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40 Days for Life national director David Bereit and I
are in the process of visiting 40 Days for Life
locations, and that’s where we are — on the road again.

I was in Fort Collins, Colorado yesterday. Today and
tomorrow, David is scheduled to go to seven locations
in Minnesota.

And just recently, he and I were both able to visit
40 Days for Life participants in Helena, Montana.

Here are a few more highlights from local 40 Days for
Life events.

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE

At the kickoff event of the 40 Days for Life campaign
in Memphis, Stefanie met a young woman.

“She said she saw us on the sidewalk,” she said, “and
decided to walk on over.” The girl had been staying with
a family that lives right behind Planned Parenthood —
she had been kicked out of her home.

“I told her please do not enter that building,” Stefanie
said, pointing towards Planned Parenthood, “and that I
could take her to a pregnancy center.” She agreed to go.

“Thank God we were all out there in numbers for our
kick-off rally”” she said. “She had fifty people praying
for her and the life of her baby!”

To see a picture from the kickoff event in Memphis,
please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2299

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA

Wynette in Sacramento says the abortion center where
40 Days for Life vigils are held has done something
special for this fall’s campaign.

The facility’s owner has put up solid redwood fence
panels on their wrought iron gate.

“The original wrought iron fence allowed us frequent
access to women who were considering abortion, enabling
us to speak with them and offer them assistance,” she
said. “But apparently, the abortion business is not
really supportive of ‘choice’ as they do everything
they can to prevent women from changing their minds.”

The thing is, Wynette said, the power of prayer knows
no barriers.

A couple explained to vigil participants why they had
come to this abortion center.

“We already have a two-month-old baby at home and we
just can’t handle another one so soon,” said the young
mother. They had come the week before, but just couldn’t
go through with the abortion and left.

“We came back today,” she said, “but they just told us
the doctor isn’t going to show up, so all appointments
have been canceled. We take this as a sign that maybe
we shouldn’t go through with the abortion.”

To see pictures of the big fence — and some of the
prayer team members in Sacramento — please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2299

GERMANTOWN, MARYLAND

“The Germantown 40 Days for Life is off to a great
start,” said Andrew, one of the local coordinators.

There is a special feature at the Germantown location —
a candlelight vigil every Sunday evening outside the
abortion center. The abortionist there is Leroy
Carhart, who travels from his home in Nebraska to
perform late-term abortions in Maryland.

“Carhart has regularly been coming on Sundays to
start the late-term abortion procedures,” Andrew
explained. “We would like to be there to pray for
these women, their babies, Carhart and his staff.
Thank you to everyone for coming out to pray so far.”

I echo that thank you — for YOU and for everyone
who has set aside time to pray for an end to abortion
during this 40 Days for Life campaign.

Day 8 - October 5

Intention:

May the spirit and example of the Good Samaritan fill the hearts and minds of all our citizens.

Scripture:

Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So, too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'

"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

-- Luke 10:30-37

Reflection:

Here Jesus commands us to show mercy to the victims of the culture of violence and death.

But why did the priest and Levite fail to show mercy? Perhaps they feared that the robbers were hiding just around the next corner to attack them. They asked themselves, "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?"

The Samaritan, however, reversed the question, and asked, "If I don't stop to help this man, what will happen to him?"

In working to save the unborn, let's not worry about what will happen to us if we act; let's worry about what will happen to the unborn if we don't.

Prayer:

Father, we are moved by the lesson of the Good Samaritan, who allowed compassion to influence him more than fear. Give us the same heart. Grant that we may never count the cost of standing up and speaking out for the unborn. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for Life