The precious feet pin has become the international symbol of the pro-life movement. A profound witness to the humanity of the unborn child the pin shows just how well developed the baby is at just 10 weeks after conception.
Inspired by an image she saw of tiny feet held between adults hands in a newspaper, Virginia Evers, founder of Heritage House, felt immediately that these feet should become the international pro-life symbol. She and her husband set to work and created the precious feet pin, now worn by pro-life people all around the world. So powerful is the message of this pin it has helped saved lives.
But who took the photograph and why? How did they obtain the tiny unborn child in the first place?
The photographer was Dr Russell Sacco. Watch the video to hear his incredible story.
Reflection
To celebrate the Gospel of life means to celebrate the God of life, the God who gives life: “We must celebrate Eternal Life, from which every other life proceeds. From this, in proportion to its capacities, every being which in any way participates in life, receives life. This Divine Life, which is above every other life, gives and preserves life. Every life and every living movement proceed from this Life which transcends all life and every principle of life. It is to this that souls owe their incorruptibility; and because of this all animals and plants live, which receive only the faintest glimmer of life. To men, beings made of spirit and matter, Life grants life. Even if we should abandon Life, because of its overflowing love for man, it converts us and calls us back to itself. Not only this: it promises to bring us, soul and body, to perfect life, to immortality. It is too little to say that this Life is alive: it is the Principle of life, the Cause and sole Wellspring of life. Every living thing must contemplate it and give it praise: it is Life which overflows with life”.109
Like the Psalmist, we too, in our daily prayer as individuals and as a community, praise and bless God our Father, who knitted us together in our mother’s womb, and saw and loved us while we were still without form (cf. Ps 139:13, 15-16). We exclaim with overwhelming joy: “I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made; wonderful are your works. You know me through and through” (Ps 139:14). Indeed, “despite its hardships, its hidden mysteries, its suffering and its inevitable frailty, this mortal life is a most beautiful thing, a marvel ever new and moving, an event worthy of being exalted in joy and glory”.110 Moreover, man and his life appear to us not only as one of the greatest marvels of creation: for God has granted to man a dignity which is near to divine (Ps 8:5-6). In every child which is born and in every person who lives or dies we see the image of God’s glory. We celebrate this glory in every human being, a sign of the living God, an icon of Jesus Christ.
St John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae #84
Action
Wear the Precious Feet Pin. This lapel pin is the exact size and shape of a 10 week old preborn baby and is a powerful witness to the humanity of the preborn child! You can purchase Precious Feet pins through Family Life Catholic Gifts. All proceeds from sales go toward helping abortion-vulnerable women through our Gianna’s Choice Pregnancy Options and support service.
Prayer
Jesus, open my eyes to your presence in the life of every child.
Open my heart to joy in the birth of every child, a birth that reflects the joy of your own birth in Bethlehem.
As you shared life in the womb of Mary, so now send your protection upon every child still in the womb,
and grant to their mothers the strength and joy that comes from welcoming the gift of life. Amen.
Fr Frank Pavone
