Below is the final piece of Pope Francis’ message to the participants of the WOOMB International Congress for the 70th anniversary of the Billings Ovulation Method® (BOM) on April 28 and 29 at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome.
“Finally, promoting knowledge of fertility and natural methods also has great pastoral value, since it helps couples to be more conscious of their marital vocation and to bear witness to the Gospel values of human sexuality.
The importance of this is seen in the large number of participants at this Congress, with people from many countries and every continent gathered in Rome or joining by video. The positive feedback that has emerged from your various experiences, often the fruit of your work in very difficult social and cultural settings, confirms the importance of your efforts to work with perseverance and commitment in this field, not least to promote the dignity of women and a culture marked by the acceptance of life. These, in fact, are values that we share with other religions.
Your work also contributed to a primary aspect of the Church’s ministry to families, as my Predecessors have taught and I too noted in Amoris Laetitia: “In this sense, the teaching of the Encyclical Humanae Vitae (cf. 10–14) and the Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio (cf. 14; 28–35) ought to be taken up anew” (No. 222).
The use of methods based on the natural rhythms of fertility should be encouraged, emphasizing the fact that they “respect the bodies of the spouses, encourage tenderness between them, and favour the education of an authentic freedom” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2370).
Dear friends, I offer you my best wishes for the fruitfulness of your work and I thank you for all that you do. Carry on with passion and generosity in your valuable service to the ecclesial community and to all those who seek to cultivate the human values of sexuality.
May we always keep in mind that God’s original blessing is reflected with particular splendour in this area of life (cf. Gen 1:26–30), and that we are called to honour him in this area as well, as Saint Paul exhorts us: “Therefore glorify God in your body” (1 Cor 6:20). I bless all of you from my heart and I ask you, please, to remember me in your prayers.”
Rome, Saint John Lateran, 24 April 2023
This concludes the Holy Father’s letter which has inspired us to promote and teach the Billings Ovulation Method®. Many have yet to learn about the benefits of practising this Method in their family life. Many women are yet to learn this detail about their bodies which instructs about their reproductive and even general health.
We are very grateful to WOOMB International for persevering in taking the BOM worldwide. WOOMB International has offered tremendous encouragement in the challenge of persuading individuals to use this natural means as opposed to the overwhelmingly available and seemingly convenient contraceptive options that has led to deleterious effects in the soul of our society (namely the stripping of the dignity of the human person, especially through abortion).
We are also grateful for the Archdiocese of Port of Spain, in teaching us that our bodies are indeed a sacrament, where the invisible becomes visible. We are made in God’s image and likeness and that our bodies reveal the very mystery of God, therefore what we do with our bodies is very important.
We invite mothers and guardians of girls nine years and older to make an appointment to teach your daughter about her developing body with your supervision and support.
Young adult women can take advantage of our free online consultations, where we can discuss monitoring the health of their bodies.
Married couples are also welcome to learn the Method for the purpose of achieving pregnancy or postponing it if there are serious reasons to avoid expanding your family size.
Unmarried couples are welcome to learn more about the Method as well.
BOMA-TT Tel/WhatsApp: 384-1659
Email: naturalfertility@catholictt.org
Website: www.billingstt.com