Historical Insights: Saint Paul VI Institute

The passing of Pope Benedict XVI is a great loss to the Church. He will now enjoy his eternal reward for his faithfulness to the Church’s teachings and his prolific and important theological writings.

In 2004, Cardinal Ratzinger, Head of the Vatican’s Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, met with Dr. Tom Hilgers, Sue Hilgers and Sr. Reneé Mirkes

This was the monumental year that Dr. Hilgers textbook, The Medical and Surgical Practice of NaProTechnology, was published. And, how important and special to bring the textbook to the Vatican!

Dr. Hilgers presented the book to His Eminence. When he read the title, his response was “Ah…new terminology!”

During this same visit to Rome, Dr. Hilgers presented the textbook to Pope John Paul II.

The development of the Creighton Model FertilityCare System that led to NaProTechnology is a direct spiritual and scientific response to Humanae Vitae’s appeal to doctors and men of science. Without the support of both St. John Paul II and His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, this effort would have been even more difficult and challenging.

In 2013, shortly after Pope Benedict’s resignation had been announced, Dr. Hilgers presented NaProTechnology and the treatment of Infertility during the Pontifical Academy for Life meeting on Reproductive Technologies. Dr. Hilgers did meet Pope Benedict XVI during the meeting’s audience.

We all pray that the continued effort of the Saint Paul VI Institute will be protected and blessed by St. Pope Paul VI, St. Pope John Paul II, and Pope Benedict XVI, who we pray will rest in peace.