http://blog.holyheroes.com/wow-science-now-shedding-light-assumption/ Wow: Science is now shedding light on the Assumption! August 14, 2016 The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven on August 15th has given me an opportunity to reflect on the wonderful intellectual integrity of the Catholic faith. For me, it is one of the most interesting aspects of being Catholic: I receive great consolation knowing that there is nothing that the Catholic faith has not explained or can explain if I look for the answers. I have often marveled at the wisdom of the teachings of the Church on all issues, but in recent history its ability to anticipate the findings of SCIENCE on every moral issue has been astonishing, even to devout Catholics like myself. I expect the Church’s teachings to be true, but I am awed when I see reflections of these truths in often very surprising places. For example, in my lifetime the moral playing field shifted drastically, yet the Church foresaw the results of the sexual revolution before it even really got started. The exploding divorce rate, rise of cohabitation (among people of all ages), the institutionalization of abortion as a necessity for modern living, the objectification of women in so many ways (eg modern advertising and TV), and the widespread acceptance of pornography were all part of the Church’s warnings. Now, with the continual advances in science and the continued use of science to degrade the human person with “gender changes,” IVF, surrogate motherhood, and the like, it is comforting to know that I can understand these issues through Church teachings. While I am so grateful that I am part of the Church and gratefully know that whatever the future brings, the Church will also have answers for any moral confusion, it is hard to be joyful for being “right” when society is suffering so much. But recently when thinking about the Assumption of Mary into Heaven, I realized there is something so wonderful that science has shown us that ties into the Assumption of Mary — something I can be truly joyful about! In the past, medical doctors thought that the placenta was a one-way buffer that prevented anything from the baby in the womb from crossing into the mother, that only cells from the mother would cross into the baby to help him grow and develop. Then, in the 19th century, they discovered that an unborn baby’s cells stay in the mother’s body after birth. But new research is providing an even deeper understanding of this unique connection. Scientists have found that cells from the fetus in the womb cross the placenta to actually enter into the mother’s body and that they become a permanent part of her body! What a sweet thought that my children are still a part of me! But–even more amazing: the article reported that “when a woman has a baby, she gets not just a son or daughter, [but] an army of protective cells – gifts from her children that will stay inside her and defend her for the rest of her life.” (My emphasis in italics.) Doctors have found the cells of babies actually rebuilding and healing the cells of their mothers–not just while the baby is in the womb, but they found these cells remain in the mother to serve her body even after the baby is born! Just read this: “The cells of an unborn child will stay in the mother for decades… essentially forever,” said a researcher from Thomas Jefferson University. “There’s a lot of evidence now starting to come out that these cells may actually be repairing tissue.” Wow! Here’s the article to read for yourself. Think what this means: Our Lord left part of Himself with His mother–in order to protect her! So the Blessed Virgin Mary’s body was not only composed of her own cells, but also due to her carrying Him in her womb, thereafter her body always contained the cells of Her Son — who was God! Our Lord protected His mother’s soul from every taint of sin, and He also acted to protect her body, as well. Both with His Divine Power…as well as with the power He created in nature for every mother to benefit from! The Bible says that God would not allow His Holy One, His Son to suffer corruption–so He ascended into Heaven instead of decomposing in the grave (see Psalm 16:10 and Acts 2:31). Wouldn’t this apply to ALL OF HIS SON, every last All-Holy and All-Divine cell? Even those parts of Him that were–actually, physically–still on earth…in the body of His Blessed Mother? Yet another reason for her glorious Assumption into Heaven as a fitting gift for bearing the Savior of the world in her womb! From every perspective, it is a joyful thought! Science is now discovering so much that only confirms what the Church has already taught us by Faith: that the mother of Our Lord, who contained all her life in her body what the Second Person of the Trinity had come down from Heaven to assume–a fully human body united with God Himself! — would out of justice and God’s mercy be taken up into Heaven, too, without suffering the decay of death. While this is not a theological explanation, it is sweet when we get a scientific perspective to aid our meditations and the pondering in our hearts about what we already know from the Church. Astonishing on the one hand, but not unexpected! May God bless you and all your little ones, who have left already left their “mark” on you!
Wonderful post BrianK! Isn't our Catholic faith amazing?! I just read this to my daughter who will have her baby any day now! Lovely to know this - I carry the cells of all 6 of my children within me.. I should remain pretty healthy!
You have no idea how happy this post makes me feel! To think that I may be carrying cells from my 3 miscarried babies, brings me such joy! A thousand thank you's for posting this BrianK!!!
http://www.lifenews.com/2016/01/18/...unborn-babys-cells-go-to-moms-brain-and-body/ Fascinating Discovery Shows Unborn Baby’s Cells Go to Mom’s Brain and Body The relationship in pregnancy between a mother and her unborn child is a unique connection, unlike anything else. New scientific research continues to reveal how this special bond has lasting physical effects long after birth. In the 19th century, scientists first discovered that an unborn baby’s cells stay in the mother’s body after birth; but new research is providing an even deeper understanding of this unique connection. World Magazine reports that scientists are examining how the baby’s cells can travel through the placenta, into the mother’s bloodstream and then to her brain, liver and other organs. The report continues: In September 2012, the journal PLOS ONE published a study in which [University of Washington researcher J. Lee] Nelson and her team examined the brains of 59 deceased older women who had given birth to sons. They found male Y chromosomes left behind by the baby boys in 63 percent of the maternal brains. It appears these cells are often a beneficial gift from baby. Fetal cells can make collagen, which facilitates wound healing, and they may reduce the mother’s risk of rheumatoid arthritis. They may also help protect the mother from cancer, V.K. Gadi, an oncologist at Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, told USA Today. The exchange of cells is a two-way relationship: The mother’s cells also cross the placenta into the baby, including those cells she carries from previous pregnancies and from her own mother. That means we may all be carrying bits of our older siblings and grandmothers within us, Amy Boddy, a postdoctoral fellow at Arizona State University, told NPR. Initially researchers blamed rogue fetal cells for maternal health risks such as pre-eclampsia, a dangerous pregnancy complication, and autoimmune diseases. But Nelson believes the benefits outweigh potential problems: “It’s actually a beautiful cooperation.” Other studies provide scientific evidence for how a mother and unborn child develop bonding in the womb. As LifeNews reported in 2011, there is increasing evidence that “when a woman has a baby, she gets not just a son or daughter, [but] an army of protective cells – gifts from her children that will stay inside her and defend her for the rest of her life.” Keep up with the latest pro-life news and information on Twitter. Researchers at Tufts University found dozens of a baby’s cells in just a teaspoon of a pregnant woman’s blood. “The cells of an unborn child will stay in the mother for decades… essentially forever,” said a researcher from Thomas Jefferson University. “There’s a lot of evidence now starting to come out that these cells may actually be repairing tissue.” A study involving a Boston woman with hepatitis (and a history of five pregnancies) found hundreds of fetal cells at work “repairing” her liver.
We have scientific evidence of Our Lord's blood co-mingling with that of Our Lady. I have long thought that this is the ultimate argument for Protestant rants against Our Lady. I usually provide it in the form of a question and leave them to consider how (in their words) "a sinful woman" could give birth to God in the flesh. Thanks Brian, a great link to bookmark.
Thank you Brian, My daughter Erin Therese died on Christmas day 1987 aged one month, one week and one day. The grief that ensued was so intence, I would write about the grief in a type of diary and then in 1989 I wrote the book 'Cot death. A mothers experience'. The book was published in 1990. In the 1980s there was very little information or help for those that lost a child and even less information on cot death. How amazing that science has found out something I knew inside my heart! Truly amazing! Below is a paragraph from Chapter Four. The Love a mother has for a dead child still remains and as for me I will know and love Erin intimately to the day I die. I've known Erin all my life. I was conceived with her, born with her, I grew up with her, she is a part of me, my twin, my otherself. I've known her intimately, tenderly; I've known her as no one else has known her. She is my friend, my love. She has in her short life injected the essence of her being into me and it has fused into my cells, becoming one, never to be erased. How do you strip yourself of someone like that.
The book is only 58 pages long. I have often thought that maybe I could type it up here on the MoG site and post it, if anyone believes it could be of help to someone.
Again........ Thank you to both Brian and gracia, I will take these 'likes' as a yes, to typing up the life of my little Erin. I will start a new thread for this. Oh most Holy and Humble Virgin Mary, Mother of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and Dearest Just and Humble St Joseph protector of the the Word made Flesh [the Divine Son of God] and protector of the Most Holy Virgin [Our Lords most Beloved Mother], be with us poor creatures, as we try to explain the Mightiness and Extreme love, that God holds for even the weakest and most wretched of all sinners. Amen.
My son Ethan died at one month, one week and 2 days. He was very sick his whole life, though, so it was not as much of a shock. It is comforting to know part of him is still with me, even now.
I had miscarriages and my daughter had a stillborn baby. One never forgets. I'm sure your book could be helpful. At least nowadays miscarried and stillborn babies are recognised and their brief existence acknowledged. Looking forward to reading your book.
Thank you everyone! I have been assailed with attacks ever since I decided to place the story of Erin here on the MoG site. My computer has said that my IP addrees was blacklisted by the site and so I have been unable to even get to the site until now. My Husbands car broke down this morning and now one of our two new sheep has dissappeared in the one hour after my husband goes to work and I get home from work? I think its all a good sign. Although its very frustrating and even writting this on my computer the first time, my computer made it dissappear, so I have had to rewrite it again. So I'm going to send it now and hopefully be able to continue the book tomorrow. God bless
