Dear Deacon John,
The abortion mindset does not discriminate. It says that abortion is needed in every country, for every ethnicity, in any economic class ... and at any stage of pregnancy. It wants free reign on the unborn – abortion on demand for any reason. What’s worse is that it is often sold as “freedom.” Whether you’re in Russia, Mexico, Romania or the United States, the abortion mentality shows its eugenic roots – we have the right to decide who is and who is not born based on the circumstances of their conception. This mentality is dangerous and it does not stop at international borders ... but neither do the prayers that offer hope against such a cold mentality. Today we see that the abortion mindset wants us to ignore the unborn child – at all costs – but the love of Christ is impossible to ignore!
Las Cruces, New Mexico
The Las Cruces team holds the March of the Crosses as one of their campaign events.
Participants are asked to carry crosses. It’s a sign of Christ’s sacrifice, of course – but it’s also the name of the city. “Las Cruces” is Spanish for “the crosses.”
The march even got the attention of the local media.
“We are praying for a respect for human life, especially the most vulnerable,” Bishop Oscar Cantu, who helped lead the march, told the Las Cruces Sun-News. “And sometimes the most forgotten are the unborn.”
“We have to set the model ourselves by being peaceful and non-judgmental,” Mark Cavaliere, the local 40 Days for Life coordinator, told the reporter. “We believe that these abortion clinic workers and the mothers going into these facilities are victims themselves. We are reaching out to them as well.”
Rostov-on-Don, Russia
This Russian city is in the midst of its first 40 Days for Life campaign … and they’re seeing results from their peaceful presence.
Denis said he was holding a poster and praying outside the abortion center when a young woman walked up to the building. He spoke to her briefly as she was on her way in, and it seemed that she was abortion minded.
About 20 minutes later, the young woman walked out, looked at the poster Denis was holding – and smiled, appearing much more confident than she did when she walked in.
Later, a staff member came out and said they’d had a young woman in earlier who had decided to have her baby.
“I have no doubt that the Lord saved the child,” Denis said. “Thank you, Holy Spirit!”
Nasaud, Romania
According to Daria, the local coordinator, the third 40 Days for Life campaign in Nasaud is going well.
Many of the volunteers who took part in the city’s first two campaigns are back again this time. And more people have accepted the invitation to take part.
Although at times there might be only one person praying outside the hospital, many of the volunteers say they experience a great feeling of peace when they are praying for life.
“Through our vigil and messages,” said Daria, “we make our community realize that the abortion is not a choice. There are a lot of people who come from countryside to visit their relatives at the hospital and they see us praying in the street. Every Sunday, members of the Greek Catholic church, together with their priest, come to the vigil place for prayer.”
Passersby ask about the vigil, but they are now accustomed to seeing people praying outside. The volunteers report only positive responses.
Here’s today’s devotional from Fr. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life.
Day 30 intention
That those tempted to abort may understand that their child is already present, and already a real person.
Scripture
And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.”
— Luke 1:41-44
Reflection
Jesus not only loves unborn children — He was one himself!
Think about this for a moment.
We often hear people speak of a pregnant mother by saying, “She’s expecting a child.” Now if one is expecting a package, the package is not yet there. As reflected in our verse for today, however, this is not the case with the mother.
Her gift is already there. The pregnant woman, a mother already, does not have a child “on the way,” but has a child, already present and in full possession of his or her human rights, starting with the right to life.
Prayer
Jesus, open my eyes to your presence in the life of every child. Open my heart to joy in the birth of every child, a birth that reflects the joy of your own birth in Bethlehem.
As you shared life in the womb of Mary, so now send your protection upon every child still in the womb, and grant to their mothers the strength and joy that comes from welcoming the gift of life. We pray through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Printable devotional
To download today’s devotional as a printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/media/day30.pdf
For life,
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SHAWN CARNEY
President
40 Days for Life
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