Another Way

Yesterday, I shared the story of Brittany Maynard, a 29-year-old woman facing a terminal cancer diagnosis.  Brittany plans to take a pill on November 1 that will kill her.  

Praise God, the voices that object to suicide are getting louder, praying that Brittany will change her mind.  Among those voices is Kara Tippetts.  Kara, a young wife and mother of four, is also facing a terminal cancer diagnosis.  

Kara Tippetts, Mundane Faithfulness

Kara embodies courage as she battles for her life, entering fully into whatever suffering may come, trusting that Christ can meet her in her suffering and bring blessing to herself and her family as she suffers well.  Please read Kara's letter to Brittany.  You will know that you are reading Truth.  


"Suffering is not the absence of goodness, it is not the absence of beauty, but perhaps it can be the place where true beauty can be known."

I pray that Kara's words can soften Brittany's heart and help her to consider another option.  Wouldn't it be amazing if Brittany accepted Kara's invitation to meet, talk heart to heart, and share one another's stories?  Please, God, open Brittany's heart to hearing Kara's beautiful message.    

Kara Tippetts is facing her battle with cancer with the same courage and faith of Blessed Chiara Luce Badano. Chiara is on her way to becoming the first "Generation X" Saint.  

Blessed Chiara Luce Badano, image from Life Teen

Chiara was diagnosed with an osteocarcoma as a 17-year-old.  She received the treatments and fought hard against the cancer.  She accepted the diagnosis with great courage and faith.  She said, "For you, Jesus...If you want it, I want it, too!"  As the cancer progressed, Chiara put her suffering to work.  Focolare.org recounts:

The more the illness progressed, the more the experience intensified for Chiara. At one point she refused morphine because “It takes away my lucidity” and “I can only offer my pain to Jesus. It’s all I have left.”

Finally, on 7 October 1990, her “departure”. One last smile for Ruggero and then a goodbye for Maria Teresa: “Mamma, be happy, because I’m happy!” There was a huge crowd at the funeral and, as she had requested, Chiara Luce was buried in a white dress, “like a bride going to Jesus”.

Shortly before dying, Chiara Luce exclaimed: “The youth are the future. I can no longer run, but I’d like to pass the Olympic torch on to them. The young people have only one life and it’s worth it to spend it well!” The 25,000 young people who attended her beatification ceremony in Rome on 25 September 2010, demonstrate that Chiara Luce Badano has given witness to a model of holiness that can be lived by everyone!

My friend, Emily, pointed out that the anniversary of Chiara's death was just two days ago on October 7.  Chiara's feast, October 29, is just a few days before Brittany Maynard's chosen date of death--November 1, All Saints Day.  Please join me in praying that Chiara Luce Badano and all of the saints in heaven can intercede for Brittany.  Pray that Brittany will hear the stories of heroic people like Kara Tippetts or Chiara Luce Badano.  Pray that hearing their stories will help her to face her own battle with renewed courage and strength.  God, please bless Kara, Chiara, and all those who have united their suffering to You abundantly in heaven.  May we all follow their example and start putting our suffering to work, uniting it to the cross on behalf of Brittany Maynard and all of the other souls contemplating suicide.   

Blessed Chiara Luce Badano, pray for us!  

St. Michael, the Archangel, defend Brittany in battle!  

Come, Holy Spirit!  Be with Brittany, now and at the hour of her death.  

Amen!