Day Twenty-Seven - Pro-Life Activism
Today's Reflection
by Rain Mariz
Advocating against abortion in public isn’t easy. Praying in public, offering help for unplanned pregnancies that do not involve abortion, and promoting the pro-life movement takes courage, especially in a world that is hostile to the culture of life. Is the 40 Days for Life campaign even worth it?
This year, I decided to take part in our local 40 Days for Life vigil and I can say for certainty that it is totally worth it! Sometimes it seems like we can’t do much to make a difference in this world, but the 40 Days for Life vigil truly changes that mindset. The 40 Days for Life, like Life Chain, is a campaign to end abortion through a peaceful all-day outdoor vigil of prayer, fasting, and community outreach. It is similar to Life Chain, but the 40 Days for Life is more prayer-centred. To be honest, the thought of standing and praying outside an abortion facility or a hospital (or anywhere, really) all day holding peaceful, non-graphic, pro-life signs can seem pretty intimidating. It was to me at first, even if there were some uplifting honks and thumbs up from pro-life supporters. I mean, who wants to suffer through a bunch of middle fingers, cuss words, and some rather hurtful statements during a peaceful witness?
It may seem discouraging at times, but the 40 Days for Life is actually a hopeful experience. In the midst of it all, by participating in the vigil you’re really planting pro-life seeds in those who pass you by.
About a week ago, our family was participating in an hour of the vigil when a passerby walked up to my parents to ask questions about why we were there. (He had also conversed with another vigil participant beforehand, and wanted to hear other participants’ perspectives on the campaign.) He seemed interested in what we were doing, and they talked for a while, from explaining that life begins at conception to why abortion is not a choice that anyone has the right to make. In all honesty, this was the first time I witnessed a respectful public dialogue in person about the pro-life movement. I had an enormous feeling of hope as I watched him talk to my parents. While he may not have been pro-life, he was doing his best to understand where we were coming from and he legitimately wanted to understand our position on this matter. He agreed to quite a few of my parents’ points, as well. It started to rain after a while, so he had to leave. I don’t know if he left with a firm conviction that abortion should be ended, but I am certain that pro-life seeds were planted through the conversation. This is the beauty in the 40 Days for Life campaign.
While there will be those who react to the vigil in anger, there are those who will take some moments to think about what they saw. Sometimes, you may have the chance to respectfully talk about abortion with someone who is genuinely curious about why we believe it is wrong. Maybe they were not exposed to the pro-life movement and are not able to see the intrinsic evil in abortion. But being out there, praying and holding signs, you have a chance to help them see what we see. Even if no one comes up to you for conversation, you are still planting seeds by being out there. Signs with phone numbers to pregnancy help centres, with encouraging quotes about choosing life, a call for prayer to end abortion, and more–they catch attention. Our vigil was at the side of a road, next to the hospital, and there have been many times when cars will slow down to read our signs. Pedestrians and passersby will glance up at them and then go on their way. Just by holding peaceful pro-life signs in public, you are spreading awareness for the pro-life movement. You’re sending out an important message–that there is hope.
Most importantly, one should never underestimate the power of prayer. As I’ve mentioned, the core of 40 Days for Life is that you are taking time out of your day to pray about a prominent issue in our world today. As Catholics, we are called to give what we can to our Church and the community–and that includes our time. We must never forget that.
This Lent, I encourage you to join a 40 Days for Life vigil at a location near you. It can be a truly inspiring experience, and it is a wonderful way to take action in the pro-life movement. Invite your family or friends to participate, too! If you cannot join a vigil, I encourage you to still take some time this Lent to pray for the end of abortion. By doing so, you are planting seeds for the culture of life, one person at a time.
Litany of Humility
O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being honored, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected, deliver me, O Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I go unnoticed, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
Amen.
Prayer written by Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val y Zulueta