In 1989, Maureen and Ted Flynn, parishioners of St. Joseph Church in Herndon, had a very simple idea: Gather people together to pray and fast for the end of abortion. But there was a problem.
“No one wanted to talk about prayer and fasting in the beginning,” said Maureen. “It was like pulling teeth, but not anymore. There has been a change of heart.”
Over the years, this grassroots effort has grown from the steps of the U.S. Capitol to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington in 1997 with hundreds in attendance.
According to the Flynns, it took off internationally around that time. People would reach out to them from as far as Europe, Saudi Arabia, India and the Philippines. Those who could not travel would pledge to pray with them on the organization’s website, iwopf.org. They began to record the talks during the COVID-19 pandemic and have continued the practice since.
This year marks the 32nd International Week of Prayer and Fasting and the first time the Day of Prayer event has taken place in the Arlington diocese. Father Thomas P. Vander Woude, pastor of St. Mary of Sorrows Church in Fairfax, was happy to host the event at the parish, having known the Flynns and their work for many years.
“It’s a very pious event, with a focus on spiritual healing and prayer, which is why I was open to it,” said Father Vander Woude.
The venue change was due to a scheduling conflict. While they miss the basilica, they believe everything happens for a reason. Organizers were pleased to find an opening at St. Mary of Sorrows, especially on the feast day of Blessed Carlo Acutis.
“Our devotion is built on two pillars, the Eucharist and Our Lady,” said Maureen. “Blessed Carlo Acutis took the eucharistic miracles and made them digital. The way he did it was on another level, and he also did it with the Marian apparitions. For such a short life it was very full.”
Thanks to the Legion of Mary, attendees were able to venerate his relic along with a relic of St. Padre Pio. Speaker Eric Welter also brought a relic of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos.
The daylong program began at 9 a.m. with Mass celebrated by Bishop Emeritus Robert J. Baker, who recounted an experience he had with a young inmate in prison ministry.
“Not one person is beyond the power of redemption; not one person is meant to be lost to the Lord,” said Bishop Baker. “The Lord wants us never to give up on anyone. He wants us to help them through a life of prayer and to encourage them to live according to his will, which is not easy.”
Mass was followed by the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and the rosary led by the Hispanic community. Welter, a parishioner of St. John the Apostle Church in Leesburg, spoke about the power of prayer and the work of the Holy Spirit. Father Dan Leary, a priest from the Archdiocese of Washington, encouraged participants to not focus on the darkness in life but on the light.
After a eucharistic procession from the church to St. Joseph Hall, participants enjoyed a light lunch and book signings from speakers such as Dr. Seggy Yanez Acosta, a Catholic stress and pain specialist from Manassas; Dan and Stephanie Burke, co-hosts of the Divine Intimacy Radio show on EWTN Radio and servant leaders of the Avila Foundation. The final speaker was filmmaker and producer Jim Wahlberg, whose life was changed after an encounter with Mother Teresa of Kolkata while he was in jail. He spoke about, “Nothing is too big for God.”
Iris Ryan, a mother of five and parishioner of St. Mary of Sorrows, decided to attend when she saw it was taking place at her parish on the feast of Blessed Carlo Acutis.
“I was looking for something to do for the feast day because of the struggles with technology,” said Ryan. “I have five kids and it’s a bigger battle for parents to bring our children up in the faith when it’s right in your home in all your rooms. I was specifically looking for a prayer to say before you hop on technology.”
Bonnie Marcil attended after seeing the event posted on Facebook.
“I live in Florida, but I am up here visiting my grandkids. I saw the location was so close. It was like a mini pilgrimage. I love it and the speakers have been very impressive.”
The International Week of Prayer and Fasting continues virtually through Oct. 20 with nine virtual speakers, daily recitation of the rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. According to organizers, more than 1,000 people registered to watch the program via livestream. The organization made an all-access bundle available for a fee that includes all the talks from this year and last year.
Kassock is a freelance writer in Fredericksburg.
