40 Days for Life

The 40 Days for Life Campaign kicks off nationwide on Sept. 25 and will continue until Nov. 3. Done locally through prayer and community outreach, the peaceful all-day vigils - full of prayer and fasting - are held in front of abortion clinics.

Within the Albany Diocese, five locations will be participating in the campaign: Albany, Hudson, Schenectady, Troy, and Queensbury. Bordering the Albany Diocese, Utica will be participating, as well.

After two years, the campaign comes back to Queensbury this fall. According to parishioner John O’Brien, the movement gained the most momentum within the community after others grew inspired from the movie “Unplanned” and the passage of the Reproductive Health Act.

O'Brien says the campaign has always been a prayerful and peaceful experience and encourages those who would like to help put an end to abortion to come out and see for themselves.

“We pray for moms, for dads that are dealing with an unplanned pregnancy … quiet, prayerful witnesses to show there are people who care, never any judgment, just, how can we help?” O’Brien said.

For Vivian Strain - a parishioner of St. Mary’s at Ballston Spa who’s been participating in 40 Days for the last 10 years - believes participating in 40 Days for Life is “doing God’s work or will.”

“I’m the last person a woman sees before she goes through with it, so I’m (doing the work of Christ) to change her mind,” Strain said, “and I’m also there for her if she does go through with it.”

Oftentimes, Strain said, those who have gotten an abortion, speak with members praying across the street. Sometimes they find themselves joining the vigils, as they help them heal and prevent others from making the same mistake, added Strain.

“We have a lot of healing going on there (because they) never had a chance to discuss their sorrow. Society says it’s not something you have to mourn. It’s almost like a therapy session on the sidewalks, we have the Holy Spirit to give to them,” Strain said.

Just to attend and pray is enough, Strain said.

For those who can’t stand, they’re encouraged to bring a chair to sit on the sidewalk. When it comes to fasting, Strain warns it should be something meaningful to you, like a cup of coffee or breakfast, but nothing that will physically hurt you.

“I’m just doing what God is asking me to do,” Strain said, “I think it’s everybody's call now, to be present.” 

Resources for those in the Albany Diocese: www.rcda.org/40days

To find a campaign near you: www.40daysforlife.com/vigil-search.aspx

Updates and news: www.facebook.com/RCDARespectLife; https://twitter.com/RCDALife