Luke 1:46-56

46 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts,
52 he has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away.
54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity for ever.”
56 And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home.

Ruth Harrigan is a successful attorney in New Jersey, who has done pro bono work for juvenile prisoners. In 1993, an impaired driver changed her life forever. Initially misdiagnosed, the paramedics at the scene did not stabilize her spine. Over time, her diagnosis of quadriplegia manifested itself. Ms. Harrigan continues to practice law and blogs at Wheelie Catholic.  Her favorite saint is St. Jude Thaddeus. Click on the picture to visit his shrine.

Kristen: Have you always been a Catholic?
Ruth: Yes, I’m a cradle Catholic. I went to parochial school at the elementary level, but then to public high school. I didn’t stay in high school long…I was kind of a prodigy. I ended up in college in my mid-teens, after Rutgers admitted women for the first time. It was exciting to go to college young. However, I got out and graduated and had no idea what I wanted to do.

Kristen: That’s not so unusual at that age.
Ruth: I had lived in New Jersey all this time. I tried applying to medical school, and law school. They said, “You’re in, but wait a few years.” I tried practical experience. I worked in a hospital as a clerk in the operating room and I wound up doing a lot of running for all the doctors and nurses. I was right there with all the life and death stuff. It was very exciting, but I decided I didn’t want to be a doctor.