Waiting for Eli: A Father's Journey from Fear to Faith
Father, Catholic Civics teacher, author, and active public speaker, Chad Judice chronicles his spiritual journey from fear to faith when his second son was diagnosed with spina - bifida in a sixteen week ultrasound.
What would you do if you knew your unborn child would be born with a serious birth defect? That's the question that was facing Chad and Ashley Judice when they began their walk in faith. When the doctor gave the Judices the diagnosis, she expressed her sincere sympathy, then proceeded to ask Ashley if she wanted to terminate the pregnancy. The medical literature on this birth defect indicates 80% of parents who are given this diagnosis do choose abortion. Ashley and Chad did not want to be in that number. Instead, they would pray for miracle.
Chad Judice has shared his family's inspiring story with audiences around the country. This story has captivated and converted a high school community, rekindled the faith of men and women who have lost it and prevented abortions. Speaking to men's conferences, audiences of high school youths and most recently a speaker at the 2013 March for Life, Chad has taught faith in the face of adversity can lead to something more beautiful than ever imagined.
"In Waiting for Eli, Chad Judice chronicles his spiritual journey from fear of one's personal limitation to self-abandonment to the divine mercy of God's providence. The story of his spiritual progression, as he prepares for the birth of his son Eli, functions as a profound testimony to the Gospel of Life and to the underlying truth that faith is perfected through trial and suffering.
The author takes the universal pro-life message of the sanctity of human life and uses it to illustrate how the life of one child can sanctify the lives of the community of believers who witness to the power of prayer."
---- Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Archibishop of Galveston-Houston, Chair of Committee for Pro-Life Activities, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops from 2009-2012
"The World judges the value of human life by physical perfection, but God sees things differently. To Him. we are perfectly loveable in our imperfection. Uplifiting in its reverance for human life in its most fragile stages, Waiting for Eli will encourage pro - life activist everywhere, from the most seasoned to the newly initiated."
---- Father Frank Pavone. National Director - Priest for Life & Missionaries for the Gospel of Life, President - National Pro - Life Religious Council & Pastoral Director - Rachel's Vineyard
References:
Director, Office of Respect for Life
Jennifer Ruggiero (Diocese of Metuchen, NJ)
Cheryl Calire (Diocese of Buffalo, NY)
