Faithful Catholics are called to protect all human life from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death. Thousands of those who believe in the intrinsic dignity of the human person from the moment of conception are participating in the fall 40 Days For Life campaign from September 23 through November 1. This is the fifth such coordinated campaign. The Diocese of Arlington is supporting the 40 Days for Life campaign and offers information on its web site encouraging participation. There is also a 40 Days for Life campaign in Washington D.C. This is a community-based effort that utilizes three points: prayer and fasting, constant vigil, and community outreach.
All who recognize the evil of abortion are asked to make special efforts to pray and sacrifice during the 40 Days for Life campaign. Prayer keeps the pro-life efforts focused on God's will. Efforts to confront the sin of abortion are not political actions. They are spiritual actions. It may be necessary to engage political means, but prayer keeps pro-life work centered on the spiritual ends.
The highly visible component of the 40 Days for Life campaign is the the constant prayer vigil outside abortion venues. These are not angry protests. They are a peaceful, prayerful witness to the Gospel of Life. During his recent visit to the Czech Republic, Pope Benedict XVI emphasized that Catholics must bring their faith to the public square:
"I would say that normally it is the creative minorities that determine the future, and in this sense the Catholic Church must understand itself as a creative minority that has a heritage of values that are not things of the past, but a very living and relevant reality. The Church must actualize, be present in the public debate, in our struggle for a true concept of liberty and peace."
Finally, 40 Days for Life is time for community outreach. This is time for the educating the community about the many alternatives to abortion. There are active Gabriel Project programs in both the Archdiocese of Washington and the Diocese of Arlington. These programs provide emotional, spiritual and material support to women and families facing crisis pregnancies. The Archdiocese of Washington also offers a Birthing and Care program to provide assistance and resources to women in difficult pregnancy situations. Numerous pro-life pregnancy centers are scattered throughout the Northern Virginia and the Washington D.C. metro area.
For more info:
National 40 Days for Life campaign
40 Days for Life Washington D.C.
Diocese of Arlington Respect Life Office
Archdiocese of Washington Sanctity of Life Office
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