Our first 24 Hour Unity Vigil was held on Saturday, November 3, 2007.  From 5am to 9pm, we accumulated 20 human hours to pray in front of the local Planned Parenthood Center, which is located at 318 W. Washington Street, for the victims of the abortion tragedy.  Thanks to all who came to the site and those who could not come but prayed for this effort to end “legal” abortion.

Around the country, there are many miracles and wonderful stories.  Check this page: http://www.40daysforlife.com/blog/  David Bereit, the National Campaign Director of 40 Days for Life movement frequently posts new information there. 

Here are the responses from our OWN participants:

"Thank you for coordinating volunteers to spend an hour praying in front of Planned Parenthood as a part of the "40 Days for Life" nationwide movement to end abortion.  This was an hour full of grace and inspiration that will not be forgotten.  As my friend Jan and I rode together towards the Planned Parenthood building, we both were a bit apprehensive at what we could expect.  We took over for another friend, Roger, who started our hour in a spiritual way as we all wished each other blessings.  Jan and I began praying our first rosary, taking turns leading the decades.  We both felt an amazing grace upon us and knew our Blessed Mother was with us.  As the minutes ticked by, so did our prayers.  Through traffic noise, sirens and wind gusts, we continued with praying two rosaries and the Legion of Mary Tessera.  By the end of the hour, five or six younger women had entered and departed the building.  We prayed that the grace that our Blessed Mother gave us by our prayers might make a difference in their lives now or at some future point...we definitely knew that Her grace made a difference in ours.  As we drove away after exchanging hugs with our "relief," John and Roz, we knew we would do this again and hopefully, our experience will encourage others to participate in the future.  God bless you and your efforts "  --- Cathy

 

"On November 3, 2007 I volunteered to participate in the vigil in front of the Planned Parenthood office in Bloomington IL.  It was windy and cold and I realized that I wasn't dressed warm enough but as I began praying the rosary with my partner I didn't really notice the cold too much.

 

What I noticed most of all were the people in the cars as they passed by.  Some of them didn't seem to notice us at all.  Some glanced at us there and then looked away as if not to care.  One or two waved a little.  There was one man who drove by then stopped and backed up.  It was dark so there might have been a little spark of fear when we saw the car backing up.  However, there was warmth as we realized that he was shaking his head in agreement with us and giving us a thumbs up.  At one point a mom with her little boy and girl parked and walked up to us.  The children were about 8-9 and they were not wearing jackets.  They thanked us for being there and talked about wanting to participate when we do this again.  The little boy looked at the name on the building which had once been an appliance store called "Golden Rule"  He made the comment that they should change the name on the building or change their thinking.  Ahh the wisdom of children.  Toward the end of the hour we were walking up and down in front of the building and singing, when a young woman walked by carrying her sack lunch.  She said she was going a couple of blocks away to the Jesus Coffee House where they play music on Saturday evenings.  She said she was new to the community and asked if they did abortions at this planned parenthood.  We told her no but it had been discussed at times and always strongly opposed by this community.  We also said we continue to pray against such a clinic.  She gave us encouragement and I realized as our time came to an end that those few people who had shown their approval of our small effort had stirred a warmth in my heart that could never have been put there by any means other than Our heavenly Father, His beloved Son Jesus and the Love of the Holy Spirit. 

 

In the Words of St. Francis of Assisi who invited me into his family, 'Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks and serve Him with great humility' " ---Barbara Crabtree, SFO

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