Day 23: 328 Babies Saved!

40 Days for Life at St. Thomas More
Cathedral in Arlington, VA.

As we continue our 40-day journey together in faith, hope, and love for the unborn, allow me to share some recent blessings with you!

 

Last Saturday I attended Mass at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More, where Arlington Bishop Paul Loverde offered his monthly Respect Life Mass for our campaign. As I arrived at the Cathedral I noticed a 40 Days for Life campaign sign prominently displayed, and couldn't resist taking a quick snapshot for you (see right). What a joy to pray and worship with fellow pro-life Christians for this intention, and to hear the Bishop's words of support and encouragement for our work!

 

In addition, several reports have come in over the past few days of God's blessings at the vigil:

• One Alexandria prayer volunteer writes about an experience she had a couple of weeks ago, which made a deep impression on her. While standing at the vigil site, she saw a lady drive by, then stop as they were entering the lot. The lady asked, "Where can I get an abortion?" Rather than answering this question, the volunteer invited the lady to consider having the baby. The lady said she had four children already, and didn't want anymore. When the volunteer suggested adoption, the lady pointed to her stomach and said "I just want it out of me." Undeterred, the prayer volunteer told her that God wanted her to keep the baby, and that other options were available. The lady did not want to discuss other options, but after driving around the parking lot a few times, she left with a wave of the hand. "Over and over I hope and pray that she didn't follow through with the abortion," the prayer volunteer wrote. "But she didn't get one that afternoon... So maybe this is a '+1' for your numbers." 
  
• Another prayer volunteer, Maria, writes about her vigil experience last Monday evening. As a group of five young men walked by, she gave them a flyer containing local pregnancy resources including Project Rachel information. One man calmly stated to his friends, "My girl had an abortion." Maria writes, "I pray that the guy whose girl had an abortion reads and responds to the Project Rachel information on the flyer."
  
• Finally, Matt reports on his Wednesday afternoon shift. He writes, "It was the most positive experience so far." Rather than irate drivers and shouting atheists, he continues, "I had a guy walking his dog who thanked me for being there, and several people in cars either waved or honked their horns." 

I am so grateful for Maria, Matt, and everyone who is helping to maintain a witness for life outside the abortion clinics on Duke Street. As Bishop Loverde remarked, and these reports indicate, our prayerful presence encourages many to choose life, and brings a renewed sense of hope to our community. With God's grace we will continue to stand together as a sign of His mercy, love, and peace!

 

Action Items:

1. Please remember to email your stories, comments, and suggestions to me for inclusion in our team updates (jacinta.40days@gmail.com).
   
2. In addition, there are still many empty or thin hours in the remainder of our campaign. Please check the vigil calendar for upcoming needs, and consider spending an hour or more of your time in prayerful witness for the unborn.
   
3. Finally, don't forget to mark your calendars for our closing Victory Banquet, to be held Sunday, November 6 at 3pm, in Queen of Apostles church hall. More details will come shortly, but we definitely want to see you there!