Posted on 10/02/2007 9:22:18 PM PDT by Coleus
As he stood facing the busy street in front of the Red River Women's Clinic, the dozen or so men and women who joined him drew close to hear his words above the sounds of the traffic and occasional nearby trains. The campaign, which began Sept. 26, includes prayer and fasting, community outreach and a 40-day, 24-hours-a-day prayer vigil in front of the clinic.
According to a diocesan release, "40 Days for Life" is a nationwide, ecumenical effort to increase awareness about abortion, "save the lives of unborn children and bring healing to those who have had abortions, those who have encouraged abortions, and those who perform and assist with abortions." The campaign, which continues through Nov. 4, is under way in 89 cities in 33 states.
In an Aug. 28 letter to priests of the diocese, Bishop Aquila asked them to schedule an hour of prayer in front of the abortion facility sometime during the 40 days and to encourage their parishioners to do the same. Forty days of round-the-clock prayer equals 960 hourlong prayer slots to fill. By the third day of the campaign, fewer than 250 of those hours remained open, the diocese said. One or more people were already scheduled to pray during the other 710 hours.
"People of many faith backgrounds are responding to the call to prayer. And dozens who have not officially signed up to pray are dropping by to join in prayer," said the diocesan release. One woman who prayed Sept. 27 wrote about a man who stopped by while she was there: "He told me how he had been involved in an abortion decision many years ago, and how he had never prayed outside a clinic before. He stayed for over an hour."
Abortions typically take place one day a week at the Fargo facility; in 2006 there were more than 1,200 abortions there. At least 25 women entered the facility Sept. 26. The following day, one of those women told a "40 Days" participant that she had entered, but then changed her mind. The campaign Web site noted, "She entered, but, while inside, decided to allow her baby to continue to live. The young mother left the abortion facility with her baby still cradled within her womb."
North Dakota Catholic Bishop Leads Prayers Outside State's Only Abortion Facility
FARGO, October 1, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Facing the busy street in front of the state of North Dakota's only abortion facility Friday morning, Most Rev. Samuel J. Aquila, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Fargo, led the prayers of the rosary. The dozen or so men and women who joined him drew close to hear his words above the sounds of the traffic and occasional nearby trains. The bishop had scheduled an hour of prayer at the abortion facility as part of the 40 Days for Life North Dakota campaign which began Wednesday, Sept. 26. The campaign includes prayer and fasting, community outreach and a 40-day, 24-hours-a-day prayer vigil in front of the Red River Women's Clinic, 512 1st Ave. N., Fargo, which is the only abortion facility in the state of North Dakota.
40 Days for Life is a nationwide, ecumenical effort to increase awareness about abortion, save the lives of unborn children and bring healing to those who have had abortions, those who have encouraged abortions, and those who perform and assist with abortions. The campaign is being undertaken simultaneously Sept. 26 through Nov. 4 in 89 cities in 33 states. In an Aug. 28 letter to priests of the Diocese of Fargo, Bishop Aquila asked the priests to schedule an hour of prayer in front of the abortion facility sometime during the 40 days and to encourage their parishioners to do the same. (See http://www.fargodiocese.org/News/40DaysForLifePriests.pdf ).
Forty days of round-the-clock prayer equals 960 hour-long prayer slots to fill. As of Friday, on only the third day of the campaign, less than 250 of those hours remain open. One or more people are already scheduled to pray during the other 710 hours. (See http://www.40daysforlifend.com/get_involved/schedule.php ) People of many faith backgrounds are responding to the call to prayer. And dozens who have not officially signed up to pray are dropping by to join in prayer. One woman who prayed on Sept. 27 wrote of her experience of a man who stopped by. "He told me how he had been involved in an abortion decision many years ago, and how he had never prayed outside a clinic before. He stayed for over an hour." (See http://www.40daysforlifend.com/blog/index.php?&rssid=204029 ).
Abortions typically take place one day a week at the Fargo facility, with the number of children killed through abortion at the facility in 2006 totaling more than 1,200. At least 25 women entered the facility on Sept. 26. The following day, one of those women told a 40 Days participant that she had entered, but then changed her mind. The campaign Web site notes, "She entered, but, while inside, decided to allow her baby to continue to live. The young mother left the abortion facility with her baby still cradled within her womb." (See http://www.40daysforlifend.com/blog/index.php?&rssid=204007 )
To sign up for an hour of prayer at an abortion facility, people may visit http://www.40daysforlifend.com
I have heard that pro lifers are being harassed in front of the abortion mill, “Dr. Emily’s” in the Bronx. We have gotten a couple of dirty looks from the people who own stores near the abortion mills but on the whole, I would say that the people in Queens are pretty supportive of us.
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