This year’s 40 Days for Life campaign begins on Sept. 24 through Nov. 2, and is a peaceful approach to access God’s power through prayer, fasting and peaceful vigil to end abortion.
The symbolism of the 40 days, traces its roots to the Bible, where God used 40-day periods to transform people and communities for the better.
The pro-life campaign that typically kicks off in the fall, was first started in 2004 by a group of like-minded Catholics and Protestants at Bryan-College Station in Texas. Since then, more than 625,000 volunteers have participated in the campaign organized in cities throughout the U.S. and in 24 other nations.
The mission of the campaign is designed to draw attention to God’s plan to end abortion through prayer and fasting, peaceful vigil and community outreach.
The Diocese of St. Augustine will host two 40-day peaceful vigils. In Jacksonville, volunteers are asked to participate in the vigil from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Monday – Friday), at A Woman’s Choice of Jacksonville, 4131 University Blvd. South, 32216.
And in Gainesville, volunteers will hold a vigil from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Monday – Saturday) at Bread & Roses Women’s Health Center, 1233 N.W. 10th Ave., 32609.
The results speak for themselves – with the grace of God and the work of many volunteers, 8,973 babies were spared from abortion, 101 abortion worker conversions took place and 56 centers were closed.
For more information about the Jacksonville 40 Days for Life Campaign, contact Joan Pano, (904) 382-2619 or 40daysforlifejax@gmail.com or www.40daysforlife.com/jacksonville.
For more information about the Gainesville 40 Days for Life Campaign, contact Lily Swarts at, respectlife@catholicgators.org or www.40daysforlife.com/Gainesville.com.