40 Days of Life kicks off in Cape Coral next week
Its mission is to put an end to abortion, not just here in Cape Coral but all over the world.
Starting Friday, Sept. 26, 40 Day for Life kicks off with an opening Mass and continues through Nov. 2.
What started in 2007 with just one vigil in Texas has turned into a worldwide phenomenon.
Nearly 6,000 lives have been saved since the national 40 Days for Life Campaign began, according to recent estimates, and 24 abortion facilities have shut down following 40 Days for Life campaigns, according to its website.
“It protects the most innocent among us, and the unborn child is the most innocent,” said Jane Longo, organizer of the campaign. “If you’re not safe in your mother’s womb, where are you safe.”
Paula Hellenbrand, founder and organizer along with her husband, Rick, stressed the importance of the event.
“It’s the cultural issue people don’t discuss enough, and there are men and women hurting because of abortion choices they made,” Hellenbrand said. “We want to bring awareness to the issue.”
Hellenbrand, like many others, attended an earlier event and thought it was important enough to get involved.
Gwen Worrell, a founding member coordinator of the event at St. Andrew of Cape Coral, has been involved in the pro-life movement for 40 years and said 40 Days for Life was what she was looking for.
“A lot of these young girls have no idea what an abortion is about. Many women who talk about prior abortions burst into tears,” Worrell said. “They’ll say ‘if somebody had told me,’ and that’s the role of 40 Days for Life, to educate people on what we’re doing as a nation.”
The 40 Days for Life will start on Friday with a morning Mass at the Resurrection Church in Fort Myers at 9 a.m.
Supporters will then travel to Planned Parenthood on College Parkway and in Fort Myers, where participants will pray the rosary in a peaceful and prayerful vigil every weekday.
Vigil hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, Wednesday-Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays.
One of the highlights comes on Oct. 5, when Bishop Frank Dewane will come in from Venice to lead the vigil. Many other clergy people are also expected to participate.
Longo said they’re asking people to take shifts. But if people want to just stop by for a quick prayer, that’s O.K. as well.
40 Days for Life is the largest internationally coordinated pro-life mobilization in the world, helping people in local communities end abortion through prayer and fasting, outreach and peaceful vigil, according to the website www.40daysforlife.com.
It is non-denominational and all people who believe in the value of human life are invited to participate whether or not they are Christian.
“It isn’t really religious. Atheists or anyone who respects life can come,” Longo said. “All life is precious and a gift not from the state, but from the Creator.”