Success Stories

Read these inspiring local and national success stories dating back from Fall 2007 thanks to 40 Days for Life:

BRYAN/COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS:

The vigil schedule was completely full at the beginning of the campaign and there wasn't one Planned Parenthood client who wasn't sidewalk counseled. We gave out 140 packets of free information about better health-care alternatives. There were over 50 volunteers who came out multiple hours a week, some giving over 7 hours of their time every week. There were over 500 volunteers who came out at some point to pray. We distributed over 450 yard signs and over 4,000 bracelets. We got 3 pro-life letters to the editor in the local newspaper which has been notoriously biased in the past.

Several women told us that they would not use Planned Parenthood again and would tell other people not to go there. Praise God for His mercy and His Holy Spirit!! Sign up now for your hour! 


DALLAS, TEXAS:

We had 1,994 people sign in at the vigil site. The last day, we held a Jericho March so for seven hours we had different groups walking the two mile walk around Planned Parenthood. We had a Youth for Truth Rally and after had the youth distribute literature to the whole neighborhood! Also, during the vigil, Susan G. Komen had their Race for the Cure, so we held our Strike for Truth the same day, viewed by the 35,000 runners for their race. We made it on Fox 4 News! And they got the story right: "A Pro-life group holding signs because they think Susan G. Komen should not be giving money to Planned Parenthood!" Our plan now is to get our bishop to send a letter out to all the diocese so hopefully we can dry up their funding to PP.

HAMILTON, NEW JERSEY:

The biggest miracle for the 40 Days For Life local campaign is we were able to fill all prayer time, 6:00am - 6:00pm, for the entire 40 days in one of the most liberal states in the US. Being yelled at, cursed at, and spit on did not deter our local "prayer warriors" from coming back to the vigil site again and again. Also, despite having little support from local religious leaders, our small core team was able to rally over 200 of the faithful in our town to participate in our on-site vigil.

As we wind up the 40 Days For Life Campaign, our prayer here in Hamilton, NJ is that this beautiful, prayerful national movement will mark the beginning of a re-invigorated national grass-roots pro-life movement -- one our political & religious leaders will be forced to recognize and act on. Mother Teresa, as usual, hit the nail on the head when she said "Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person." We are done waiting for our religious and political leaders to act. It's time for us to stand up for what is right, for what is moral.
Its time for us to speak for those who can't speak for themselves, the unborn.


SARASOTA, FLORIDA:

More than 1,300 pro-life advocates from Southwest Florida, including 80 clergy members and a variety of faith-based organizations, participated in silent prayer, peaceful vigil and fasting outside the Sarasota Planned Parenthood facility during the 40-day period.
The local campaign included participation from a mix of major religious denominations including Southern, Independent & Missionary Baptists, Roman Catholics, Inter, Trans & Non-Denominationals, Lutheran, Evangelicals, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Fundamentalists, Nazarene, and Methodists, among others. Faith-based organizations that participated in the campaign included Christian Coalition, Right to Life, Knights of Columbus and Council of Catholic Women, among others. This campaign has galvanized our community, raised public awareness and will now continue this important cause throughout the year.


EL PASO, TEXAS:

We were blessed to experience the Holy Spirit moving in our city. Many have been spiritually renewed and are willing to actively continue in the fight against the evil of abortion. 16 babies were saved from being torn from the wombs of their mothers. With that the lives of their parents were spared the aftermath of an abortion experience. We look forward to seeing what God has in store for our nation.


PENSACOLA, FLORIDA:

Top 10 Blessings of Pensacola's 40 Days for Life:

1.) Community Awareness: many did not realize Pensacola has two abortion clinics and did not know where they were.

2.) Mobilize people that have never been outside an abortion clinic

3.) After 15 years we have broken the stereotype that it is dangerous to pray at the abortion clinic and we have proved to Pensacola that peaceful, prayerful vigil can save lives!

4.) To see how the spirit of the long time pro-lifers (some 20+ years) go from one of discouragement to one of HOPE.

5.) Immense spiritual growth and graces received from praying at the abortion clinic

6.) Overcome the TREMENDOUS negative impact of two abortionist murders and bombings that occurred approximately 15 years ago in Pensacola. This has been a significant challenge to overcome. This set back the pro-life movement in the community several years and has allowed the abortion clinics to flourish. NOT ANYMORE after 40 Days for Life. Instead of 2-3 people gathered on Fridays, this past Friday we had 50 and every week it has been growing!! We have redefined the Pro-Life movement in Pensacola. There is so much to build upon and you can feel the tide turning. Pensacola is
cautiously becoming pro-life again.

7.) Witness how Jesus transfigures the ugly horror of abortion into a beautiful display of public prayer. That we raise others minds and heart to God as they drive by.

8.) One clinic closed for 3 weeks (the first 3 weeks of 40 Days for Life)

9.) 6 post-abortive women seeking healing

10.)Total of 84 lives saved over 40 Days. To have the husband of one woman come up to us and say that because you were out here we decided not to abort. To hear that one woman say she woke up and decided not to abort her child when she heard a man call out "Save your Baby!"


MERRILLVILLE, INDIANA:

We had two women who chose life for their babies!!! We also had two women who didn't take the morning after pill. We spoke with a lady who picked up a job application, who we didn't see return with her application. We spoke with women about contraception, who didn't go into Planned Parenthood. We now have people who want to continue sidewalk counseling after 40 Days for Life!!! 40 Days for Life was wonderful!!!


RENO/TAHOE, NEVADA:

Being new to the Pro-Life Effort, I heeded the advice of those who have put their lives into the Pro-Life effort and did not take our vigil to the sidewalk of the abortion center, opting to cover our region in Prayer to End Abortion, Morning, Noon and Night for 40 Days from churches and homes rather than the sidewalk of the abortion center. But in unity with the campaigns nationwide, we stood vigil for 24 hours on Saturday, Nov 3, from 12:01 am until midnight that night.

Throughout the campaign, we had slowly grown as a community committed to Praying to End Abortion, as one or another Church stepped forward each week. But during the 24 hour vigil, something miraculous happened. A true community was formed, friendships were forged and the human connection and commitment to this effort was made by those who participated. There is something special about standing with someone you've just met, at midnight, holding Holy Candles, Praying to End Abortion. For Reno/Tahoe, the 40 Days, rather than being over, has merely been the spark need to ignite the fire in our belly. We look forward to being here for the long haul. We wait in anticipation to see what other miracles God has in store for us.


CENTRAL TEXAS:

Seven Central Texas cities (Temple, Belton, Nolanville, Harker Heights, Killeen, Copperas Cove, and Lampasas) participated. Twenty two (known) churches, 345 adults, 30 children, 68 (undisclosed church affiliation) participated in the prayer vigil outside the abortion clinic. Approximately 100 people attended the closing event. Pastors gave us a word of encouragement, the "remnant" was exhorted for their faithfulness and God was praised for answered prayer. The ceremony ended with uplifting words and a celebration of life with a challenge to continue in the fight until abortion is ended in America. At least four babies were saved in Central Texas and countless people impacted by our constant presence at the abortion clinic. The biggest good story is one I heard of tonight... A neighbor that lives close by the clinic was convicted by the prayer vigil and about a week or two ago, he gave his heart to Jesus Christ!


FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA:

On day 39 a baby was SAVED from abortion and a young mother spared!!!!! Praise God!!!


PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND:

God's great blessings include:

1.) A young couple listening to our reasons for standing on that sidewalk offered to pray, asked us for Rosary beads, and committed to learning and praying the Rosary together!

2.) Two Spanish-speaking people overcame our language barrier to learn more about what Planned Parenthood is doing and have offered to ask their entire church to actively oppose PP's plan to indoctrinate our children.

3.) Pro-life veterans have found encouragement in our supportive prayerful presence.

4.) The Massachusetts faithful, even those who have had to travel far out of their way, have joined us on the sidewalk in Providence to pray for an end to abortion.

5.) Protestants have bravely come to the aid of Rosary-praying Catholics after witnessing hostile outbursts against us. They have called us a "sign" and a "calling" to them; their coming forth in prayer has been the greatest visible blessing of our 40 Days For Life campaign!

6.) The First Baptist Church in Rumford committed themselves to the 40 Days For Life cause and invited the RI directors as guests to the CareNet annual banquet.

7.) People with opposing viewpoints crossed the street to engage in peaceful dialog with 40 Days For Life vigil volunteers!

8.) New committed volunteers will continue their pro-life efforts and encourage friends and church communities to join us after the 40 Days are over.

9.) There is new hope on the faces and in the voices of witnesses who had begun to accept the inevitability of abortion during our lifetime. The tide IS turning!


COLLEGEVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA:

The biggest miracle at our location has been the determination to overcome all the obstacles that were in our path from the very beginning. They are too numerous to mention but with perseverance we continued to pray, fast and stand vigil at Planned Parenthood.
The Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration chapel has had over 1,100 adorers in the first 3 weeks of opening. This is truly a miracle! 40 Days for Life is God's work and we look forward to all the seeds that have been planted to turn our community and nation into one that respects life from conception to natural death!


PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA:

Pittsburgh will be different from this day on. We had two reported saves and who knows how many hearts were affected. We rallied all faiths and remained obedient. Our prayer team was faithful and our vigils on Saturdays grew in numbers to a record 40 people (there's that number again!) Duquesne University radio pulled $5,000 worth of Planned Parenthood advertising from their campus radio station and refunded them, refusing to give them an outlet. Robert Morris college will think twice about sending freshmen to the Planned Parenthood for community service. Pitt, Duquesne, Robert Morris, and Franciscan University students faithfully prayed and stood vigil.

The gospel was shared with many women as well as drunks, gays, lesbians, and prostitutes in the area. Hopefully the new recruits who stepped out of their comfort zone to be faithful will remain that way for the next 40 days and the next 40 years to see Roe v. Wade overturned. We in Pittsburgh are confident that this is the beginning to the end of legal abortion in this country. We will never underestimate the power of unity in prayer across all denominations. We have formed friendships that will never end and are committed to make next year's campaign more effective. We praise God for the blessing to serve Him and the time to see the fruits of our labor. Praise Jesus!


PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA:

The reason we had so many babies saved is because of all the people who were faithful to come out to stand in front of the Planned Parenthood office. We also had as many faithful who stood in Ft. Pierce where the abortion mill is and many numbers there were turned around as well. We estimated the total saved for the whole 40 Days for Life to be about 25. Thanks be to God for 40 Days for Life.


LUFKIN, TEXAS:

Lufkin prayed for 40 days with many new volunteers. We had as many as 45 people praying at the clinic on a single day. We had a college student learn about abortion for the first time. We showed Planned Parenthood that our community supports the pro-life movement by hearing all of the honks and seeing people wave at us for 40 days. We had a supporter call the Planned Parenthood looking for more information about 40 days who spoke to the security guard and invited him to his church. We saw the healing process begin for several men and women after speaking to us at the site.

We had 120 people pray in front of our clinic at some time during the 40 days. We prayed for a total of 631 vigil hours. We witnessed to 1000's of people in cars that pass by on this busy street. We saw many youth get involved for the first time through their church youth groups. We had 41 people at our Celebration Rally and we prayed in front of Planned Parenthood for most of the last 24 hours, ending the last 5 hours with a candle light vigil at the new site. We remained faithful and many have committed themselves to continue to do so until abortion is no longer in our nation.

These may seem small successes to many, but to Lufkin they are amazing and I praise God for each one. Most of all I praise God that I was able to be His humble servant in this campaign.


JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA:

Regis Burlas, a sweet man in his late 80's said, "I'll come anytime, any day, Mary and I want to come stand for those tiny babies." I scheduled them for a Sunday the first time so they could find their way on a low traffic day. I met them there and stood with them for awhile. They shared that it was their 7th wedding anniversary, they had been childhood sweethearts, gotten separated by wars and life, married, lost spouses, then after 55 years apart, they reunited and married. They came many times after that, coming to stand vigil separately and together, praying for the abortion facility to close.

One night as they were turning into the parking lot, an oncoming car struck them and Regis died later at the hospital. Today we celebrate the life of the babies and mothers saved in these 40 days -- and the life that Regis lived and spent serving the Lord in standing vigil for all the unborn. As he entered the kingdom, many tiny hands surely reached out to welcome him home and thank him for standing up for them.


CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS:

This has been the best pro-life effort in Corpus Christi since the rescues in the early 90's. Not only has it reawakened the zeal of long-time pro-life activists, it has inspired hundreds of volunteers who had never before openly supported pro-life activities.

This campaign was advertised to thousands of Catholics with over 40,000 parish flyers, 4 South Texas Catholic newspaper articles that were sent to over 40,000 homes, was on KLUX Catholic radio daily, had several radio talk shows interviews. 25 Catholic parishes in Corpus Christi and surrounded towns supported the campaign in addition to 7 parish priests attending one or more times with their parishioners. Four babies were known to be saved at the Aquino abortion clinic!


LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK:

Always, the "saves" of babies (and their moms & dads, too!) are our primary 40 Days for Life victories. Additionally, the significance of enduring "40 days" came to light the final week of the campaign. There has been a dearth of teenagers at our 40 Days for Life vigil (as well as at any of the 10 abortion sites where there is a weekly pro-life vigil on Long Island, many ongoing for years). But on day 36 (All Saints Eve/Halloween) some teenagers participated as part of the local homeschoolers group that prayed at the Planned Parenthood site of our 40 DFL vigil. Then the very next day (Day 37 / All Saints Day), seemingly out of nowhere, a small group of teens appeared and, huddled in a circle on the sidewalk, prayed for an end to abortion. Moreover, most of those teens are minorities and our vigil location is in a minority community -- a group we have been struggling to connect with. The youth group coordinator is on fire to do more pro-life outreach and is now one of several young adult pro-life ministers who the pro-life "veterans" have been able to join forces with because of 40 Days for Life.

The 40 Days for Life campaign also gave us an opportunity to do something unprecedented for the closing weekend. On Saturday morning Nov. 3, pro-lifers took the respect life message to SEVEN Planned Parenthood facilities in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Special praise to those prayer warriors who withstood the driving rain and buffeting winds from a passing hurricane.


SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA:

We were blessed with men, women, and children that prayed in front of Planned Parenthood. There were many different pro-life organizations represented such as ALIVE!, Respect Life, and Bound4Life. It was a joy to meet other people that have a common passion for Life.

On Day 39 we were also blessed to have South Dakota's first mobile crisis pregnancy center, Fleet For Little Feet, embark on its first mission. Our Fleet headed to Aberdeen, SD and was greeted with open arms by many pro-life prayer warriors in the Aberdeen area. The Fleet For Little Feet has an ultrasound on board and it went out equipped with a technician to run the ultrasound, a crisis pregnancy counselor, a counselor in training, and a bus driver. What a blessing the Fleet will be for our rural areas of South Dakota. Praise God for all the prayers and donations that have made this mobile mission possible.


HOUSTON, TEXAS:

During course the course of the 40 Days for Life, countless women went to local Crisis Pregnancy Centers for free pregnancy tests and Christian counseling. Praise God! Many were sent by the pro-lifers manning the prayer vigil and it was reported to us that many others were showing up at these CPC's with the literature we were handing out at Planned Parenthood. It was obvious to those of us who pray regularly at Planned Parenthood that their business was down during this campaign. When we ended, during the course of the morning over 175 people came out to pray.

One of the new Planned Parenthood escorts as she was helping to usher the moms in seemed very taken aback when she heard the loving kind way we speak to and counsel the moms. She then proceeded to stop escorting and just observed for a while. Shortly thereafter she was seen taking a Rosary out and started praying with us from inside Planned Parenthood's fence! We know that Planned Parenthood lies to them about our approach, and in fact at least 3 of the escorts during this campaign told us that we "weren't what they expected." Almost to a person the participants in this campaign told us that they wanted to continue, this next week they will be contacted to schedule their times. Our goal is to eventually man every hour that they are open.


NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK:

The prayerful "message" of the Vigils gave a comfort level to those who had not walked the "line" (as they call it here in Niagara) before and also moved the mission from protest to prayer; thus, allowing us to see increases in the numbers standing for Life.

One of our great victories was when one of our local leaders rallied a group of perhaps 40 home schooled children and their families for a noon-time prayer vigil and rally of signage in front of the local abortion clinic on a very busy roadway in Niagara! With children ranging from 3 to 4 years of age and up gathered together with their parents, the sight was impactful!

Perhaps in a supernatural "message" from above, the beautiful rainbow that appeared that day over the Abortion Clinic and a mall that houses our local Summit Life Center, allowed us all to see His glory reflected in these gifts of "life". I believe we are yet to see and hear about ALL of the lives and babies rescued from this amazing breakthrough of people, prayer, and provision in His name and in the name of 40 Days for Life!!


TUCSON, ARIZONA:

Praise God!!!!! Tucson ended our Vigil today (only for this week) with a promise to continue by registering families who will go one day per month or more to pray at the abortuaries in our town. We already have 4 families for Saturdays! Next is our super good news ...
PP was not killing today, the second time during the 40 Days Vigils that they were not killing on their busiest day of the week! Additionally, the private abortuary, located in the same private property complex, was not killing yesterday, the second time during the 40 Days, and again, on their busiest day of the week!


WILKES COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA:

for the first time ever, a local newspaper called The Journal Patriot ran a front page positive pro-life article with two color photos and a B/W photo inside. The 2 local papers ran at least 4 positive articles and an editorial. We had 50 churches sign up for day(s) of prayer and fasting. Thirteen of these churches interacted with the Wilkes Pregnancy Care Center for the first time.

40 Days for life flyers were allowed in the public schools (with a disclaimer). Also the public schools allowed the students to hand out an informative "She's a child not a choice" flyer about the development of the unborn child. Some post-abortive women have discovered each other and rejoice in their Savior Jesus Christ and His forgiveness and healing. The month of October has been one of the busiest months WPCC has ever had.

We'll never know how many babies were saved because we were there. Overall there is much more awareness and involvement from our local communities. And we have found some new volunteers, donors and many new friends. May God help us continue in a spirit of love as we serve the voiceless.


QUEENS, NEW YORK:

The biggest blessing to me was realizing how many young immigrant women in Jackson Heights, Queens, are pro-life and are stunned that their area has become abortion row. I received many "thumbs up" from local merchants who do not enjoy sharing space with abortionists. When it is time for that "all important" lease renewal, I hope that the owners of the buildings keep that in mind. I hope they come to respect the pro life values of the community. I also realized how much I have in common with people from different backgrounds who also value life. 40 Days for life, while not easy, has been a blessing. We are the "little engine that could."


WASHINGTON, D.C.:

The 15-plus babies that we know were saved was the biggest blessing. Next, the beautiful people we have meet and forged eternal relationships with are a special blessing that will keep reaping benefits forever, even after the end of legalized abortion. Being part of such a "one of a kind national campaign" has been a great blessing.


ROCKLAND COUNTY, NEW YORK:

Our 40 Days or Life has touched many lives. Girls that have had abortions shared their stories with our prayer angels and are seeking healing. Care Net, right across the street from Planned Parenthood, has been kept very busy throughout the Forty Days for Life Vigil. People stopping and joining from the street and wanting to give money to support the PRO-LIFE CAUSE. So many had no idea that Planned Parenthood promotes abortion and promiscuity and are amazed when we are standing there to PRAY THEM AWAY. The CEO of Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic Inc. tried to stage a rally against the 40 Days for Life and the press coverage backfired and was more pro-life than pro-abortion.

SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA:

What hit me the most is how great is the love of God! In one little incident after another he's shown his love for me and others. Like yesterday when I thought I would be one of only 3 people praying at 10 a.m. and there were thirty! He shows His love in the generosity of these volunteers many of whom are willing to continue to witness in front of Planned Parenthood even though in a more limited capacity over the winter -- they are still willing.

Then there are the prayer groups -- they just found our campaign. I didn't know most of them existed. There were at least six of them and one already has plans to pray at PP every first Saturday. Then there were the individuals who came to the vigil not once a week, but three, four, five and even six times a week. Of course there is the blessing of possibly two babies saved here, and elsewhere.

I met someone from Allentown who told me two babies were saved in one day! God loves all of us including the women who go into the Planned Parenthoods, the babies, many who tragically will be destroyed and he loves the misguided who perform and promote abortion. That is why I believe God not only wants to be faithful, but He wants us to be successful in our efforts to save babies and end abortion.


KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE:

We have been blessed with an amazing campaign. Area pregnancy help centers reported that from the onset of the campaign, there were immediate increases in the daily number of women being seen -- as many as three times the average number for an given day! We have verified stories of women, sitting in their cars in the parking lot of abortion mills, deciding at the last moment to give life to their child instead. The solidarity that has grown in the Knoxville believing community has been astounding and has produced a momentum that will continue past the 40 Days with a whole new cadre of pro-life workers. This campaign has saved lives, transformed hearts, created a solidarity of effort for the Gospel of life previously not seen and blessed us with a renewed prophet mission to promote the culture of life.


NEW YORK, NEW YORK:

The Queens side-by-side abortion mills begged us to end our campaign last week. One lady manager said "I thought this 40 Days thing was over already. YOU ARE KILLING OUR BUSINESS! We have high rent to pay upstairs." The 2nd mill's manager came out, the same day, carrying a page of newspaper abortion ads, and pointing to the many other abortion mill ads besides their own, she said "Why don't you pick on one of these other places for a change!" This is the best testimony I can send you, and the highest compliments we have received. God has blessed us with many new helpers, and some crosses too, but he has blessed us most with many real lives and souls saved in the NYC 40 Days for Life.


INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA:

During 40 Days for Life here in Indianapolis our local state-of-the-art Planned Parenthood abortion facility closed on at least two of their busiest abortion Saturdays. Sidewalk counselors believe that the number of abortion decreased from an average of 20 a day to as few as 5 a day.

We have had a number of saves, and are still counting. We have had people stop and ask us why we are there which gives us the chance to share our Christian witness. We have mobilized new warriors as well as reactivated others. We have brought together different pro-life groups in our community, Catholic and Protestant and hope to continue fostering these relationship.


CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA:

In all my years of ministering at the prisons and in front of the abortion clinic I have never encountered an event like this. It has been a great honor to serve Yahweh for the last 40 days. The greatest blessings was having the walls that divide denominations and races torn down to be unified as the body of Christ Jesus for one cause. Charleston is rooted deeply in its traditions. Now there is a renewal to the body of Christ. Yahweh has saved 65 babies during this campaign that we were able to count. Only He knows just how many were saved. So to Yahweh and His son Jesus be given all the glory and the honor that is due.


DURANGO, COLORADO:

About 225 people joined us at the site. Praying from 8am to 8pm = 480 hours of prayer. About 23 churches got involved. The most important thing that 40 Days has done is to SAVE a Life. On the first Wednesday, while three women prayed, one gray Jeep Cherokee drove in to Planned Parenthood. A young woman was driving. She sat in her car in front of PP, the escort walked up to her car and then stopped. The woman put her head down and just sat there. She would look up at the building and then look down. She did this for about 15 minutes. The women prayed hard for her to change her mind. When they finished their prayer the young woman started up her car and drove away. She paused in the driveway to smile at the women praying. I can only wonder 9 months from now when that mother looks at her little baby and smiles will she also think of the smile she gave the women praying for her. Its all worth it -- just for that one life.


SEATTLE, WASHINGTON:

We've seen greater unity and growth within the local pro-life community. Many have told us their hearts where moved by our presence. Bridges are being built between communities that have never communicated before for the purpose of building the greater pro-life community!


BUFFALO, NEW YORK:

Our biggest blessing has been the 300 plus people who came out to the clinic to pray, the relationships that have formed and the dozens of babies who were saved, those we know about and those we don't. Our last night we were finally able to go round the clock... that was hard! Every day was a new lesson. It was exciting that Father Pavone and Randall Terry both came to our vigil. It was fantastic for me to do this for my first Pro-life activity. (Really) The national team was indispensable and I always felt like I could do anything with their help.


SALEM/KEIZER, OREGON:

The best things that happened at 40 Days for Life were:

* A woman who had been forced to have 2 abortions as a teen by her parents who kept placing her in the hands of a rapist, came to our site by accident looking for a beauty parlor and found healing through the prayers of the vigil volunteers

* We also had two articles in two different newspapers one Catholic and one secular

* We had our Bishop come pray and 50 lay people showed up to join with him in prayer at the Planned Parenthood site in Salem.

* We are still small in numbers, but big in hope and faith.

* We had a closing Mass on Sunday and a Jericho walk.


NORWICH, CONNECTICUT:

The greatest blessings were the documented save of a baby and woman, the women who have personally told me they will be returning to the Sacraments or felt a new found freedom after hearing my witness (all due to the Holy Spirit's promptings), the priests that allowed me to speak every weekend at the Masses during the 40 days, the hundreds of prayer vigil participants that prayed outside Planned Parenthood with us over the past 40 days -- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (amazing!), the many newcomers to pro-life ministry that have never participated in a prayer vigil like this before, the movie Bella coming to southeast CT during the 40 days that touched many lives, and the women who put their testimonies in writing for the first time.

We have much to be thankful for and will continue the good fight on the Thursdays and Saturdays that PP performs abortions on an ongoing basis. We'd also like to move the 40 days effort to other dioceses in CT. With God's guidance and future blessings, more will unfold. We pray we do HIS will here in CT!!!


COLUMBUS, OHIO:

Greater unity and exchange with some people of various churches. I think another blessing is that despite weakened people from the sacrifices of prayer and fasting, people are encouraged by this heroic effort because it helps assure us that the beginning of the turning point is probably really at hand.


AMARILLO, TEXAS:

The biggest blessing for us is simply this... The people who never joined us on the sidewalk for prayers once a week on Saturday mornings, are:

NOW -- joining us everyday! They want to know why we have to stop at 40 days! It has been an event of a life time because ...

NOW -- they understand what we've been telling them all along for years.

NOW -- they want to help save lives,

NOW -- they are thinking of creative ways to help the mothers experiencing an unplanned pregnancy.

NOW -- they are coming forward to talk about how abortion touched their lives.

This 40 days campaign has brought healing to us in ways I never imagined. I know in my heart we not only helped heal each other but others who saw us on the sidewalk too! God is so good! Praise His Holy Name!


TOLEDO, OHIO:

Blessings...how do you qualify them? To have the opportunity to use my skills to serve the Lord; meeting so many other like-minded people; being able to evangelize to others not only about the abortion issue but about God as well. Those are some personal blessings.

For our 40 Days in general, knowing that at least 3 women chose life for their babies; having over 300 people participate in our prayer outside the abortion center -- many for the first time; friendships formed and a spirit of hope renewed within the pro-life movement; just holding a 40 Days for Life in Toledo when so many said it couldn't be done -- these we would count among our biggest blessings.


CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA:

One of the key victories of the 40 days for Life in Charlotte occurred throughout the day today and continued through 12:01 am, the 40th day. There were more new people that came out to pray today than any other day throughout the vigil. Mostly young people, they came from different denominations, backgrounds, and ministries yet they all had one common goal -- to pray to the Lord for an end to abortion. Our hope had been for many to flood the grounds today.

About 2:00pm they began to come until finally at 11:30 pm the grounds were covered. As we all sang and prayed the Lord's Prayer in a circle holding hands, we remembered our prayer as leaders for the Charlotte vigil: "Unity and Harmony." Early this morning, as the 40th day began, this was answered. We stand in awe of what the Lord accomplished during this 40 days in Charlotte, North Carolina.


WILMINGTON, DELAWARE:

Just received news of another save at the clinic yesterday (Saturday) a.m. -- a Hispanic couple "parked their car, talked, and left," telling the vigil keepers they had decided to keep their baby. Another Hispanic couple decided to keep their baby after receiving materials in Spanish. Who knows how many other babies and mothers were spared the tragedy of abortion during these 40 days? The many people who faithfully prayed outside the clinic in fair and foul weather was a testament to the grace of God touching so many people's hearts.


GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA:

150 people participated in our ending Candlelight Vigil. At least 5 women did not go through with an abortion. We had people that stopped by talking about their past experience with abortion. They talked about how they regret their choice. Two abortion workers expressed interest in finding another job and a doctor at our local hospital said he would look at their resumes. Our community is rallied and committed to continuing until the doors of our abortion clinic are closed. We who prayed outside the abortion clinic have been forever changed. God be praised.


WEST CHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA:

Our blessings include: two known babies saved, plus over 300 people who came out to pray at Planned Parenthood -- many for the first time and for some it was the first pro-life activity they ever did. But I was most amazed at the number of people who just came with out actually committing to a schedule.


EVERETT, WASHINGTON:

In the very first week of our campaign, we saw 3 women turn from having an abortion, and the first one happened within the first 2 Planned Parenthood business hours on the first day of the campaign! These were the only known turnarounds, but we believe this was God's way of showing us that His hand was on this campaign so that we would have the encouragement needed to endure the rest of the campaign, even when we couldn't see the impact we were having.

God also gave us plenty of opportunities to share our faith and directly refer women to pregnancy help resources and post abortion counseling. The best blessing of all is the transformation that is taking place within the hearts of the 40 Days for Life participants, a renewed commitment to ending abortion, and all of the new people God has brought together, who are not going to stop until we end abortion. We plan to continue to hold vigil, train new sidewalk counselors, and help out our local pregnancy centers to be able to meet the needs of women troubled with their pregnancies.

We believe that we are on the verge of uniting several pro-life ministries (some existing, some new) to work hand in hand. We believe this has been orchestrated by God, and 40 Days for Life was the key to unlocking the door to what God has in store for Everett, WA.


AKRON, OHIO:

40 Days for Life was exactly the kick-start that our community needed to get motivated to pray at the abortion clinics. Many more people are now involved and do not want to stop with day 40! At our closing rally, attendees signed up to pray at least one hour per month. And to our great joy and encouragement, there were at least 2 lives saved that we know of. Praise God!


Half-Way Success Stories: 

RENO/TAHOE, NEVADA:

Our community has a history of being extremely strongly “pro-choice,” with those who have come forward as Pro-Life suffering the consequences. It may seem a small step, but we have people who are for the first time putting Pro-Life bumper stickers on the cars and lawn signs in front of their homes. It’s small, but for our community, it’s a start. Also, we’ve brought together people willing to be known as Pro-Life whom I hope to tap into during the coming year, as I plan to bring a Sidewalk Counselors Workshop and training on how to start a Pro-Life conversation.

NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK:

On Saturday night, Father Pavone said Mass to a packed church and blessed a newly identified statue at the shrine in honor of the holy innocents. His presence and life prayers and homily were electric! He also visited the Summit Life Pregnancy Care Center and was the keynote speaker for the first annual benefit banquet for over 300 participants that evening, in addition to in-service programs, prayer vigils and a Sunday afternoon “Pizza with Pavone” gathering that allowed over 700 young people to see and hear his life messages. The impact for “life” in our community is certainly being seen. The peaceful prayer vigils are bringing people out to pray who had not come out during protests!


ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA:

Some Hispanic ladies began coming recently to the abortion site in Asheville. On Saturday, one of them spoke in Spanish to two Hispanic people, a man and a young woman, who were going into the abortion building. A while later, the two people came out to the sidewalk, and the young woman hugged the pro-life Hispanic woman. The young woman, a girl of the age of 15, had changed her mind and decided to let her baby live. The man was her father. We got her telephone number and will follow up to get her started on doctor appointments. Our volunteers said that they will try to organize a baby shower for her.


CHICAGO, ILLINOIS:

The Chicago Planned Parenthood happens to be in an area where we lack active pro-lifers. Most of our volunteers had to travel on average 10 “city” miles from their homes. Our main victory, so far, is filling all the days, even if for only a few hours during the morning rush for abortions. We still have 5 days to fill, but we know that with the grace of God — and our key team of volunteers — we will be able to get it done. The icing on the cake is that 4 out of the 40 Days for Life were captained by Catholic Priests. Praise God for them! The cherry on the top is that we have a “Youth for Truth” youth rally at the abortion clinic this Sunday. This is a first for youth in the Archdiocese of Chicago, so we need prayers that this will be a success.


TUCSON, ARIZONA:

We started our Kickoff with a small, but passionate group. Then we gave out packets, expressed importance of keeping the Vigil sacred, loving, and peaceful. Since that small start, we have gained momentum, with a crowd of around 75 last Saturday, a huge group for the Tucson community. Last Friday, the private clinic was not doing any business and the doctor’s car was nowhere in sight — a rarity for a Friday! Then this past Saturday, we observed only one couple driving through the main access street to Planned Parenthood, also a rarity. This movement has brought many new volunteers, who are thrilled at the feelings they experience when a woman leaves the abortuary before the abortionists had sufficient time to perform their evil on her baby. We believe these can be identified as “saves,” and our newcomers are delighted and singing praises to God when that happens. It is not a daily scene, but it has certainly increased tenfold since we began this Vigil. Tucson is very grateful for the training and leadership we received to help us get the job done in a new way.


QUEENS, NEW YORK:

In Jackson Heights, Queens a couple of turnarounds; also one woman who was going to one of the abortion mills for some kind of “medical service” (non abortive) changed her mind about going there, so they lost a client. I would say that the community is waking up to what is going on under their eyes.


CATONSVILLE, MARYLAND:

While I was praying yesterday two things of significance happened:

1. A man motioned to me to come over to him in the parking lot. He asked me what right I had to be there holding my sign (”A pregnant woman deserves support, not abortion”). I told him I’m an American in America and it’s a public sidewalk, and I told him that babies are being killed inside that building. He said, “I know; three of my children were killed there and I feel bad about it.”

I was speechless at first, but then I said, “I’m sorry. That’s tough.” He said the signs make people feel bad, and he thinks women should be able to choose to have an abortion. I said that if women didn’t have the option to kill their unborn children, he probably wouldn’t have lost his three children to abortion. He said I had a good point. Then his ride drove up, and the driver said, “God bless you for being here! Keep it up!” and the man said, “I have to go.” I shook his hand and said, “God bless you, man, God bless you.”

2. Less than five minutes later I got a phone call from someone who wanted to meet with me. I asked him to come up to the abortion facility, and he said he’d meet me in the back in five minutes. When I went around back to meet him, he had a key to a door less than 10 feet from the door to the abortion facility. He opened the door and led me in. It was an office for a real estate lawyer. We walked through the office, turned a corner, turned another corner and went through a hanging sheet and ended up in a prayer room, complete with paintings, musical instruments, incense, and more! I was in shock.

The man said they’ve been praying here for two years. They’ve kept it quiet, inviting only young adults from a nearby prayer group to come in and pray. He said that it started off big, but has kind of dwindled recently. Then 40 Days for Life came to town and caused them to think. He and his partner believe the Spirit is moving them to something new, and they wanted to include me in the plans. The prayer warriors from the inside of the building are joining forces with the prayer warriors from the outside of the building, and we’re sure that amazing things are going to happen!

I can’t give any details on the plans yet, but I think we’re beginning a new chapter in our fight against abortion in Catonsville. The symbolic nature of this particular abortion facility is key; while not a Planned Parenthood facility, this place has been in business here since 1973. The building is on a hill, and the facility is on the 6th floor of a 7-floor building, which is the tallest building around. If we can stop the abortions from happening there, I believe it will have a domino effect throughout the area.


EL PASO, TEXAS:

We are able to confirm 12 babies lives saved. Also, the lives of their parents were impacted. We are excited and hoping that our LORD will continue to raise up active pro-lifers. Not only have babies been saved but our own spiritual blindness has been lifted.


MARTIN COUNTY, FLORIDA:

Our first 20 days have been very fulfilling. We started out not knowing what I was doing. It then started to build through the grace of God. We now have our Sidewalk Warriors at every hour that Planned Parenthood is open in Stuart, FL. The Bishop came out last Friday. We have a very diverse group. I could write volumes but I will leave you with this story. A young man and girl came up to me with tears in their eyes (They looked 16 or 17). They described how they had decided to abort their 5 month pregnancy. They saw our signs (one with a pregnancy care center and number.) They went and had a ultrasound and discovered that it was a girl. They decided at that time to keep the baby. They wanted us to know, and their words were, “Thanks for being here.”


MADISON, WISCONSIN:

Many people choose to ignore what happens inside abortion facilities; 40 Days for Life has given us and others around us the opportunity to wake up and see the reality of what abortion is doing to our community. It has been a way to really rekindle pro-life passions in individuals and our community. But of course the greatest victory is doing the most Holy Will of our Father, regardless of any ’success’ we might see — as Blessed Mother Teresa says “we are not called to be successful we are called to be faithful.”


SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA:

Our total hours prayed at Special Events for first half of the campaign were 110 prayer hours and 210 prayer hours at the Planned Parenthood vigil site. One Church Offered its Living Rosary for an end to abortion. I believe there may have been two women who changed their mind about scheduling an abortion or taking “the morning after pill,” and after 2 weeks Planned Parenthood started to bring clients in through the back door so we must be having some effect.


MORRISTOWN, NEW JERSEY:

In 20 days, we’ve grown to 8 vigil sites in 6 counties, and expect to keep on adding two or three more each week. Several saves have been reported from two of our sites where traffic is sufficient to permit that, and the human interest stories abound. One Mom with two kids age 11 and 4 coordinates one of our sites and the children are living witnesses to life, the elder cheerfully handing out literature to people arriving for abortions and turning some of them around.

Another site was manned by a loner who persisted for three long years before being joined by a local doctor, and the group now numbers 8 to 10 faithful witnesses for life. Among the first signs that we are breaking through were two young priests joining one of our vigils. At still another church, 400+ people signed up for 24/7 Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament the weekend after we began a Walk for Life from the church to Planned Parenthood every Wednesday. Earlier, they had difficulty getting enough people for one day a week. What a blessing!


WACO, TEXAS:

The 40 Days for Life campaign has doubled the number of individuals participating in pro-life activities. We have six entire families signed up for the prayer vigil. One family, involved in a ministry with incarcerated youth, has the young men saying a daily prayer for life. Another deacon, working in a women’s’ state jail, has at least 65 women praying the rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy to end abortion.


TRI-CITY, MICHIGAN:

One seasoned pro life advocated has been praying on site at our local abortion mill for many years. Last Saturday, Oct. 13th, Dave said he has heard of more “saves” in the last few days than in the last 6 months combined. He was also appreciative of all the support the 40 Days campaign has brought. For the first time since the campaign began one of our local priest and five seminarians were present to pray with us at the abortion mill. Father said they will be back.


ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN:

It is difficult to begin to describe the success stories that continue to happen at our 40 Days vigil. We are so grateful to our Lord for the babies he has saved, the women who are healing, and the brothers and sisters in Christ that continue to pour out to the vigil. One of my favorite newcomers is Juliette. She has spent an average of 15 hours a weekend out at the vigil. But that’s not the amazing part. She the mother of 7 young children. But wait, that’s not all. She’s also 4 months pregnant. Plus, when she’s not at the vigil, she often sends her husband out. 40 Days has really renewed her faith and I can see Christ alive in her. I would have gone through everything just to have one Juliette. But God has graced us with MANY Juliette’s. Also, another victory is the renewed efforts of shutting Planned Parenthood down in Ann Arbor.


PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND:

In Providence, the tide is turning. Support for the unborn and their families, by way of prayer commitments, simple blessings, and passers-by who take the trouble to tell us that they appreciate greatly the peaceful, prayerful manner of this campaign, regardless of their convictions regarding abortion at this time, are on the increase! Planned Parenthood’s irritation over people daring to pray for an end to abortion also grows daily. Blessed be God!

This campaign is advertising itself by the simple sign of prayer. People are waking up to God! They are beginning to talk to one another and to us about life. I do not doubt that the Lord chose a “David & Goliath” message for Rhode Island by design. After all, the “Independent Man” stands atop our State House! In Rhode Island, our waking up is the beginning of the end of abortion! I DO believe that the Lord will change our hearts this year!!!


LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK:

The most notable accomplishment is two possible “baby saves.” Our increased vigil presence has given local residents more opportunities to converse with us. The daily hours spent in the community has clarified the bridges we need to build between the pro-life community and local residents who have, for various reasons, been co-opted by Planned Parenthood.


COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA:

1. At various sites it has brought together people of faith united in a common cause; 2. Several women and men have changed their minds about abortion; 3. New faces have appeared in the pro-life work; 4. Despite some minor conflicts internal and external, the campaign continues to march on in holiness and fervor.


NEW YORK, NEW YORK:

We have discovered that with only a handful of people, and few churches participating with us, you can still make great strides to promote and save life. We have been very blessed with up to 23 Sisters of life on the streets with us in prayer. We have continued to turn around on average 2 or 3 moms from a certain abortion per day, mostly in the South Bronx.

Three former abortion clinic workers, discovered us on the sidewalks (1 in the Bronx, 2 in Queens) and expressed deep regrets for their past misdeeds and two will be joining us in our work for Life. We have been able to bring out a brand new batch of ministers, and lay people, mostly new immigrants, mostly Hispanics, especially in Queens, and signed up hundreds for future outreach and sidewalk counseling.


FREDERICK, MARYLAND:

The abortion site in Frederick is fairly well hidden in a medical center on a generally little traveled street. We are now covering the three times a week that abortions are done, and are increasing our presence on other days. I personally was involved in conversations with two people. The signs we held said “Women need support, not abortion.” An apparently pro-choice woman parked her car and asked us where someone could get help for a crisis pregnancy. We gave her information and the names of two pro-life support groups. We will have a public outreach on a main street near the abortion site this weekend.


FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA:

So many things are happening that are simply beyond anything we ever comprehended. On this day 20 of the campaign, we are standing back and looking at the miracles God is conducting in our midst. Not only have babies been saved, not only is the body of Christ responding time and time again, not only are WE being changed BUT God is bringing people to us off the streets that need ministering.

Some of our people are going out every single day and every single night. We are ministering not only to the abortion-minded individuals but to many of the walking wounded that need to share their story. We had no surgical abortions this past week in Fargo that we know of. Glory to God! Also, we continue to see people from across the entire state of ND coming to the Vigil in Fargo.


GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA:

We talked to one woman who changed her mind and chose life for herself and for her child. We talk to the abortionist and workers and are praying to get them new jobs and pray they talk to a former abortionist about getting out. Our community is growing in love with our God and with each other and in our commitment to serve our neighbors.


SARASOTA, FLORIDA:

Hundreds of people from Sarasota, Manatee, and surrounding counties already have participated in the quiet daily vigil, praying silently for an end to abortion in front of the Planned Parenthood facility. One person plans to spend time praying every day this coming week outside Planned Parenthood. He’s Bob, a periodic visitor on vacation, all the way from Cincinnati. If visitors do it, certainly we can. Babies are being saved from abortion and people are being educated by pro-lifers as a result of the prayer and the work of sidewalk counselors.


COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS:

There have been over 500 people come out to pray in the 1st 20 days of the campaign, with 132 at the kick off rally, over 70 at a praise & worship session, and the latest — over 170 people at a Rosary rally on Oct. 13. Volunteers stay out there rain or shine, many over 4 hours every week. People come to our office everyday to pick up yard signs, wristbands and t-shirts. We’ve had numerous of women call our office asking for alternatives to Planned Parenthood because of the prayer presence. The amount of new people getting involved has been amazing! We’ve also had a lot of people already wanting to go out and pray after 40 days for Life is over. God is amazing!


HAMILTON, NEW JERSEY:

The 40 Days For Life Campaign has helped move hundreds of pro-lifers from the “sidelines” into the “field of play.” This has certainly been the largest mobilization of pro-life “prayer warriors” in recent memory.


GRAND CHUTE, WISCONSIN:

The Vigil is going well considering that we were three weeks late in starting our preparation. As of Friday, October 12, we have had over 120 persons participate in the 40 Days For Life vigil. The Grand Chute Planned Parenthood facility has not done abortions since early last summer. Praise the Lord! Our Vigil is concentrating on causing that temporary closure to be permanent.


AKRON, OHIO:

We’ve gotten many more people involved and pumped up about praying at the clinics. The clinics have certainly noticed and responded by calling in escorts. So now our prayer witnesses feel even more engaged in the battle!


SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA:

We are creating public awareness that abortions are being performed at our Planned Parenthood clinic in Sioux Falls. Many people in South Dakota are not aware of Planned Parenthood’s role. Also on our second Saturday morning after the start of the 40 days we had several new ladies join us that were post-abortive. Every time we can help another post-abortive woman heal it makes my heart happy. A huge victory: 95% of the pro-life leaders in SD this weekend voted to start a new ballot initiative to end abortion in South Dakota. With 200,000 votes we can have victory which is very possible with an effective ground war. This will be like the shot heard around the world. Every participant in the 40 Days for Life needs to be praying for SD as we once again take on PP and their big money machine.


DALLAS, TEXAS:

River of prayer going forward from all over nation — ministering to God’s Heart; incredible Opening Rally at which even the police were blessed; children saved from abortion — from the second day on; many others ministered to on-site; multitudes ministered to in churches as we brought this “issue” to the forefront via this instrument (40 Days for Life); multitudes experiencing on-site ministry at abortion clinic for the first time. Churches are advertising the 40 Days for Life in their bulletins and announcing it from the pulpits like nothing I have ever seen or heard before. People are either praying inside their church, at home or at the abortion center on their assigned day of prayer. And there have been five days of 100 or more pray-ers at the abortion center in Dallas.


PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA:

I personally have ministered to two post-abortive fathers and two other post-abortive women. We believe there have been saves