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

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

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

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

This booklet is a collection of ideas, reflections and suggestions for celebrating the feast. It includes books, songs, videos, prayers and more. The booklet can be ordered on-line via ALL or call the Family Resources Center at 309-637-1713. NOTE: The Family Resources Center also offers two other booklets described below including the popular Annunciation Church/School Program requested by various denominations:

“The Feast of the Annunciation Church/School Program: Jesus’ Journey In The Womb Teaches The Sanctity Of All Preborn Children”--by the Diocese of Peoria Respect Life Board. Churches of many denominations have used this program focused on Spiritual Adoption since its launch in 2006. To order the Annunciation Church/School Program booklet, or the companion Lenten Reflection (described below) on conception as the start of Christ’s earthly Passion, contact the Family Resources Center at 309-637-1713

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

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

[Click the link above and scroll down for more info on this pamphlet written by the former president of the premier U.S. pro-life organization National Right to Life Committee, reflects upon the pro-life implications of the nine month gestation of Christ within Mary and examines the issue of abortion from a Biblical perspective.]

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

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

3 1/2" X 9"

8 Pages

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

A Spanish language book addressing the prenatal life of Christ. Click this link to read (in Spanish) about the book -- scroll down to: "7. ANUNCIOS IMPORTANTES." -- "(3) Nuevo libro revela la intimidad maternal de María con su Hijo Jesús" -- the article addresses the topic as it relates to the Feast of the Annunciation/Incarnation. Another article on the book can be found here -- scroll down to "ARGENTINA: LOS NUEVE MESES DE JESÚS EN EL SANTUARIO DE MARÍA. Julia E. Gómez Caride de Mouriño." Copies can be purchased from Editorial Claretiana, Casa central : Lima 1360 - C1138ACD - Cap.Fed.(Buenos Aires), Tels: 4305-9597/4305-9510. Fax : 4305-6552.; e-mail editorial@editorialclaretiana.com.ar ; contact webform ; website http://www.editorialclaretiana.com.ar. For more information, contact the author at http://www.rioporlavida.net

Books for Children:

The Preborn Christ--A Story of God in the Womb. Written and Illustrated by Patrick A. O’Donnell, John D. McCarthy, and Susan Andrews Brindle. (Book includes both English and Spanish text, 64 pages.) Order from www.catholichomeschoolersbookshelf.com or www.omsoul.com.

Precious Life Ministries

PO Box 35166

Brighton, MA 02135

Prayer/Holy Cards, Art Prints & Posters

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

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

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

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

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

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

CatholicSupply.com carries one item--Framed Our Lady of the Millennium print -- Click here and scroll down to view image in catalog, or here, Item # 32883, $27.95 (8" x 10" framed print with Euro-filet gold mat liner)

Order by phone 314-644-0643 or online at https://www.catholicsupply.com/orders/default.aspx

An 11x14 framed print is available at http://www.spiritualcollections.com -- just go to the site and click the "Framed Art" icon near the top when the Our Lady of the Millennium image appears, or scroll down the home page and click "religious art" in the category list. The code for the item is JB3024.

The Lamp Book Shop offers several items with the image. Call 410-675-7023 or toll-free 800-371-0409 for their current offerings. Wall art ranges from an 8”x10” plaque for approx. $10.00, to a $55.00 16”x20” gold leaf wood frame with the print under glass, and an 8”x10” print framed to 13”x16” without glass for approx. $28.00.

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

The Gospel of Life Icon by Msgr. Anthony La Femina. (To view a color photo of the image, click the title, then scroll down in the new window scroll down to Gospel of Life Prayer Card).

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

This theologically rich icon (embossed with gold and silver highlights) has been produced in three formats:

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

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

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

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

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

c/o St. Martin de Porres Lay Dominican Community

3050 Gap Knob Rd. New Hope, Ky. 40052

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

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

Further Reading

Books for Children:

Prayer/Holy Cards, Art Prints & Posters