40 Days for Life - spreading the pro-life message
Brian Jenkins.
By Brian Jenkins (Quebec Life Coalition)
Many blessings are being received at this fall’s prayer vigil for the end of abortion in Sherbrooke.
Since the vigil began this past Wednesday, September 25, a small yet devoted group of men and women have been maintaining a prayerful presence in this Eastern Township community, near the abortion facility located on Belvedere Street on the southern side of the city.
Particularly meritorious is the outreach that is being done. Outside the abortion facility’s operating hours, volunteers frequently gather a five-minute walk away at the busy intersection of Belvedere and Galt Streets to carry the pro-life message to the rush-hour commuters and weekend shoppers, and they are doing so with remarkable success.
For example, on one evening while in discussion with a local itinerant, I was approached by a young man who seemed genuinely sincere to understand how I can encourage others to pray for the end of abortion. (These are the words inscribed upon the sign that hangs around my neck.)
Read moreA Mother’s Love
By Brian Jenkins (Quebec Life Coalition) – Photo: goodluz/Adobe Stock
Sherbrooke – I've travelled to this eastern township community to bring the pro-life message for the next forty-days.
This is my fourth foray, having first come here in the fall of 2020 and every fall since and always for forty days.
The principal reason for coming to Sherbrooke is to coordinate the 40-day prayer vigil for the end of abortion. This is a twelve-hour daily activity, from 7am to 7pm, for forty consecutive days. While praying and offering love and support to abortion-bound mothers near one of the two local abortion facilities, those who accompany me also offer an educational facet to men and women who stop to exchange with us on the topic of abortion.
In addition, I have gathered locals over the past years to form Life Chains. This is a one-hour activity held on the first Sunday of October every year, from 2pm to 3pm. The next Life Chain is set for Sunday, October 6, 2024, and so far, 21 separate chains are getting ready to voice support in the public right of way in the province for the protection of unborn life.
Read moreThe 40 Days for Life in Sherbrooke
By Joanne of Arc for Quebec Life Coalition - Photo: Joanne of Arc
This fall, hundreds of communities across North America and several Canadian cities simultaneously organized a 40 Days for Life campaign from September 28 to November 6, 2022.
The 40 Days for Life is a focused pro-life effort that consists of:
- 40 days of prayer and fasting to end abortion
- 40 days of peaceful vigil
- 40 days of community awareness
I was present in Sherbrooke on the 31st day to report on this event. Brian Jenkins, who is the leader of the team, was on place to give me a warm welcome. This man spends 12 hours a day outside, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. during the 40 days, as an advocate for life. He takes a break at noon, during which Mr. Gerard replaces him, for the entire length of the 40-day vigil. The vigil participants vary from day to day, but Brian and Gerard are present daily.
By law, Brian and the other participants must not be within 50 meters of a facility where abortions take place, in this case the CLSC Belvédère (Local Community Services Center). So far, there have been no counter-demonstrators, whereas last year a pro-choice group of 100 people gathered against 3-4 people who were doing the vigil. Gerard shares with me that the Sherbrooke police supported the vigil participants last year, and since then they have been supported by the Sherbrooke authorities. Brian has a working relationship with the police of Sherbrooke and can count on them for their help to maintain their safety.
CLSC Belvédère in Sherbrooke - Photo: Joanne of Arc
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