Bishop Morlino consecrates cemetery for the unborn

Tonight, 300 people joined Bishop Morlino in a unique celebration of life and also of loss. The Miracle of Life Rosary Garden, constructed on the grounds of St. Mary of Pine Bluff (3673 County Road P, Cross Plains) was consecrated May 24 as a sacred place to bury babies lost before birth. The Knights of Columbus Honor Guard led the procession, followed by the altar boys, then the Knights of Divine Mercy, with Bishop Morlino in the rear. In the photo, left, you can see Bishop Morlino proceeding past the KC Honor Guard.

Fr. Rick Heilman -- pastor of St. Mary's, founder of the Knights of Divine Mercy, a wonderful pro-life priest and a great friend to Pro-Life Wisconsin -- led the crowd in the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary [photo, left].In Bishop Morlino's homily, he discussed the importance of chastity, especially in today's culture, and how IVF and contraception work against an appreciation of life. Bishop Morlino emphasized the importance of treating life as a miracle, and celebrating every day as a miracle. The dedication and consecration prayers were followed by a family potluck cookout. The cemetery is a place for people to bury babies lost before birth. 88 burial spots were created, and four babies are already buried there.

Photo, above left: The cemetery was created in the shape of a rosary. Photo, above right: One of the bricks surrounding the rosary garden states simply, “For all the babies only God has named.”

- Virginia