“Return of the Children is a beautiful story which follows the travels of forty million children who journey from Heaven to Earth on a mission of peace. Sent by God, they bring His gifts of love, mercy, forgiveness and healing to their mothers and fathers who had aborted them. Magnificent and emotional reunions bring joy and happiness to millions of families as a great wave of God’s love sweeps across America.”
“Your book Return of the Children is written in a way that touches the reader’s heart. I bless your initiative and hope it will spread widely.”
Alfonso Cardinal Lopez Trujillo
President Pontifical Council for the Family, Vatican City
“This book presents a profoundly pro-life message in story form, I pray that it may be read by millions and hearts may be changed.”
Bishop Joseph Strickland
Bishop of Tyler Texas
“Words cannot describe the emotions that I felt while reading your book. The power of forgiveness is an amazing gift from God. Any woman thinking of having an abortion should read this as well as any women who have had one.”
Michele R.
“BRAVO, That was a humble story that moved me!
I am not ashamed to say that I am a retired NYC cop that cried while reading the book. My brother Thomas Bosco picked up the book, and he began to read it and could not stop until he finished the book with a Kleenex. He received a bronze star in Desert Storm for bravery and you made him cry.”
Richard Bosco
“Enclosed please find a check for three more copies of your book, Return of the Children. Your book brought me to tears more than a few times.”
Cheryl
“I read your book within 2 days as soon as I received it. I couldn’t put it down. It is wonderful and very powerful. It has inspired me to try harder to simply bring compassion and God’s Love
to the women at PP.”
James H.
“I received your book yesterday. I read it today in one setting. I also cried through it all. I pray your book will reach those who are so much in need of forgiveness and peace. May God bless you abundantly for your gift of this book at a moment in history that cries out for redemption and Mercy.”
Patricia
“John Regan’s book, “Return of the Children” is an imaginary work of fiction but it clearly comes from the heart of a man of deep faith. The book’s basic premise underscores who God is and who we are as His children. In a beautiful and imaginative way it pulls the reader into a deeper reflection on what it means when we say that God is the Lord of Life. Many of us have lamented the “abortion” of our future when a child is murdered in the womb and John’s book makes that lament all the more real and tangible. This book presents a profoundly pro-life message in story form, I pray that it may be read by millions and hearts may be changed.
Bishop Joseph Strickland
Bishop of Tyler Texas
“I kept wondering and thinking about what it would be like if The Lord allowed all the children to return for real and what it would be like if my own aborted children were to return. What a wonderful reunion for me, but it would be very difficult for others. The Lord would definitely bring healing, and it would open people’s eyes to their future ‘choice’.”
Rebecca Porter
Florida State Leader
Operation Outcry
Stretching thousands of miles into the endless limits of
the starlit universe, a massive column of 40 million pilgrims came to a
gradual and disciplined halt. Their mission, divinely ordered and joyfully
accepted, was about to begin. Spontaneously, without word or gesture,
they knelt and, with one voice, prayed through their leader, Carrie Brown.
“Father, we have sadly seen the warm glow of Your eternal life slowly
fade as we approach earth. We know You are with us, but we can no
longer see or hear You. We miss You. We are sad. Still, we are ready to
begin the work You have ordained for us.”
Carrie, a tall and gracious young woman of Caribbean ancestry, had
received her soul from God in August 1972. However, she had lost her life
six months later, on Feb. 23, 1973. After a moment of silence, she stood up,
turned, and addressed her brothers and sisters.
“Behind me you can see the glow of earth. Beautiful blue oceans, rich
green fields and valleys. White clouds blow gently in the wind. This is
where we all were conceived. This is where we died. We never had the life
Father planned for us. Our purpose was never realized. But now, in His
mercy, we have returned. We will have very little memory of Father while
we are here. Before each decision, you must pray. He will enlighten you. As
humans, there will be times when you will become afraid. It will be a new
experience, like this sadness that has surprised us so. Not all of us will be
on earth at the same time. Those who remain here will be praying
constantly. Now be still as Father’s Holy Spirit fills you with knowledge for
the mission.”
Complete silence consumed the sea of human souls as they bowed
their heads in humble adoration. A familiar voice began to speak.
“My dear children, you are here. Here where you had your first
beginnings. It is here where my love created you and shared you with
others. They rejected you. I now bring you back again. Your mission is to
change their hearts. If you bring my love and mercy, you will be successful.
If you bring bitterness and anger, you will fail. My Spirit abides only in love.
Be love to those you seek.”
Silence continued over the sea of young adults and children. Still
kneeling with heads bowed, they appeared to be individually
communicating with their Creator in a singular and unique way. Many
toddlers were holding the hands of older children in a seeming need for
security on this lengthy journey. Those in their twenties appeared to be
monitoring the well-being of the younger teenagers, and many of the
teens were hovering close to the preschoolers. There was an obvious
sense of family emanating from their ranks. Gradually, one by one, they
rose to their feet and assembled in perfect order, two by two. Carrie
turned and faced the earth. Reflecting brilliant sunlight and turning at an
almost undetectable speed, it seemed to beckon the pilgrims to return
quickly. But as inviting as it was, discipline still ruled the divinely assembled
column and no one moved without a sign. At the head of the column
stood an impressive young man. He was slightly less than 6 feet tall and his
face beamed a holy but determined expression. Carrie approached and
asked, “Bill, are you ready to accompany your sister and return to your
mother and father?”
Bill turned toward his younger sister, Maria, who was 5 feet 3 inches
tall and weighed only half of Bill’s 180 pounds, and repeated the question.
“Are we ready, Sis?”
“I don’t know, Bill,” Maria answered in a faint whisper as she cleared a
tear from her eye. “I’m very anxious and I don’t know how to handle it. I
don’t remember having ever been anxious before and I have never cried
before.”
As Bill reached out to reassure and comfort Maria, he was surprised to
see his hand trembling.
Carrie stepped closer.
“Listen, both of you. Love for your mother and father will remove all
your fears. Become love and go in confidence.”
There was silence. Maria hesitated, trying unsuccessfully to speak,
while Bill struggled with anxiety and indecision. Awkward moments
passed. Carrie closed her eyes and prayed. Then quietly, as if suddenly
receiving strength and inspiration, Bill turned and hugged Maria, glanced
at earth, faced Carrie, and announced with a smile: “We’re ready.”
Carrie beamed with enthusiasm, took a deep breath, and stepped to
the edge of earth’s atmosphere. Stretching forth her hand, she pointed
toward the United States and said, “Your parents need you, my brother
and sister. Go courageously and bring them Father’s love.”
Suddenly, in a flash of light, Bill and Maria began to descend rapidly
into the upper layers of the atmosphere. The wind began to move
forcefully against them. In seconds, they were plummeting faster and
faster, until they raced across the face of the earth from west to east at
lightning speed. California rushed by as they descended through the cloud
cover, emerging high above the beautiful Midwestern Plains states.
Hundreds of meticulously plowed fields came into view as they rocketed
across the Mississippi Valley, heading northeast. Moments later, two miles
above the Chesapeake Bay, their forward speed began to slow. Maryland,
Delaware, and then New Jersey came into view as they descended even
further. In less than thirty seconds, they were crossing the Hudson River
and slowing to a complete stop five hundred feet above a major highway
in New York state. Wind-tossed and breathless, Maria
exclaimed, “Wow! That was some ride!”
“Tell me about it,” Bill responded. “It was awesome.”
Slowly they began to move in a northerly direction as the temperature
dropped rapidly.
“Bill, I think we’re becoming more human. I’m getting cold.”
“Me, too, Maria, but I’m not sure what to do about it.”
Without warning, they began to descend toward a large city. The
ground was coming up fast as they continued to move northward above
the six-lane highway. Suddenly, Maria yelled, “Look, Bill. We just passed a
sign that read,
‘Albany, next five exits.'”
Gradually their speed dropped as they
approached the tops of very tall oak trees. They moved away from the
highway and into the countryside, still moving northward. Finally, they
came to a complete standstill, hovering just above a school playground. In
moments they descended and gently touched the ground.
Bill immediately reached out and took Maria’s hand as they moved
closer to each other.
Anxiously scanning their surroundings, he whispered, “Wow, Sis, we’re
here.”
“I know,” she responded quickly. “But where is ‘here’?”
“I’m not sure, but the sign said ‘Albany,’ so we must be in or near
Albany, New York.”
Beginning to shiver, Maria complained again, “I’m getting colder.”
“Me, too, Sis; let’s try and find some coats,” Bill responded as he pulled
his blue wool sweater sleeves down around his hands.
Jumping the school fence, they began to walk in the direction of what
looked like a small shopping center.
“Look over there on the other side of the supermarket, Bill. I see a
clothing store.”
“I see it, too,” Bill answered, and together they bolted across the side
street. Bill walked in first and held the door for Maria. Immediately an
elderly man approached and asked, “No school today, kids?”
Surprised, Bill answered, “School? We don’t go to school. I’m 29 and
my sister is 27.”
“Gee,” the storekeeper responded, “I wouldn’t take you for over 16, 17
years old at the most. What’s your secret?
“Slightly embarrassed, Bill answered
“Well, we live a very healthy lifestyle.”
“True,” Maria added. “Plus, we follow the commandments of God, and
our consciences are clear, which keeps us in good physical and spiritual
health.”
“It also keeps us young,” Bill offered.
“Oh, uh, I see,” the shopkeeper replied in a somewhat confused
manner.
“Can you direct me to the coats?” Bill asked.
“Yes. Men’s overcoats will be on Aisle 5 and ladies’ on the other side of
the store in Aisle 14.”
Maria quickly found her size and donned a pale blue parka with a hood
and fur lining.
“How’s this, Bill?” she called as she turned to face her brother.
“I’m over here,” Bill shouted as he buttoned up a green windbreaker
with a fleece lining.
As Maria walked to Aisle 5, she passed a sale sign indicating end-ofseason discounts on all winter merchandise.
“Wow, Bill. Everything is on sale.”
“Yeah, I noticed,” Bill called back, “but I just realized we probably don’t
have any money.”
Maria quickly checked her pockets.
“Yes, we do. I have . . . let’s see, one hundred-dollar bill, plus three
twenties. I have $160.”
“Great,” Bill responded as Maria walked down
the aisle. “How much is your coat, Sis?”
“The tag says $79.99, but it’s on sale at half price. So that means its
$40.”
“Super. And mine is $90, but at half price . . . that’s just $45. So after
tax, we’ll still have about $70 left.”
“Yup, that’s right,” Maria agreed. Then she had a thought and said,
“Look in your pockets, Bill, and see if you have any money.”
“I already did and I don’t have any at all.”
“Find everything ok?” the store manager interrupted.
“Oh, yes, sir, thank you, sir,” Bill replied. “I’ll take this windbreaker and
my sister will take that parka.”
“Ok, young man. Please step over to the checkout,” the manager
instructed.
As he rang up the sale, the manager asked casually, “Just visiting?”
Surprised by the question, Bill hesitated.”Uh, well, yes, you might say
that we are visiting.”
“Might say’?” the manager asked.
“Bill means we are here on business but visiting at the same time,”
Maria interrupted.
“Exactly,” Bill agreed as he gave the change to Maria and headed for
the door.
Safely outside on the sidewalk, they donned their new coats and
zipped them up snugly as the temperature continued to fall.
“What time is it, Sis?”
“The clock on the corner says 1:30, Bill.”
“Well, we have an hour and a half before prayer, and I don’t have any
instructions for activity between now and then,” Bill noted. “Do you have
any, Sis?”
“Yes, and it appears we’re getting into the mission immediately. We
must go to Albany Women’s Clinic.”
Bill was about to ask Maria whether she had directions when she held
up her hand and bowed her head in silence. Moments later, she looked up
and said, “I have directions now. We go to the end of the shopping center
on Seneca Street and walk north eight blocks. Then we turn right on Tenth
Avenue and walk straight for half a mile. Albany Women’s Clinic will be on
the corner of Tenth Avenue and Capitol Boulevard. We need to hurry, as
we’re supposed to be there before 2 p.m.”
“Let’s go,” Bill replied. “That sounds like at least a 15-minute walk if we
don’t get any traffic lights, which we most likely will.”
Bill and Maria quickly walked the eight blocks and turned right onto
Tenth Avenue. Maria glanced at a newspaper box on the corner. The
headline read: “SPRING SNOW TONIGHT.”
“Bill, that newspaper says it’s going to snow tonight. Doesn’t that
mean the temperature will dip to at least 32 degrees?”
“Wow, it sure does,” Bill answered as he jumped from the street onto
a high curb. “We’ll have to look for lodging if it’s going to be that cold.”
“About another quarter of a mile and we should be there,” Maria
puffed as she tried to keep up with Bill’s pace.
As they passed a hardware store, the clock in the window read 1:50.
“I see a sign,” Bill called out. “It says Capitol Boulevard is one more
block.”
Moments later, a sign that said “Albany Women’s Clinic” came into
view above a building.
“There it is,” Maria cried excitedly.
Out of breath, brother and sister slowed to a casual pace and
cautiously approached the building. Until now, this had been nothing more
than an address they had been instructed to find. But as they came within
view of the front door, something unexpected happened. “Bill, wait,”
Maria said. “Don’t go any closer.” “Why?” Bill panted as he tried to catch
his breath.
“Something is wrong. I don’t know what, but I sense evil.”
“But Maria, we know that evil can’t harm us. Remember?”
“I know. But I think I mean the evil of fear.
And we were told that we could experience fear.”
“True,” Bill responded. “But what are you afraid of?”
Suddenly the front door opened and an elderly man walked out. He
appeared to be about 60 years old. Gray-haired and heavy-set, he walked
with a limp as he headed for a dark gray sedan near Bill. As he passed
Maria, he slowed and looked directly into her eyes, then Bill’s. He seemed
as though he was about to speak, but he then broke eye contact and
continued toward the car. Once inside, he started the engine. Slowly the
passenger window rolled down and he looked directly into their eyes once
more. A frown appeared on his face, but then, without comment, he
abruptly drove off.
“Wow. What do you make of that, Sis?”
“I don’t know, but he gave me the creeps.”
“Yeah, me, too, little sister. Me, too!”
