Pro-Life: 40 Days for Life seeks to build culture of life
Catholic Spirit, March 2009, Good News
By Marie Seale
Guest Columnist
God uses 40 days throughout history. Noah experienced a transformation during 40 days of rain. Moses was transformed by 40 days on Mount Sinai. Jesus was empowered by 40 days in the desert. The disciples were transformed 40 days after Jesus’ resurrection.
Today, God is using 40 days to build a culture of life through a campaign of prayer, fasting, community outreach and peaceful vigil. This campaign is a national effort known as 40 Days for Life. It began in 2004 in this diocese through the efforts of the Brazos Valley Coalition for Life. This year, 118 cities are participating, including Bryan and Austin. This will be the first consecutive 40 day campaign in Austin.
The goal of this campaign is the conversion of hearts. It seeks to build a culture of life in which all life is cherished and respected and it seeks to end the suffering of abortion. We already know that abortion takes an innocent life, that of the unborn child. However, ministry at the abortion facility does not only seek to save the physical life of the child, but to offer eternal life and salvation in Christ to the mother, father and others involved in this abortion. Truly, this ministry cannot be done without having a heart focused on Christ’s love and immersed in prayer and fasting.
Christ is constantly reaching out to us, and so he does with those seeking an abortion. He reaches out to them as they make the decision and when they enter the facility. He offers support if they choose not to have an abortion, and he offers healing if they do. So those participating in 40 Days for Life seek to be Christ’s hands and feet at the abortion facility. We come to offer hope to those who despair.
This campaign has mobilized people of faith and conscience in 204 cities across 49 states. Since 2007, these are just a few things 40 Days for Life has accomplished, according to www.40daysforlife.com.
• More than 175,000 have joined together in unity to pray and fast for an end to abortion.
• More than 70,000 people have formed peaceful 40-day prayer vigils outside of Planned Parenthood centers and abortion facilities.
• Reports from around the country document that more than 1,100 lives have been spared from abortion — and those are just the ones that have been documented.
• Five abortion workers have quit their jobs and walked away from the abortion industry.
• Three abortion facilities completely shut down following local 40 Days for Life campaigns.
• Hundreds of women and men have been spared from the tragic effects of abortion, including a lifetime of regrets.
• Many people with past abortion experiences have stepped forward to begin post-abortion healing and recovery.
The 40 Days for Life campaign began on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 25, and it will conclude April 5 at two locations in the Diocese of Austin. During this penitential season, 40 Days for Life is an excellent opportunity for Catholics to pray and fast for life. Please consider participating as a part of your Lenten sacrifice.
Even an hour each week will have a tremendous effect as we work to build a culture of life. Vigils outside the abortion facilities are always prayerful and peaceful. The goal is to provide witness and hope to women and men seeking abortion. The display of aborted children or slogans that could be taken as judgmental are not permitted.
The two locations are at Planned Parenthood at 4112 E. 29th St. in Bryan (for more information or to sign up, visit www.coalitionforlife.com), and International Healthcare Solutions at 9805 Anderson Mill Rd. in Austin (for more information or to sign up, visit www.40daysforlife.com/austin).
Those interested in continuing and growing Sidewalk Ministry beyond 40 Days for Life at any of the abortion facilities in the Diocese of Austin are asked to use the contact information below to get in touch with the Office of Pro-Life Activities and Chaste Living.