This time of year, I reflect on my late friend Norma McCorvey, better known as the Jane Roe of Roe v. Wade. We have just had the anniversary of that tragic decision, and today is the first anniversary of her death. In the years I knew her, I learned a lot from her. But one thing that stands out above the rest was the very trait that was responsible for both making her the poster child of Roe v. Wade and, later, the hero of the pro-life movement: She had a fearless willingness to jump into things headfirst with no plan, not knowing what was on the other side.
This was evident when she once recounted to me how Gloria Allred, well-known pro-abortion activist lawyer, invited Norma to a big event. Norma showed up, clueless, practically tripping over the cameramen and reporters. She looked around and asked one journalist what all the fuss was about. He told Norma that Gloria Allred had put together the biggest news conference of the year. When Norma pressed the reporter for more, he told her that Allred had promised the unveiling of the woman who was Roe. Then he asked her, “Is that what you’re here for?” Norma’s answer? “Um … kinda.”
She didn’t know what she was getting herself into when, years earlier, she had signed on with attorney Sarah Weddington to the case that was to become Roe v. Wade. Often, Norma was led the wrong way. But thankfully, the same curious, impulsive temperament was also what eventually led her in the right direction.
It led to her encounter Rev. Flip Benham, who would eventually introduce her to Christ. She attended a church service where another pastor invited the congregation to come to the altar to “meet” Jesus. Norma told me she had been afraid to go up for the altar call. The idea was both scary and attractive to her. She had said to me, “Did I hear that I could meet Jesus? Right then? Would I have the nerve to get up from the pew?” So she decided to do it, but thought to herself, “If I muster the courage to get up, Jesus better be there!” And of course, he did not disappoint; those steps to the altar were just the first steps to the rest of Norma’s life as a pro-life warrior.
The first time I interviewed her for a radio show, I started by saying, “So you’re the Jane Roe of Roe v. Wade.” She responded, “No. I used to be Jane Roe. Now I am a new creation in Christ.” Norma went on to establish the ministry Roe No More. Later, she found a more appropriate name: Crossing Over Ministry. Her life was full of milestones where she crossed over from the comfortable to the unknown.
As she moved more deeply into the work to which God called her, Norma recounted to me a dream she had. In it, God had told her he would call her home soon. She worried it meant she was going to die and asked me what I thought it meant. I told her I didn’t know, but that she should ask the Lord to reveal it to her. And not too long after that, he did; she told me that God was calling her “home” to the Catholic Church. In 1998, I had the honor and pleasure of receiving her into the Church and giving her the sacrament of confirmation.
When God invited Norma more deeply into his will, Norma just went. When Christ calls us, the call is both scary and attractive. We never know what’s on the other side of that call. We are called out of comfort and into the unknown. He gives no map. He only promises one thing — that he will be with us.
Norma responded to that ongoing call during her life. That’s what I learned from Norma. When we are trembling with fear, where do we get the courage to leave what is familiar and surrender more deeply to God’s will? We do it like Norma did, moving from the conviction that, wherever he is calling us, love is waiting on the other side.
Fr. Frank Pavone is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog and national director of Priests for Life.
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