Life is very precious... from conception

Life is very precious. As stated editorially by one of Malta's most influential papers, life is a fundamental good, and respect towards its sanctity, in all its stages from conception, should be the distinguishing mark of Maltese society.

Today is Pro-Life Day. The Movement for the Rights, Protection and Development of the Unborn Child is commemorating this day with a special celebration near the Unborn Child Monument at Mosta, which was erected last year by the Gift of Life Foundation.

The unborn child has the right to protection from harm and threats to his safety and security in the womb. He has the right to be born. He also has the right to wholesome development in the womb, his first environment, his first world. Prenatal psychologists know very well that the very core of human personality is formed in the womb. Studies show that this personality formation takes place through intensive communication between parents, especially the mother, and the unborn.

Today it is generally known throughout the world that the unborn child is a deeply sensitive individual who forms a powerful relationship with his parents, and the outside world, while still in the womb.

The role of the father is also much more significant than is generally accepted. His support is essential to the mother's, and thus, to their child's well-being. What affects his sense of commitment to the marriage most deeply, is if and when he begins bonding with his child.

So by creating a warm emotionally enriching environment in utero the unborn child's mother and father make a decisive difference in everything their child feels, hopes, dreams, thinks, and accomplishes throughout life.

Profound parental and environmental influences occur during and immediately after birth. The newborn is known to respond best to gentleness, softness, and a caring touch. All this means that a mother's and father's ability to communicate a sense of love to their unborn baby, and to orchestrate a joyous, positive birth, contributes immensely to the emotional and physical health of their child for the rest of his life.

Today, Pro-Life Day, the Association of Local Councils, the College of Parish Priests and the Gift of Life Foundation, three organisations in the Movement for the Unborn Child, will lead the celebrations in Mosta. The special guests, and protagonists, of the occasion will be unborn children, their mothers, their fathers and their siblings.

At 10 a.m. Mass will be concelebrated at Mosta parish church, led by the president of the College of Parish Priests, with the participation of pregant women, their husbands and their children. A pregnant woman and her husband will dialogue with God the Creator on the special privilege granted to them by the Lord in giving life, with Him, to their child.

At 10.45 there will be a march from Mosta parish church to the Unborn Child Monument, through Main Street, with the participation of the Mosta Scouts and Guides, pupils of Mosta primary school, delegations from the two Mosta band clubs and members of the Mosta Church and civil society organisations.

At 11.30 a special celebration will be held near the monument to the Unborn Child at the roundabout between Mosta and Naxxar from Main Street, Mosta. About 200 pupils from the Mosta school will sing a song to the unborn child.

The mayor of Mosta and a pupil from the Mosta school will narrate a dialogue between God the Creator and the unborn child reflecting God's immense love for the unborn child. The unborn child acknowledges God's love for him and reciprocates his love to the Creator. There will also be a message from the parents of an unborn child.

The president of the Association of Local Councils, the president of the College of Parish Priests, and the president of the Gift of Life Foundation will deliver speeches.

All pregant women, their spouses and their children, are cordially invited to attend the Mass, the march and the celebration near the Unborn Child Monument. The general public is also invited to attend.

In case of bad weather the celebration at 11.30 will be held at the Karol Wojtyla Parish Hall, in Curate Calleja Street, Mosta, very close to the parish church.

Tony Mifsud is the co-ordinator of the Malta Movement for the Rights, Protection and Development of the Unborn Child.