Sofia Infante, Communications Intern

[Director's note: 40 Days began as a religious campaign, and we invite all of our religious members to join on that basis. But the act of abortion is a human rights issue, not a religious one. Many of our secular advocates also participate, and we encourage everyone and anyone to follow their passionate example of outreach and vigil, with or without prayer, during a 40 Days Campaign.]

This year I am looking forward to participating in my first 40 Days for Life, and am grateful MCFL has sponsored the campaign in Massachusetts.

This mission-based campaign reaches women-in-need at ground-zero, and directs people’s attention to the impact of abortion in their own communities. The 40-day campaign, including vigils and witness at an abortuary, highlight the need and offer a life-affirming solution. Here are five reasons why I am already counting down the days until next year’s 40 Days for Life:

• 40 Days fosters a greater sense of community and a shared feeling of responsibility for our neighbor’s well-being

By Rita Russo, Coordinator of 40 Days for Life campaign, Boston

Our third Friday night Candlelight Vigil will be on March 2 and led by Fr. Jurgen Liias and the seminarians from Pope St. John XXIII Seminary.

We are looking for 40 parishes to Witness for Life this Lent, one for each day of the campaign. A participating parish signs up to dedicate a particular daily Mass and Eucharistic adoration at the parish. All-day adoration would be great or a Holy Hour, if that’s what you can do.

We invite those who are able to come to the Vigil location, outside Planned Parenthood, 1055 Commonwealth Ave, Boston. Learn more by visiting 40daysforlife.com/boston.

Things are going will in our Witness for Life Initiative. I received this lovely email yesterday from Sister Carmen Christi of the Daughters of St. Paul:

Dear Rita,

Count all our community, 70 strong, united in prayer for the 40 Days for Life Campaign, with special prayers throughout this day of Eucharistic Adoration.

God bless you. 

Here is the current list of participating parishes: