Healing the Culture: A Commonsense Philosophy of Happiness, Freedom and the Life Issue, by Robert J.Spitzer S.J. Ignatius Press  2002.

   This book has been called the most comprehensive philosophy of the pro-life movement in print today.  It is not easy reading, but it is important for it covers abortion and euthanasia. Devoting 278 pages to its main topic, the author finally gets to the meat of his book, namely abortion and euthanasia.
   Beginning with four levels of happiness common to human nature, Spitzer explains each one as follows:
   First level is immediate gratification whereby the person has obligations to no one except one's self. One has no desire for common or ultimate good, possesses no self-worth, fears losses and experiences frequent boredom.
   Second level is ego-centeredness whereby one aims to do better than the other person, the promotion of self is primary, personal power and control are key, fears failure, has contempt for others,  lives in isolation, and wants short term gratification.
   In the third level, the person does good beyond ones' self. Principles are justice, love, community, decisions made for the common good, gratification is long term.
   In the fourth level of happiness, one seeks the ultimate good, gives and receives freely, principles are truth, love, justice, and beauty. Gratification is eternal.
   In these explanations, Spitzer makes it clear that the notion of personhood holds the key not only to the concept of ourselves, but also to the future rights and the common good. Moving into abortion and euthanasia, the author makes it clear that persons in the first two levels of happiness, will not see the rights of the unborn and of the elderly/sick s worthy of respect; but those who have attained the third and fourth level, will see all humanity as lovable and deserving of life and respect. The first two groups will say, "I did it my way". Groups three and four will take the right path which leads to happiness and excellence. 

(Thanks to Sr. Irene Hartman OP for this review.)                                                             



St. Margaret of Cortona (1247-97): May 16

Margaret was born of farming parents in Laviano, Tuscany. Her mother died when Margaret was seven; life with her stepmother was so difficult that Margaret moved out. For nine years she lived with Arsenio, though they were not married, and she bore him a son. In those years, she had doubts about her situation. Somewhat like St. Augustine she prayed for purity--but not just yet.

One day she was waiting for Arsenio and was instead met by his dog. The animal led Margaret into the forest where she found Arsenio murdered. This crime shocked Margaret into a life of penance. She and her son returned to Laviano, where she was not well received by her stepmother. They then went to Cortona, where her son eventually became a friar.

In 1277, three years after her conversion, Margaret became a Franciscan tertiary. Under the direction of her confessor, who sometimes had to order her to moderate her self-denial, she pursued a life of prayer and penance at Cortona. There she established a hospital and founded a congregation of tertiary sisters. The poor and humble Margaret was, like Francis, devoted to the Eucharist and to the passion of Jesus. These devotions fueled her great charity and drew sinners to her for advice and inspiration. She was canonized in 1728.