Diane at Te Deum Laudamus! reports on a pro-life prayer vigil organised by the Helpers of God's Precious Infants the day after our Maidstone vigil. The vigil was led by Mgr Jeffrey M. Montforton, the Rector of the Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit. there was 7.30am Mass at Assumption Grotto, then a Rosary procession from St Veronica's Church with a procession to say the Rosary opposite two abortion clinics. Afterwards there was Benediction back at Assumption Grotto and a talk in the hall by Dan Goodnow, president of HGPI in Michigan.The photo above shows part of the Rosary Procession in the icy rain. Diane reports that there were 200 people there. Here in England, we can only dream of that kind of attendance at our pro-life vigils. But as I said to her, our relatively small numbers help us to feel that we are at calvary, as Mgr O'Reilly, founder of HGPI would say.
For more photos, see: Helpers of God's Precious Infants Prayer Vigil
2 comments:
Father - thanks for sharing this. No group is too small for this kind of thing.
I should point out that there was a time when only a small handful of people would show up for these quarterly events (Helpers works outside of abortion clinics daily, with some serving as sidewalk counselors and others standing by, mute in deep prayer for their success).
The first time I photographed a vigil there was probably only about 100. It's been growing. We've had as many as 300 at one of these.
One things the organization has done that I think is smart, is to recruit people from the diocese to lead. The bishops take turns and when they can't make it they talk to the monsignors. This was the first time anyone from the seminary was asked.
I had wondered why the didn't get someone of national prominence like, Fr. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life. But, the concept is simple. It enables key people in the diocese to take a lead.
I should mention that Helpers, at least in metro Detroit (they have chapters in other countries now), has a network that includes crisis pregnancy centers. Sidewalk counselors could not be effective at getting people to consider alternatives unless there were benfactors donating money that would be used to bring these babies to term and to help the mom's get on their feet. They provide support before, during, and after the pregnancy.
If anyone is wanting to find other chapters, just google Helpers of God's Precious Infants to see if there is one near you. I don't know that there is an organized network of chapters online - I made a blog for ours (embedded in link you provided).
Congratulations on setting a fine example, Father. If priests and bishops were to officially endorse pro life events the numbers would increase.
Now imagine if some of those creative liturgy people were released from the energy saving lightbulb initiative they could get cracking on some "parish resources" for the young people.
You know the sort of thing:
"Hey kids - isn't Father Trendy a boring old loon? He thinks he's going to save the world by playing Bob Dylan songs on his guitar and wearing sandals - but he doesn't know that's so LAST CENTURY. How EMBARRASSED were you when he asked you to join his "liturgical dance group"? But don't let him put you off the Church. How about getting into something really cool behind his back?
"Get a group of your friends together and pray the rosary outside an abortion clinic. You can really make a difference! Those prayers really, truly save lives. And it's a great Christian witness. Try setting up a blog or website to get people together. This is more important than Fair Trade Chocolate Bars. It's something all Catholics can agree on! And if it takes off Father might even be embarrassed into coming along."
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