As the sun rose over a three-story building on Lee Highway in
Falls Church Oct. 24, people with signs, banners and rosaries started
assembling in a quiet line along the sidewalk. Before 8 a.m., there were 40
people praying softly, and just a half hour later the crowd grew to nearly 150
people who came to join Bishop Michael F. Burbidge for a prayerful protest in
front of the Falls Church Healthcare Center, one of the largest abortion
clinics in the area. The gathering was part of a campaign Sept. 23 through Nov.
1 run by 40 Days for Life, an international organization that encourages people
to pray outside abortion clinics.
The group included members of the Knights of Columbus,
parishioners from across the diocese — some who pray at this location weekly —
chancery staff, students from Christendom College in Front Royal, a group of
seminarians from Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., leaders of
pro-life ministry groups and others. Brian Addington, a Baptist who has been
praying outside this clinic for years, said, “I don’t think I have ever seen
this many people turn out; 150 people, that’s an amazing number.”
Kevin Zrenda, a parishioner of St. Veronica Church in Chantilly,
said, “Our pro-life group came here today to pray in support of women under
pressure, not just the child.”
“I know people who have had an abortion and are still healing
from it,” said Patricia Lawless, a parishioner of St. Louis Church in
Alexandria, who said she has been involved in pro-life activities since the
fourth grade when she attended the March for Life for the first time. “It makes
me feel good to see such a good turnout today for a subject that is near and
dear to my heart as a Catholic and as a woman,” she said.
As the event ended, Bishop Burbidge greeted those gathered with
socially distanced elbow bumps, and thanked them for coming. He also blessed
the rosaries of two Christendom students. “Every week we have Shield of Roses,
a group of usually two or three vans of students who pray outside the abortion
clinic,” said Halyna Charba, whose rosary was blessed.
“It was a great day for life in the Diocese of Arlington. It was
a powerful, peaceful and prayerful intercession right in front of where
children’s lives are lost and women’s hearts are broken,” said Amy McInerny,
diocesan Respect Life director.
Find out more
Go to prayforlife.org.
Buy photos from the rosary at catholicherald.smugmug.com.
