40 Days for Life begins fall campaign

Joining the candlelight vigil Wednesday, the opening day of this fall’s 40 Days for Life campaign to end abortion, were about 75 youth and adults, women and men, laity, religious and a priest. They prayed, sang and listened to Scripture readings (Joel 2:15-17 and 2 Chronicles 7:14-15) across from Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, 470 Pleasant St., in Worcester, where abortions are performed. Their Prayer to End Abortion said, in part, “Lord God, I thank you today for the gift of my life, and for the lives of all my brothers and sisters. I know there is nothing that destroys more life than abortion, yet I rejoice that you have conquered death by the resurrection of your Son. … Today, I commit myself never to be silent, never to be passive, never to be forgetful of the unborn … never to stop defending life until … our nation once again becomes a nation with liberty and justice not just for some but for all.” Those willing to pray in their own way individually or in groups, on Dewey Street across from Planned Parenthood’s parking lot, any time during these 40 Days, are asked to sign up on the website www.40daysforlife.com/worcester so organizers can fill the time slots. Signs participants can hold say, “Ask to see the ultrasound” and “It’s not too late to change your mind” and “40 Days for Life.” The 40 Days for Life community is excited that a woman who decided against abortion during the spring campaign in Worcester  is to have her baby in October, said Sandra Kucharski, communications coordinator.