We were taught to believe that fertility could be controlled and would lead to happiness
Over at Inside Catholic, Deal Hudson profiles Divine Mercy Care, a pro-life ob-gyn practice and pharmacy located in Northern Virginia. Divine Mercy Care is run by Dr. John Bruchalski, a well-known Catholic doctor who has appeared on EWTN and at numerous Catholic conferences around the country. From the article:
Bruchalski’s vision of pro-life medical care goes beyond the rejection of abortion and contraception as medical options. He was emphatic when he told me, “I have to see the underserved in my daily life.” As a result, Tepeyac is the largest provider of obstetric services to Medicaid patients in northern Virginia.
DMC has three pillars, according to Bruchalski: to offer excellent medicine, serve the underserved, and make daily use of Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. These commitments grew out of Bruchalski’s own conversion from conventional obstetrics as a medical student and resident.
I asked what changed his view of medicine. “We were taught to believe that fertility could be controlled and would lead to happiness,” he said, “but my experience changed my mind. Just the opposite was the case: diseases were becoming epidemic; relationships broke up; women using contraceptives were being hurt by being subjected to men — all leading to sadness, depression, and loss of libido.”
I am completely biased when it comes to Dr. Bruchalski and Divine Mercy Care. He delivered my fifth child, and to be honest, we would not have her if not for Dr. Bruchalski. My wife had a number of problems which led to multiple miscarriages and our previous OB could not determine the root cause. Dr. Bruchalski, however, was able to put her on a series of medications which helped her and led to the birth of child number 5. I am eternally grateful to him.
Dr. Bruchalski also told us a story about an African woman who came to his clinic after having 12(!) abortions. She had converted to Christianity and wanted to conceive a child, but of course her uterus was in terrible condition. He was able to determine a plan of medications that led her to conceive and bear a healthy child. What he does is truly miraculous.
What is so awesome about Dr. Bruchalski is that he doesn’t succumb to the powerful peer pressure that exists in the medical community. This is most obvious in his strong pro-life and anti-contraception views, but it pervades his entire outlook. He takes what is best from the medical community, but he is not afraid to do something that his own experience tells him works. Just because something is a fad doesn’t mean he will accept it blindly, and just because something falls out of favor with the medical establishment doesn’t mean he rejects it as well. I can testify from personal experience that he was able to help us when no other doctor could because he was willing to think “outside the box.” May God bless his work.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!














Beautiful story! Many women who deserve what Dr. Bruchalski’s office affords women, can access similar care through the Creighton Model of NFP’s medical consultants who have offices women can visit, or have one of those doctors suggest a fertilityhealth plan with a Catholic perspective, (one which also dovetails beuatifully with a simply natural view of fertility and respect for dignity of marriage, women and the human person).
I have taught NFP with different method for 10 years and am sold on this idea of making women’s reproductive health care with this profound respect for fertility and the best of the science/art of health care available for women all around our globe.
I’m in Gaithersburg, and teach Creighton Model NFP, local and long distance.
My wife tested positive for cervical cancer in the 15th week of her pregnancy. It was devastating news. Survivability of both the mother and child is one TOUGH topic to discuss. Dr. John immediately took oil touched to the grave of St. Philomena, and blessed her cervix with it. At peace with the fact that we would never have any more children (this was our fourth child), we prayed for St. Philomena’s intersession to get the baby to 35 weeks so they could take the child safely and my wife could begin chemo and / or schedule a radical hysterectomy. Dr. John walked, sheparded, and counseled us every step of the process, along with her oncologist. The entire office prayed and FASTED for her and the baby at the direction of Dr. John. We were ELATED when Dr. John took Molly Philomena at 36 weeks. Prayers answered! It was then we would be blindsided with the news from her oncologist, when we both went to schedule my wife’s surgery, that there was no trace of cancer in her cervix. A year and a half of testing and were cleared for more children. A miracle! Dr. John was rock in the face of life and death, and helped us maintain our focus on the Foot of the Cross no matter what the outcome. He truly is a conduit for the Holy Spirit for practicing and preaching the teachings of our Holy Faith about LIFE!
Tepeyac has delivered all eight of my children.