A More Visible Witness

In a moment of bravery during college, I signed up for the Students for Life Retreat with the Helpers of God’s Precious Infants in New York City.  I had never been to a pro-life prayer vigil or stood outside of Planned Parenthood, and I was a little afraid.  Would people be angry at us for being pro-life?  How would I handle seeing women and girls enter the clinic, knowing they were there to end a life?  Was I expected to know special prayers or how to talk to the women?

My apprehension faded as we prayerfully began the pilgrimage.  Our Lady of Guadalupe bobbed cheerfully at the front of the procession, strengthening my heart.  The priests led us in prayer, asking for intercessions for women considering abortion, for men to accept the challenge of raising a family, for a change of hearts and minds in our nation regarding abortion, and for the innocent souls not granted life outside the womb.

My heart broke.  I had recently lost my grandfather – his funeral Mass hadn’t even happened yet! – and life seemed infinitely more precious.  At least my grandpa had loved and been loved by God, his wife, his children, his grandchildren and friends.  In the face of abortion, I found myself unable to deeply mourn his death.  Of course I loved him and had always envisioned him around for years to come, but he’d had a full life and a natural death!  In contrast, abortion, done in name of false freedom, had taken the lives of 53,506,957 children since Roe v. Wade in 1973.

53,506,957 children murdered by their parents.

I find it is very easy to sit at my computer and be pro-life, to write the pro-life inserts for my parish bulletin, and to lament the evil that is abortion.  It’s a lot harder to be publically pro-life in the streets, in the workplace, and with family and friends.

Start small.  Include struggling mothers in your prayer intentions.  Don’t let a disparaging comment about people with disabilities go without comment.  Share your copy of Abby Johnson’s Unplanned.    Donate to maternity homes and local life centers.  Remind people that children are a gift and that God provides.   Visit the elderly.  Encourage your friends to prayerfully date instead of meaninglessly hooking up.

If you feel called to be a more visible witness against abortion, consider joining the 40 Days for Life, which begins today and lasts until November 8th.  This 40 day pro-life effort across the United States consists of prayer, fasting, community outreach, and peaceful vigil.  If you have never taken part, I urge you to give one hour to this movement!  When you’re there, you do not have to do anything you’re uncomfortable with.  People skilled in counseling will speak with women entering the clinic, while you can pray on the sidewalk and remind your community that you are not in agreement with abortion.

There are many small actions and words that can build up the culture of life day by day.  It’s a relief to know that the Church works together, that we don’t do it on our own, and that all ministries promote the dignity of life, from womb to tomb.

Heavenly Father,

the beauty and dignity of human life

was the crowning of your creation.

You further ennobled that life

when your Son became one with us in his incarnation.

Help us to realize the sacredness of human life

and to respect it from the moment of conception

until the last moment at death.

Give us courage to speak with truth

and love and with conviction in defence of life.

Help us to extend the gentle hand of mercy and forgiveness

to those who do not reverence your gift of life.

To all, grant pardon for the times we have failed

to be grateful for your precious gift of life

or to respect it in others.

We ask this in Jesus’ Name.

 Amen.

 

Trista Garttner

Trista Garttner

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6 thoughts on “A More Visible Witness”

  1. I joined the Students for Life organization on my campus and nearly every Saturday we go into DC to pray for two hours outside the local Planned Parenthood. Although I’ve attended the March for Life with my family almost year since I can remember, I had never prayed outside Planned Parenthood before. We say the rosary on the Metro on the way there and people’s reactions always vary from subtle smiles to eye-rolls. The first day I went it was pouring down rain and we stood in a circle around some (ironically) dying rose bushes. It’s definitely a real and sobering experience.

    “Unplanned” is a fantastic book! I loaned it out to a couple of my friends after powering through it in a day. I suggested it to my pro-choice suitemate but it would help if I had the book with me…

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