SETTING AN EXAMPLE FOR THE YOUNG ONES…
Get inspired to begin these forty days by watching this very short video: Fall 2025 40 Days for Life Vigil Preview Video
The only message I have for our first day, is to go to last night’s blog post and read about Fr. Joe Freedy’s homily. His homily is everything that I would want to say, to encourage all of our 40 Days for Life participants to persevere throughout these next 40 days. I can’t add a single thing to his powerful message. CLICK HERE to see the photos, watch the videos, and read Fr. Joe’s motivating message to us.
Okay, I lied. There is ONE thing I would like to add. I have to say that I was very encouraged by the fact that most of the attendees last night were young people. When I began leading 40 Days for Life, 15 years ago, I was in my late 40’s…and I was the “young one“. Now, at 60, I am the old one…AND I AM SO HAPPY ABOUT THAT!!! I have been asking God lately if He still wants to use an old lady like me, or is it time to hand it over to someone younger? I am happy to continue to be used if He wants…but it is up to Him.
I think I got my answer: For us “old people“…we have a job to do. That job is to mentor and to assist the young people that God is now calling into this spiritual battle. We have to be there for them, as they begin to step out into a difficult, and sometimes frightening, world. There will be many forces that rage against them, and they will need guidance and an example to follow. I hope I can do that well, and I hope that many of you will join me.
I think for now, the best way that we can mentor these young people is to model for them a life of self-sacrifice. Let’s give of ourselves, our time and our comfort…at the vigil and in fasting. Let’s show them how to suffer patiently and lovingly. Let’s not let them see us indulging ourselves with unnecessary luxuries. Let’s let them see us living soberly and simply…putting God first in our lives, and our families second. Okay fellow “oldies”…are you with me? If so, I look forward to standing with you during these next 40 days! Keep reading to see how our first day went, and may God bless you!
Nikki
Cathy & Peggy – 7:30-9:00
Peg and I plus Mary B. Fortunately rather slow though one too many couple went inside and a fair number of workers. We prayed our rosaries,as well as a Memorare Novena for the couple. They brought in two empty dumpsters so the guys were bringing out a lot of stuff from the bar.
Conrad & Sue 9-11am
(From Sue) – after a late start due to traffic, the weather for our shift was a steady rain, but not cold, so very tolerable. Conrad and I prayed a lot while holding the signs. Many women went into planned parenthood and we approached as many as we could with free alternatives to abortion. We got several thumbs up from passing cars and we engaged some people passing by. Quite a few people took our green cards and 1 lady was re-directed to Northside Christian, a Federally Qualified actual healthcare clinic that does not do abortions.
NOTE FROM JENNA – Jenna stopped at the vigil just to pray a Divine Mercy Chaplet, but had the opportunity to talk with a young woman who had just exited PP. She told her that she just found out she was pregnant. She is asking for prayers.
Larry 11am – 1pm
(From Larry) – For the 11 to one shift, I started with Sue and Conrad. Sue was there till noon, and was replaced with the next Susan who arrived at noon. When I got there at 11:00, Sue was speaking with a girl, whose friend “T”, was in PP scheduled for an abortion. Although “T”‘s friend spoke with Sue for quite a long time, her friend did come out at about 1 o’clock, and said that “T” did go through with it. Keep her in your prayers. We were speaking with the security guard who was pretty interested in what we were doing. He said that he had a one year-old baby in Jamaica. He was from Jamaica, and was here working on a green card. Several women went in to planned parenthood during the 11 to one shift. Towards 1 o’clock, a young man, African-American, came by and was speaking ill of Charlie Kirk and said that Charlie Kirk earned his death. Sue told him we will pray for him.
Judy Z., Chris & Kevin – 1 – 3pm
(From Chris) – I was joined in prayer today by Kevin from Regina Coeli Parish and Judy, our faithful Sidewalk Advocate, from St. John the Worker Parish. It sprinkled or rained heavily all during our shift, but that didn’t dampen our prayer efforts. We prayed three Rosaries, two Chaplets of Divine Mercy, and one Loreto Litany. We received a couple of one-finger salutes, but the weather discouraged passerby interactions. Judy approached every woman she could, offering potentially life-saving resource information.
Eileen & Mary – 3-5pm
Mostly uneventful, several people went in and refused literature. A very foul/mouthed man came over to claim that Israel killed Charlie Kirk and continued to rant, but left when we started praying the rosary. Several women came to PP after 4, which made us think they may have come for a meeting.