered and read the Mass readings for the Solemnity
of Pentecost. We had a good talk and prayed together a little. It was very loud with the
weekend population and the TV blaring, but it was something, and we had a little snacking
on jujubes I'd ordered from the canteen just for Pentecost:)
Throughout the Easter Season I've been reading a lot of the Acts of the Apostles...they are so
interesting and encouraging. I wonder how many years St. Paul spent in prison. In Chapter 20,
vs 23, St. Paul says to the elders at Ephesus "...In every city the Holy Spirit has warned me
that prison awaits me." He's a great friend to have, especially while in prison! :) Something
helpful to recall is that, no matter where we are, The Holy Spirit will always be there with us,
and we can reach Him anytime....
Father Nathan sent me a lovely letter and a text of Fr. Philippe for translation, as I'd asked him.
It has been *wonderful reading Fr. Philippe's words again and I am just working on editing the
translation. I've been working on a piece the past few days called: "L'action de graces du Pere".
I'm wondering whether to translate the title directly,"The Thanksgiving of the Father", or according
to a style preference: "The Father gives Thanks". The text is about 10 pages, including references,
and it is fairly straightforward. I'm not sure where it will be published-usually short texts are chosen
for the brothers' "letter to our friends", copies of which you have seen.
Yesterday three brothers I know (and 5 or 6 that I don't), made perpetual vows in Ars, France.
You had forwarded me a letter and invitation that one of the brothers sent to me at your address.
(dear Br. Marie-Geraud). It brought me a lot of joy thinking of them making their call permanent.
I got to know Br Marie Geraud when I was in St. Jodard and we were the mechanics for the
brothers and sisters there. His blood brother, Br Marie Baptiste, also made vows yesterday,
as did Br John James, whom Cory met when he went to Princeville. He is the guest master there.....
Mom, I look forward to the long letter you mentioned sending:) It should come this week.
I hope to hear from more of you guys. I think of you often and remain very much united to you
all in prayer and in spirit. I pray that God would enlighten your paths in Love and Truth and
fill you with an increasing desire for the most important success: close friendship with
God---holiness, as He has planned for each of us, in His own way, as fits each one in
his/her unrepeatable ability. :)
God Bless and keep you.
All my love and prayers,
Mary
(transcribed by jld)
____________________________________________________
Letter from Mary Wagner to Will Goodman 5-31-10 Feast of the Visitation
(Some names have been changed to protect privacy.)
Greetings, Will!
I hope this finds you well. I'm suspecting within a few days of sending this I'll receive a letter from you,
but hello again anyways!
Did I mention I'd met with Deacon Thomas, and he hopes to bring me the Blessed Sacrament June 9th?!
The local assistant pastor Fr Paul, is awaiting clearance to come- it may take months but at least then
he'll be free to come; Deo gratias!
My Mom sent a letter after Sally's confirmation-on the eve of Pentecost. The bishop
(Bishop Richard Gagnon, whom you met in Nanchmo) confirmed them, and after Mass, all the kids took
their turns to pose with him for a picture. Instead of going to pose, she took the opportunity to plead on my
behalf for the sacraments! : ) My Mom told the story well- I just wanted to let you know how sweet that
was. Mom wrote, " "the gift of fortitude went straight to her tongue"! : ) May she keep it up in the midst of
this widespread cultural timidity where in there is a tendency to mistake cowardice for meekness.
John B sent me some LifeSite articles re: the March & the hate speech in the Quebeccois media
(Patrick Legace) directed at Cardinal Ouellet, who defended in love the truth of the child's right to be
protected from murder when she is following rape. I'm waiting for addresses so I can write the Cardinal and the journalist. He actually said, if the quote was accurate, that he hoped the Cardinal dies a slow and
agonizing death! May God have mercy!
(Linda will have had the trial by the time you read this) If you can believe it, Crown Council it not "ready" to procede. Trial postponed for ? months. I wanted to send her a word of encouragement, but the communication with other inmates within the prison who are off the range is not allowed, even if I mail her
a letter.
One of Canada's maintstream, national papers, "The National Post" will feature a story on Linda- religion
columnist. He recently did a story on the Sisters of Life.
Can you fill me in on how you are and on any news? Is Lila Rose's expose of PP in the mainstream news?
Fr. Marianus has been so good at writing & with the spiritual support. Fr O'Hara sent a long letter
that arrived a few days after you & Amy visited. Fr Nathan sent a beautiful letter and one of Father
Philippe's texts "The Thanksgiving of The Father", related to Mary, the incarnation & the Eucharist.
You'd love it. I'm well supported by my brothers- be they in a community or lay apostolate or other...
and this to me is a great consolation.
Hope to hear from you soon!God bless you Will,MaryPs. Please send my greetings to Jen! : )(transcribed by jld)
Letter from Mary Wagner to Will Goodman 6-13-10 Immaculate Heart of Mary
(Some names have been changed to protect privacy.)
Dear Will,
Just a few words to send along with a letter to Jen. I hope this finds you well. I hpe you received
the letter I wrote you after you & Amy came to see me. Jen mentioned you're probably writing me.
How are things?
Last Wednesday the Deacon came by again, and it was "restful" to see him. He said he hopes to
bring me Holy Communion June 23...but that was our hope for the last visit, and the one before; the day of
my trial would be (after the 23rd) the next possible time he could come, (the prison sets his visiting hours),
so it is quite likely the next time I'll be able to receive Our Lord will be shortly after my release. God's will be
done. The good news is that Fr. Paul, once cleared, should be able to minister to the other Catholics here,
and eventually find a time slot. Deacon Thomas was telling me there used to be a religious sister who came here,
until her health declined and she was no longer able to come. No one filled her shoes, and the Catholics
"lost our place" in the cycle of religious visitors/volunteers. Deacon Joe is beginning to initiate things once again,
Deo gratias!
Friday evening Mrs T came to see me, a good friend fo the S family, who I came to know last summer/fall through the
B's. (The S's are from Toronto & have lived many years in NJ, with their growing family)
Mrs. T and her husband have ten children, 13-33, and are members of Opus Dei. She wants to come to the trial and help me with practical matters upon my release. Her offer is yet another sign of God's providential care and the solicitude of Our Blessed Mother. I'll likely spend the night with them before flying back to the coast to meet my newest niece &
nephew, (evening July 8) see more of the family, and take some much needed time with Our Lord. There's a convent of
Poor Clares on Vancouver Island and they have a little hermitage for guests, to whom they give a key for the chapel...
(I'm dreaming of these hoped-for days of silence, alone with God)
P's parents live in the Toronto area, they visited a few weeks ago & told me I'll always be welcome to stay with them,
which is so kind and yet another blessing. I guess I'm taking Mrs T up on her offer b/c she asked about specifics & will
likely be there on the 7th.
I can't recall if I wrote you already about Linda's supposed trial June 2 & 3rd? It had been postponed yet again because
the crown needed more time- I don't know many of the details. There was a great surprise when she returned from court
& was placed in the same range as I am. We visited over breakfast, and she was then told to change ranges.... it was
unusual, and I figure there was simply too much joy in one place for how things normally are in here; somebody decided
they'd better move her. Linda has touched so many of the women here with her warmth and kindness. She was again moved later that day to a range one is sent to usually as a punishment. Don't know what possible reason. They could
have given Linda, but wherever she is, she undoubtedly brings within her the light of Christ.
My parents told me your friend Fred is praying for me. Please thank him on my behalf. I am also praying for him.
Mr. H came by last week and inter-viewed Linda & me. It was good to see Mr. H again. I told him about Dr Oscar
Biscet (when he came just to visit the week before the interview), and when he came again, he said he'd looked it up.
Mr H is making a documentary as well, and has spent the past several years interviewing & writing. Did you have a chance to connect with him? I really pray that he and his wife could talk with you.
This afternoon, (Sunday now), my lawyer came by, and I'm happy with her. It was the first time I met her. I'm pretty sure she's
prolife, which is a big help, obviously, even if to the judge this may seem irrelevant-I mean the whole context of the so-called "offence".
The chaplain dropped off the New American Bible (Catholic), and I am thrilled....
"Now since the children share in blood and flesh, he likewise shared in them that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who through fear of death had been subjected to slavery all their life".
(Heb, 2:14,15)
This passage, esp. the parts I've underlined, really struck me when I was reading Hebrews over the Triduum. To me, the stuggle is really there: allowing the attraction of Christ to become stronger than this fear that always keeps one in some respect enslaved.
["I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full". Do you remember this from Denver, WYD?]
I'll get this in the mail. Please do write again soon and pass on my greetings to Fr. O'Hara. Thank you for sending the accompanying letter to P-I don't know where to write him.
God bless you!
Mary
Mary Wagner is being held in a Toronto Prison still. Her new trial may not be until Sept. 21! The prosecutor is trying to accuse Mary of being in violation of a... See More "bubble zone" injunction. After the trial on July 7th, Mary would not sign a bond agreement to stay away from the abortion mill where she was unjustly arrested. She is now in a medium (instead of high) security block. God bless her! Thanks be to God she was able to receive Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament last Wednesday on the feast of the First Holy Martyrs of Rome. +Plz continue your prayerful solidarity. wg.
UPDATE ON MARY: 7-25-10
Mary Wagner's trial has been moved up to this Wednesday because the judge apparently took some pity on her situation. Please pray that she will be released and be able to go home to see her family this week! Thanks for all your prayer! +GBU, wg.
Mary Wagner's trial has been moved up to this Wednesday because the judge apparently took some pity on her situation. Please pray that she will be released and be able to go home to see her family this week! Thanks for all your prayer! +GBU, wg.
MARY IS ACQUITTED!!
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/jul/10072809.html
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/jul/10072809.html
MARY WAGNER RELEASED TODAY!!
Thanks be to God Mary was released today on her own recognizance. The terms of being released were that she agree to keep the peace and practice good behavior.
She was trying to keep the peace for the children in the womb and was on her best behavior by trying to protect them and their mothers.
UPDATE FROM MARY'S MOTHER 12-4-10:
Hi Jen, Mary will be in court on Monday, Dec. 6th, to set a trial date. This is what I have heard from folks in Ontario (since we are not able to speak to Mary directly). I know she is in maximum security so there will be no creature comforts. Please encourage your friends and supporters to send her mail, especially over the Christmas period. She can't receive anything but letters, although a Christmas card might get through.
(SCROLL DOWN FOR ADDRESS TO SEND MARY A LETTER)
LIFESITENEWS ARTICLE ON EVENTS OF 11-22-10
BY JOHN BULSZA WHO WAS THERE WITH MARY:
Young Canadian pro-lifer arrested outside Toronto abortion facility
MARY'S PEACEFUL ACT OF SOLIDARITY 11-22-2010
Today Mary planned a peaceful act of solidarity with the babies in danger of abortion. With 12 bouquets of roses and literature Mary entered the abortion center 3 times. The 1st time she was given a warning, the 2nd time a very firm warning and the 3rd time she was arrested and is at the precinct awaiting information on her trial. Mary was able to give all the roses out to the Mother's and 77 pieces of literature and there was also turn away!! Praise God. Please keep Mary in your prayers.
To send a letter to Mary:
Mary Wagner
c/o Vanier Centre for Women
665 Martin St.
Milton Ontario
L9T 5E6
(FROM JOHN:) "The office stated that no gifts are permitted. The only gift the institution gives is a double bonus of money being able to be spent during the week of Christmas. I believe that means the prisoners' weekly ration of $60 to spend per week is not doubled for the week of Christmas. That may not necessarily apply for stamp. I understood that inmates can sent out as much as they want as long as they have the stamps to do so! However things seem to change in the facility depending on how mean the guards can get and how lacking in will and assertiveness the deputy of operations is with his underlings. Pictures (photographs) have gotten through, as long as they are not political or "pro-life". When you send material be sure to state what you are including in your letter and how many pages (or sheets) [page 1 and 2 of a double sided she is = one sheet. "
Thanks be to God Mary was released today on her own recognizance. The terms of being released were that she agree to keep the peace and practice good behavior.
She was trying to keep the peace for the children in the womb and was on her best behavior by trying to protect them and their mothers.
UPDATE FROM MARY'S MOTHER 12-4-10:
Hi Jen, Mary will be in court on Monday, Dec. 6th, to set a trial date. This is what I have heard from folks in Ontario (since we are not able to speak to Mary directly). I know she is in maximum security so there will be no creature comforts. Please encourage your friends and supporters to send her mail, especially over the Christmas period. She can't receive anything but letters, although a Christmas card might get through.
(SCROLL DOWN FOR ADDRESS TO SEND MARY A LETTER)
LIFESITENEWS ARTICLE ON EVENTS OF 11-22-10
BY JOHN BULSZA WHO WAS THERE WITH MARY:
Young Canadian pro-lifer arrested outside Toronto abortion facility
MARY'S PEACEFUL ACT OF SOLIDARITY 11-22-2010
Today Mary planned a peaceful act of solidarity with the babies in danger of abortion. With 12 bouquets of roses and literature Mary entered the abortion center 3 times. The 1st time she was given a warning, the 2nd time a very firm warning and the 3rd time she was arrested and is at the precinct awaiting information on her trial. Mary was able to give all the roses out to the Mother's and 77 pieces of literature and there was also turn away!! Praise God. Please keep Mary in your prayers.
To send a letter to Mary:
Mary Wagner
c/o Vanier Centre for Women
665 Martin St.
Milton Ontario
L9T 5E6
(FROM JOHN:) "The office stated that no gifts are permitted. The only gift the institution gives is a double bonus of money being able to be spent during the week of Christmas. I believe that means the prisoners' weekly ration of $60 to spend per week is not doubled for the week of Christmas. That may not necessarily apply for stamp. I understood that inmates can sent out as much as they want as long as they have the stamps to do so! However things seem to change in the facility depending on how mean the guards can get and how lacking in will and assertiveness the deputy of operations is with his underlings. Pictures (photographs) have gotten through, as long as they are not political or "pro-life". When you send material be sure to state what you are including in your letter and how many pages (or sheets) [page 1 and 2 of a double sided she is = one sheet. "
"Abortion kills twice. It kills the body of the baby and it kills the conscience of the mother. Abortion is profoundly anti-women. Three quarters of its victims are women: Half the babies and all the mothers."
~ Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta ~
~ Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta ~
MARY WAGNER RESCUED AGAIN SEE LINK BELOW AND EMAIL FROM FATHER O'HARA.
Toronto pro-lifer arrested, reporter’s camera seized
Toronto pro-lifer arrested, reporter’s camera seized
Christmas Greeting to you good pro-lifers,
I write as a friend of Mary Wagner and using the email list of Will Goodman, with his permission.
Mary Wagner continues her effort to witness to the love that God has for all His children, born and unborn. She is helping to keep us honest, when it is so easy to compromise.
LifeSite has an article on her latest effort in Toronto: http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/toronto-pro-lifer-arrested-reporters-camera-seized Below is a response I made to this article in the blog, and also an account by eye witness, Alissa Golob, head of Campaign Life Coalition.
Please join me in surrounding Mary with prayers for her in this work of God's loving mercy, breaking into the darkness of a killing center.
SURPRISE: As I was writing this, Mary Wagner called in freedom! -- a special Christmas blessing to her from the court system in Canada. She asks that we do keep in our prayers Linda Gibbons who will be in jail this Christmas, having served time there for almost two years due to her prolife work. She mentions also Dr. Oscar Biscet, from Cuba, who has served 14 years of a twenty five year sentence for speaking out against abortion in his hospital in Cuba. Mary is keeping in prayer all of the mothers and fathers that she met in this last effort, as well as the employees at Bloor West Woman’s Clinic.
Let us surround these people with our support and prayers, Fr Joseph O'Hara
My comment posted in the blog:
Mary Wagner is a dear friend. I drove from Wisconsin to be with her at Toronto as she reached out to the moms in another effort in May 2010. Then too, it landed her in jail.
Mary is responding to a holy desire to manifest in the wilderness of an abortion center the undisputable love that Jesus has for the unborn child, and the love and strength that He likewise has for their dear, though wrong minded parents who are there to abort their child.
She is making a humble witness. It is a witness that is generous, and maybe heroic, but it is also quite ordinary. A disciple of Christ desires, with the Blessed Virgin, to “Magnify the Lord”, to “Proclaim the Lord”. A disciple desires to proclaim Our Lord’s merciful love in the darkest of wildernesses. Currently that place is the abortion mill, where there are many law-sanctioned killings of innocent children. Mary Wagner is simply following the call that all Christ’s disciples have to manifest Jesus’ mercy in a place of such darkness and death.
To illustrate the ordinariness of Mary’s effort, I ask you to simply consider if you would reach out do as Mary did if the child in question was a three year old or a teenager. Would threats from civic authorities hold you back? Would you be satisfied to simply pray and fast for them, knowing that they were going to be brutally killed in your neighborhood? Would it matter if civil law sanctioned the killing center at which these innocent children were about to be brutally killed?
Mary’s effort is the ordinary call of all Christians and people of good will. When it is against the civil law to make a loving outreach to parents who plan on killing their child, jails should filled to capacity! They would be, if the children attacked were just a little older.
Fr. Joseph O’Hara, Diocese of LaCrosse, WI
This was sent to Frank Wagner, Mary’s father, by the young woman who accompanied Mary this morning.
She gives a good account of this morning's proceedings(Thur, Dec 23, 2010):
At 11:30am this morning I witnessed Mary Wagner, a modern-day pro-life heroine, be carted away once again in a paddy wagon for trying to save unborn children from the hands of their killers. As I was driving Mary to the Bloor West Village Women’s Clinic in Toronto, I watched as she carefully wrapped little crystal angel ornaments in red tissue paper to give as presents to the women in the waiting room, along with small cards that read, “when you take off the wrapping, you will see a little gift…when you give birth to your child, you will see a priceless treasure.” We arrived at the abortuary at 8:30am, and because of the strict security - Mary told me she was forced to wait in the hallway until a woman was buzzed inside, allowing her access. She told me how she handed out all her presents to each woman in the waiting room, and was able to talk to several of them, encouraging them to keep their babies and to choose life. She even handed out an Our Lady of Guadalupe medal to a young Hispanic couple who was at first overly aggressive towards her, but seemed to be instantly subdued as they accepted the miraculous medal, becoming more engaged and accepting s she spoke about the gift of life. When the police came the first time, the leader of the pack called his superior and was advised to let Mary off with a warning, which he did. He advised her that if she went into the abortuary again- she would be arrested. I stressed to the cop that he had freedom of conscience- and that he did not need to arrest Mary if it went against his intrinsic moral values. At first he answered me saying he was only trying to “do his job” and then became increasingly more agitated as he pondered those words, telling me to “get in the other room”- to which I complied. There I was able to speak to those who were witnessing the ongoing events, and was able to explain what Mary was doing and why she was doing it. One young man, after listening for a while in the lobby, even told me he was going to go in an tell his friend she had another choice.
When the cops finally released Mary, we waited in a coffee shop nearby to warm up before we went back- for what we knew would be the final time. I waited outside and sidewalk counseled, while Mary again entered the building. She told me that she had an obligation to go back and try and engage the other women, since they had witnessed what had taken place. After half an hour, three cop cars pulled up front and within a matter of minutes they were dragging Mary out the front doors. As I was video-taping the events happening before me with my digital camera, one cop stormed over to me and, without saying a word, grabbed the camera out of my hands and proceeded to delete all my videos. I asked him if video taping was illegal in Canada, to which I received no response. I then asked him why he was deleting all my videos. Again I received silence. Becoming intensely infuriated I demanded to know what his badge number was, to which he replied by storming away without acknowledging my existence, other than to hand me back my empty camera.
As I watched the cop car pull away, with Mary’s angelic face looking back at me through the glass, I couldn’t help but think how symbolic this event really was. Just as our Mother Mary said “yes” in answering His call to give birth to our Lord, Mary Wagner also said “yes” to His command to uphold and affirm the culture of life.
Throughout history people have suffered and been denied certain human rights. Today, although menial in comparison to abortion, I was denied the right to video tape these events. I believe this was done to pave the way for us to find greater means to proclaim Mary’s message and the message of life. All injustice does is provide people with other incentives to do His will. The devil thought that by killing Jesus, he would kill Christianity, but what ultimately occurred was the resurrection and our ultimate salvation. I believe that by the cops denying me the right to record these events, they were not only implicitly admitting their guilt, but also gave us the means to achieve a great victory- one better than we could ever imagine. We were there to advocating for life; ultimately- exercising a freedom the cops didn’t have. The police force has been corrupted by abortion- since these men and women who are supposed to uphold of the peace, are now required to enforce an unjust law. If they do not do this- they do not get a pay cheque. I have a freedom to speak the truth- a freedom that they don’t have- and it is beyond any material value. Those policemen have been deprived of their dignity by being ordered to go and protect a place where they are ripping children apart. We held the truth and authority and all they had was fear and intimidation tactics. What they have isn’t worth the powder to blow it up.
Mary Wagner is in custody once again, for attempting to save the lives of many unborn children scheduled for termination two days before the birth of our savior. I again write about Mary so that her story can be shared across the nation- to inspire people to engage in this battle for life. Mary surrendered herself to God this Christmas by answering His call to save His precious children. There is no doubt in my mind that she has given our nation under God, the greatest Christmas gift any of us will ever receive.
FROM WILL GOODMAN:
Please pray for Mary Wagner. She went back to a Toronto abortuary today to bring Roses to the mothers and love to their babies. The card with the flowers read: "You were made to love and to be loved... your goodness is greater than the difficulties of your situation. Circumstances in life change. A new life, however tiny, brings the promise of unrepeatable joy."
By God's grace, at least one couple turned away! As far as we know, Mary is in jail tonight in Canada. But she is most of all people-- free. She is a light in the darkness. Her peaceful intervention is truly fitting on the feast of St. Jerome Emiliani, a patron saint of abandoned orphans. :-)
Will Goodman/jld
Please pray for Mary Wagner. She went back to a Toronto abortuary today to bring Roses to the mothers and love to their babies. The card with the flowers read: "You were made to love and to be loved... your goodness is greater than the difficulties of your situation. Circumstances in life change. A new life, however tiny, brings the promise of unrepeatable joy."
By God's grace, at least one couple turned away! As far as we know, Mary is in jail tonight in Canada. But she is most of all people-- free. She is a light in the darkness. Her peaceful intervention is truly fitting on the feast of St. Jerome Emiliani, a patron saint of abandoned orphans. :-)
Will Goodman/jld
Before
Card attached to roses given to each woman
Mary praying before going into the abortion mill
Mary putting flowers together
Mary putting roses with baby breath & card
Holy Innocents
Pray for us.
Pray for us.
Mary's next is scheduled for two more hearing February 17th & 18.
Click on the link below to the Lifesitenews article for more information
Baby possibly saved as Toronto pro-lifer arrested again
Click on the link below to the Lifesitenews article for more information
Baby possibly saved as Toronto pro-lifer arrested again
Mary's trial is Monday, March 28th at 10am EDT (9am central time). Please pray for her. A pro-abortion group is planning to attend to protest Mary's efforts and hand out information about pro-choice issues. See the email the sent out below:(It is a little upsetting)
Monday, March 28 · 9:00am - 1:00pm
Location
College Park Court House
444 Yonge St, 2nd Flr
Toronto, ON
Created By
Chanty Morris, Amy Jones
More Info
Alright ladies and gents, listen up.
Mary Wagner is an anti-choicer. She's being charged with harassing patients/escorts/doctors etc at abortion clinics and trying to get into the clinics themselves.
Her trial is happening during the "40 Days of Life" where there is bound to be some anti-choice protesters there to support her.
We need to show them who's boss. We need to speak up. We need to show them they're not taking our right...s away.
Yes, I know it's a bit last minute, much like the last one. If you can manage to come out, that would be amazing. Please invite everyone you know.
The trial starts at 10am, but we might need to show up a bit early to get seats. A pro-choice presence at the trial is meant to accomplish two things: to provide support for the clinic staff who will be testifying against Ms. Wagner, and to give the message both inside the court room or outside on the street that we won't put up with anti-choice harrassment of women at clinics. We can also hand out leaflets and info about pro-choice issues and how they relate to a possible upcoming election.
Monday, March 28 · 9:00am - 1:00pm
Location
College Park Court House
444 Yonge St, 2nd Flr
Toronto, ON
Created By
Chanty Morris, Amy Jones
More Info
Alright ladies and gents, listen up.
Mary Wagner is an anti-choicer. She's being charged with harassing patients/escorts/doctors etc at abortion clinics and trying to get into the clinics themselves.
Her trial is happening during the "40 Days of Life" where there is bound to be some anti-choice protesters there to support her.
We need to show them who's boss. We need to speak up. We need to show them they're not taking our right...s away.
Yes, I know it's a bit last minute, much like the last one. If you can manage to come out, that would be amazing. Please invite everyone you know.
The trial starts at 10am, but we might need to show up a bit early to get seats. A pro-choice presence at the trial is meant to accomplish two things: to provide support for the clinic staff who will be testifying against Ms. Wagner, and to give the message both inside the court room or outside on the street that we won't put up with anti-choice harrassment of women at clinics. We can also hand out leaflets and info about pro-choice issues and how they relate to a possible upcoming election.
Great News!! Mary was acquitted of charges and was released on Sunday, October 9th!!!
See the link to the Lifesitenews article below for more information.
Please keep Mary in prayer!!
Charges against arrested pro-lifer dropped – witnesses no-show
Hello friends, I received a letter from Mary today. Here are some excerpts:
"You may have read on Lifesitenews that I was given 40 days of trial last week. My sentence will
begin only once the recent charge is dealt with (Oct. 5th).
"Please pray I would receive the Most Blessed Sarament. Deacon Joe came yesterday but was unable to bring Our Lord. He hopes to try again in two weeks."
Make sure you keep Mary in prayer on Oct 5th. God bless, Jen
See the link below to the results on Mary's hearing on Monday the 13th. Thank you to Mary's Mom to letting us know about this article on Lifesitenews.
Pro-life heroine sentenced to jail for peacefully witnessing to life at Toronto facility
Hi Friends, I received an email from Mary's Mom and she said she spoke to Mary on Saturday.
Mary has a pre-trial hearing this Friday at College Park Court but this is just a formality.
She has a trial on September 12 for previous charges at a different court. (name unknown)
On October 5th will be her trial for her current charges.
Mary is hoping to get some letters. Please take the time to write her if you can. Here is the information:
To send a letter to Mary:
Mary Wagner
c/o Vanier Centre for Women
665 Martin St.
Milton Ontario
L9T 5E6
1) Do not use stickers (e.g., address, return address, pro-life, religious, etc.) on the envelope or card.
2) Do not send anything that is laminated (e.g., cards, bookmarks, prayer cards, pro-life literature,
photos, etc.). Non-laminated items are approved.
3) Do not ask direct questions about her daily activity at the detention center.
4) Put your address directly on the card or letter. (Sometimes the mail sorter keeps the envelope
and I'm sure Mary would enjoy writing you back.)
5) If you wish to send money to Mary (for stamps, envelopes, etc.)
please only send a money order made out to "Mary Wagner."
6) Any Christian or pro-life articles would be appreciated, but the jail will not accept
any pictures of aborted children.
I heard from Mary's Mom that she has to go back to court on Monday, Aug 22.
Here are parts of Mrs Wagner's email to me:
"Hi Jen,
I spoke with Mary yesterday. She sounded very tired but at peace. She is at Vanier again, but needs to go back to court on Monday. Not sure what that is all about, but we'll know in due course, I suppose. Mary said that her encounters in the abortion facility were not overtly fruitful. She commented on the depth of the darkness that she felt while in there. One woman teared up, but had already made her decision and was not going to change her mind..."
Please pray for the woman Mary reached out to and also for Mary's family.
Please pray for things to go well for Mary in court on Monday.
MARY WAS ARRESTED TODAY FOR PEACEFUL WITNESS AT THE TORONTO ABORTION CENTER. CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Toronto woman arrested for offering pro-life counsel in abortion waiting room
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Protectress of the Unborn, Pray for Us!
Charges dropped against arrested pro-lifer
Mary had a trial on Friday, May 6th and for her November 22nd charge for mischief and all charges were dismissed!!!
Thanks be to God!!
MARY'S BEAUTIFUL STATEMENT AT HER TRIAL
by The Editors Litesitenews.com
Mon Mar 28, 2011 17:48 EST
Your Honour, I stand before you accused of mischief. The Crown has presented the case against me, having argued to the effect that I did interfere with the enjoyment or operation of a lawful “business”. Were I to try to defend myself by arguing that I did not interfere, I would be neglecting the dignity of the little ones and their mothers, who are at the heart of the matter. What is the “business” in question? Women’s reproductive health exists almost exclusively for the purpose of destroying children in their mothers’ wombs; under the guise of serving women, helpless babies are killed there, and their mothers are left wounded. Canada has abdicated responsibility for the general welfare of its people by denying personhood status to the youngest and most vulnerable among us. As Mother Teresa said to world leaders gathered in Washington D.C in 1993, “the greatest destroyer of love and peace is abortion” and “let us bring the child back to the center of our care and concern. Your Honour, I have attempted to reach out to women who are considering abortion as a solution to the difficult circumstances in which they find themselves. My presence was peaceful, and stems from an acknowledgment of the fact that a new human life exists from the moment of conception. I also hold the firm belief that each life is sacred, as a belief shared by those of various faith convictions, as well as by those who do not necessarily believe in a Higher Being. History shows us over and over how at various times certain members of the human family have been treated as non-persons. Each era has their reasons for attempting to justify discrimination in law, such as denying personhood status to women, Jews, blacks and native peoples, only to be acknowledged as unjustified by future generations. While the chill of injustice may exist in the laws of a country, it need not cool the hearts of those of us who believe in upholding the inherent dignity of all our brothers and sisters, especially the mother who is tempted to seek abortion as a solution to her difficulties.
Lifesitenews article:
‘I stand before you accused of mischief’: Arrested pro-lifer speaks out in court
Oh Holy God, our Rock and our Fortress, you used the womb of Mary to be a tabernacle for the dwelling of the Incarnation, where the Holy Son of God was to be nurtured and protected. You created the womb of woman that the miracle of human life might be nurtured and protected. Many women have been deceived to believe that their womb is not a place of holy protection for a human life, but that it is simply another appendage of their body. Renew and restore your purpose and will concerning the womb of all women throughout the earth, that you may be glorified; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
See the link to the Lifesitenews article below for more information.
Please keep Mary in prayer!!
Charges against arrested pro-lifer dropped – witnesses no-show
Hello friends, I received a letter from Mary today. Here are some excerpts:
"You may have read on Lifesitenews that I was given 40 days of trial last week. My sentence will
begin only once the recent charge is dealt with (Oct. 5th).
"Please pray I would receive the Most Blessed Sarament. Deacon Joe came yesterday but was unable to bring Our Lord. He hopes to try again in two weeks."
Make sure you keep Mary in prayer on Oct 5th. God bless, Jen
See the link below to the results on Mary's hearing on Monday the 13th. Thank you to Mary's Mom to letting us know about this article on Lifesitenews.
Pro-life heroine sentenced to jail for peacefully witnessing to life at Toronto facility
Hi Friends, I received an email from Mary's Mom and she said she spoke to Mary on Saturday.
Mary has a pre-trial hearing this Friday at College Park Court but this is just a formality.
She has a trial on September 12 for previous charges at a different court. (name unknown)
On October 5th will be her trial for her current charges.
Mary is hoping to get some letters. Please take the time to write her if you can. Here is the information:
To send a letter to Mary:
Mary Wagner
c/o Vanier Centre for Women
665 Martin St.
Milton Ontario
L9T 5E6
1) Do not use stickers (e.g., address, return address, pro-life, religious, etc.) on the envelope or card.
2) Do not send anything that is laminated (e.g., cards, bookmarks, prayer cards, pro-life literature,
photos, etc.). Non-laminated items are approved.
3) Do not ask direct questions about her daily activity at the detention center.
4) Put your address directly on the card or letter. (Sometimes the mail sorter keeps the envelope
and I'm sure Mary would enjoy writing you back.)
5) If you wish to send money to Mary (for stamps, envelopes, etc.)
please only send a money order made out to "Mary Wagner."
6) Any Christian or pro-life articles would be appreciated, but the jail will not accept
any pictures of aborted children.
I heard from Mary's Mom that she has to go back to court on Monday, Aug 22.
Here are parts of Mrs Wagner's email to me:
"Hi Jen,
I spoke with Mary yesterday. She sounded very tired but at peace. She is at Vanier again, but needs to go back to court on Monday. Not sure what that is all about, but we'll know in due course, I suppose. Mary said that her encounters in the abortion facility were not overtly fruitful. She commented on the depth of the darkness that she felt while in there. One woman teared up, but had already made her decision and was not going to change her mind..."
Please pray for the woman Mary reached out to and also for Mary's family.
Please pray for things to go well for Mary in court on Monday.
MARY WAS ARRESTED TODAY FOR PEACEFUL WITNESS AT THE TORONTO ABORTION CENTER. CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Toronto woman arrested for offering pro-life counsel in abortion waiting room
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Protectress of the Unborn, Pray for Us!
Charges dropped against arrested pro-lifer
Mary had a trial on Friday, May 6th and for her November 22nd charge for mischief and all charges were dismissed!!!
Thanks be to God!!
MARY'S BEAUTIFUL STATEMENT AT HER TRIAL
by The Editors Litesitenews.com
Mon Mar 28, 2011 17:48 EST
Your Honour, I stand before you accused of mischief. The Crown has presented the case against me, having argued to the effect that I did interfere with the enjoyment or operation of a lawful “business”. Were I to try to defend myself by arguing that I did not interfere, I would be neglecting the dignity of the little ones and their mothers, who are at the heart of the matter. What is the “business” in question? Women’s reproductive health exists almost exclusively for the purpose of destroying children in their mothers’ wombs; under the guise of serving women, helpless babies are killed there, and their mothers are left wounded. Canada has abdicated responsibility for the general welfare of its people by denying personhood status to the youngest and most vulnerable among us. As Mother Teresa said to world leaders gathered in Washington D.C in 1993, “the greatest destroyer of love and peace is abortion” and “let us bring the child back to the center of our care and concern. Your Honour, I have attempted to reach out to women who are considering abortion as a solution to the difficult circumstances in which they find themselves. My presence was peaceful, and stems from an acknowledgment of the fact that a new human life exists from the moment of conception. I also hold the firm belief that each life is sacred, as a belief shared by those of various faith convictions, as well as by those who do not necessarily believe in a Higher Being. History shows us over and over how at various times certain members of the human family have been treated as non-persons. Each era has their reasons for attempting to justify discrimination in law, such as denying personhood status to women, Jews, blacks and native peoples, only to be acknowledged as unjustified by future generations. While the chill of injustice may exist in the laws of a country, it need not cool the hearts of those of us who believe in upholding the inherent dignity of all our brothers and sisters, especially the mother who is tempted to seek abortion as a solution to her difficulties.
Lifesitenews article:
‘I stand before you accused of mischief’: Arrested pro-lifer speaks out in court
Oh Holy God, our Rock and our Fortress, you used the womb of Mary to be a tabernacle for the dwelling of the Incarnation, where the Holy Son of God was to be nurtured and protected. You created the womb of woman that the miracle of human life might be nurtured and protected. Many women have been deceived to believe that their womb is not a place of holy protection for a human life, but that it is simply another appendage of their body. Renew and restore your purpose and will concerning the womb of all women throughout the earth, that you may be glorified; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
CURRENT NEWS
Mary Wagner arrested while Linda Gibbons prays for her outside abortion center
Video footage included in the article
Video footage included in the article
A copy of the email from Mary's Mom (with her permission)
(FYI: Mary is going to trial again next Monday I heard from her Mom today)
Dear family and friends of Mary,
Once again Mary was arrested for counselling at an abortion clinic this morning. She called from Toronto city jail to say that she would appear at College Park court tomorrow morning to face charges. She asks for prayers for a couple she spent considerable time counselling, hoping that they change their minds about the abortion they were there for.
I have been expecting that Mary would be physically attacked at some point, but nothing quite prepared us for it. Mary admitted to her Dad that she was punched in the face by an irate mother who was bringing her daughter for an abortion. It is doubly disconcerting when the victim of assault is someone as gentle and vulnerable as Mary, who we all love. She says she is okay and not to worry. (There were no charges laid for the assault on Mary). I guess the violence shouldn't surprise us, considering that murder is sanctioned at that location, and that there would be no consequences for violence done to those who protest the taking of innocent human life. But Mary's focus was and is on the babies whose lives are in jeopardy. Please keep her in your prayers, or as she would put it: "please pray for an end to abortion"
God bless...
Jane
(FYI: Mary is going to trial again next Monday I heard from her Mom today)
Dear family and friends of Mary,
Once again Mary was arrested for counselling at an abortion clinic this morning. She called from Toronto city jail to say that she would appear at College Park court tomorrow morning to face charges. She asks for prayers for a couple she spent considerable time counselling, hoping that they change their minds about the abortion they were there for.
I have been expecting that Mary would be physically attacked at some point, but nothing quite prepared us for it. Mary admitted to her Dad that she was punched in the face by an irate mother who was bringing her daughter for an abortion. It is doubly disconcerting when the victim of assault is someone as gentle and vulnerable as Mary, who we all love. She says she is okay and not to worry. (There were no charges laid for the assault on Mary). I guess the violence shouldn't surprise us, considering that murder is sanctioned at that location, and that there would be no consequences for violence done to those who protest the taking of innocent human life. But Mary's focus was and is on the babies whose lives are in jeopardy. Please keep her in your prayers, or as she would put it: "please pray for an end to abortion"
God bless...
Jane
Crown finally provides disclosure in Wagner case
HI EVERYONE, I RECEIVED THIS FROM MARY WAGNER'S MOM:
Please remember Mary when you send out your cards and greetings this year. She will be in Vanier over Christmas, and love and good wishes from family and friends will help to make this time away from us brighter for her.
thanks! Vanier Centre for Women 665 Martin St Milton ON L9T 5E6
Please scroll down to see what you are allowed to send.
HI EVERYONE, I RECEIVED THIS FROM MARY WAGNER'S MOM:
Please remember Mary when you send out your cards and greetings this year. She will be in Vanier over Christmas, and love and good wishes from family and friends will help to make this time away from us brighter for her.
thanks! Vanier Centre for Women 665 Martin St Milton ON L9T 5E6
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Mary Wagner released from prison today! Thanks for all your prayers!
From her mother: Some very good news today: Mary was released from prison after 90 days of incarceration. She has served the time that the crown requested and has been released without conditions. I spoke with her briefly from the CL office in Toronto, and she sounds well. She reminded me that it is the Feast of the Presentation today, and that I should thank our Blessed Mother for her release. She is very excited about getting to Mass today!
From her mother: Some very good news today: Mary was released from prison after 90 days of incarceration. She has served the time that the crown requested and has been released without conditions. I spoke with her briefly from the CL office in Toronto, and she sounds well. She reminded me that it is the Feast of the Presentation today, and that I should thank our Blessed Mother for her release. She is very excited about getting to Mass today!
Article of Mary Wagner
(Note: Mary has not been jailed again for defending the pre-born. This is an article that was written about her.)
Mary Wagner: Canadian Pro-Life Hero Jailed for Opposing Abortion
I had the pleasure of talking to Mary briefly online and then she left me a voice message on Friday. She is doing well. God bless, Jen
(Note: Mary has not been jailed again for defending the pre-born. This is an article that was written about her.)
Mary Wagner: Canadian Pro-Life Hero Jailed for Opposing Abortion
I had the pleasure of talking to Mary briefly online and then she left me a voice message on Friday. She is doing well. God bless, Jen
IMPORTANT UPDATE ON MARY FROM HER MOM:
Just to let you know that Mary is back in prison in Ontario. She served 90 days for her 'crime', which is what the crown asked for at the time of her arrest, and was released before her trial date, which was Feb. 28th. At her trial a friend, Dr. Philip Ney, spoke to the duty to inform in the circumstance of abortion but the judge was not interested. He set today for Mary to return for a verdict, which she did. The judge was angry and when he asked Mary if she intended to continue to visit abortion clinics as she has been doing, she answered truthfully that she would. He then sentenced her to a further 3 months in prison.
She called me to let me know of her incarceration and to say that she was completely at peace and not to worry.
keep her in your love and prayers and write to her if you can.
God bless,
Jane
Here is the address to send mail to Mary:
Mary Wagner: Vanier Centre for Women 665 Martin St Milton ON L9T 5E6
Mailing Instructions:
For those wishing to send her a letter please observe the following rules, and note that the detention staff reads all material that is sent:
1) Do not use stickers (e.g., address, return address, pro-life, religious, etc.) on the envelope or card.
2) Do not send anything that is laminated (e.g., cards, bookmarks, prayer cards, pro-life literature, photos, etc.). Non-laminated items are approved.
3) Do not ask direct questions about her daily activity at the detention center. 4) Put your address directly on the card or letter. (Sometimes the mail sorter keeps the envelope and I'm sure Mary would enjoy writing you back.)
5) If you wish to send money to Mary (for stamps, envelopes, etc.) please only send a money order made out to "Mary Wagner."
6) Any Christian or pro-life articles would be appreciated, but the jail will not accept any pictures of aborted children.
Just to let you know that Mary is back in prison in Ontario. She served 90 days for her 'crime', which is what the crown asked for at the time of her arrest, and was released before her trial date, which was Feb. 28th. At her trial a friend, Dr. Philip Ney, spoke to the duty to inform in the circumstance of abortion but the judge was not interested. He set today for Mary to return for a verdict, which she did. The judge was angry and when he asked Mary if she intended to continue to visit abortion clinics as she has been doing, she answered truthfully that she would. He then sentenced her to a further 3 months in prison.
She called me to let me know of her incarceration and to say that she was completely at peace and not to worry.
keep her in your love and prayers and write to her if you can.
God bless,
Jane
Here is the address to send mail to Mary:
Mary Wagner: Vanier Centre for Women 665 Martin St Milton ON L9T 5E6
Mailing Instructions:
For those wishing to send her a letter please observe the following rules, and note that the detention staff reads all material that is sent:
1) Do not use stickers (e.g., address, return address, pro-life, religious, etc.) on the envelope or card.
2) Do not send anything that is laminated (e.g., cards, bookmarks, prayer cards, pro-life literature, photos, etc.). Non-laminated items are approved.
3) Do not ask direct questions about her daily activity at the detention center. 4) Put your address directly on the card or letter. (Sometimes the mail sorter keeps the envelope and I'm sure Mary would enjoy writing you back.)
5) If you wish to send money to Mary (for stamps, envelopes, etc.) please only send a money order made out to "Mary Wagner."
6) Any Christian or pro-life articles would be appreciated, but the jail will not accept any pictures of aborted children.
After judge tells arrested pro-life activist ‘your God’s wrong,’ lawyers file appeal
Please send Mary a letter. See instructions and address below
Please send Mary a letter. See instructions and address below
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