By Brian Jenkins (Quebec Life Coalition)

One day this past week, I had three exchanges, albeit of short duration, all with ladies.

Visitor no. 1 – an elderly woman of about 65 years of age, stops in front of me and reads the sign I have hung around my neck before crossing the road. After a moment I asked her: “What do you think about abortion?” To my surprise, she replied: “What do YOU think about abortion?” I talked about the importance of respecting life from conception to a natural death, and she agreed. A few more words were exchanged and then she left.

Visitor no. 2 – a younger woman with a French accent got off the bus and waited for the light to change so she could cross. She gave me a contemptuous sideways glance and muttered: “Haven't you got anything better to do?” I replied: “What do you think about abortion?” to which she rudely replied, “Allez vous faire foutre !” and walked away.

The third lady, about the same age, who had also got off the same bus, overheard my exchange with the second lady and looked at me sympathetically. I said to her: “It happens every now and then.” To which she replied, “I think you are brave.”

By Brian Jenkins (Quebec Life Coalition) - Photo: Augustin Hamilton

As usual, I arrived at the vigil site at around 7h30. No sooner had I arrived than a first visitor arrived. Laurence is homeless and currently sleeping in one of Montreal's shelters for the homeless. She described it as very rough, with limited services. She said that the rules are not being enforced, and that men and women weren't respecting the zones set aside for them respectively. Some of her belongings have gone missing, and although meals are prepared, she believes she has had a bout of diarrhea as a result. She does not feel safe. She wants to get out. I offered her bottled water and a few dollars, and she left to find a better shelter. Jasper arrived soon after. He took over from me the care of the vigil this past September when I had left to do one in Sherbrooke. Since my return, he has taken a break and this morning he is going to meet a friend at a local café. Then my prayer partner, Caterina arrived. We began our prayers, and during which I realized that I had not seen any of the familiar faces that I associate with the abortion centre. As we prayed, Caterina and I were interrupted by a loud and angry middle-aged woman. We first noticed her standing on the curb taking a picture of us with her mobile phone. Dear reader, be aware that there is a certain notoriety to being on the sidewalks of Montreal defending life. Before continuing on her way, this woman made a few comments about how inappropriate it was to pray for an end to abortion in front of a university. (The abortion facility is located across the street from the university.) She added that by our presence and the signs hung around our necks (“Pray for an end to abortion,” “Pregnant? Worried? 1-855-871-4442 We Can Help You,” and “Choose Life”) were manipulating the students. I attempted a reply but this lady quickly interrupted me, saying that she was not interested in what I had to say and stormed off. Caterina and I caught our breath after this brief encounter and resumed our prayers. Visitors, prayer, and confrontation, today’s vigil was a full one.

Vigil 365 is an activity of the Quebec Life Coalition since February 2020 in which prayer volunteers gather near an abortion facility to pray for an end to abortion. We chose to meet at the intersection of Berri and Ste Catherine streets because there were five abortuaries within a half-kilometre radius from that spot. (One of them has since moved to another location.) The activity takes place daily and lasts either ninety minutes or twelve hours depending on the time of year. Interested people are welcome to participate and can learn more by calling (438) 930-8643.

Un des jumeaux de Daniella.

By Brian Jenkins (Quebec Life Coalition)

Enceinte et Inquiète – This week, Daniella gave birth to her twin. Mother and children are doing well. (see pics)

Photos of Daniella's twin babies.

40 Days for Life – The 40-day prayer vigil for the end of abortion ended this past Sunday, November 3, 2024. Since Wednesday, September 25, 2024, we were present near one of the two abortion facilities in the eastern township community of Sherbrooke. Between five and six prayer volunteers came regularly to witness for life. On the last day, we held a small memorial prayer near the abortion centre for the victims of abortion. We then moved on to a local church for a roundup of the 40-day experience. At this time, we were blessed to have a woman share about her nursing experience of caring for mothers and new borns in the obstetrics unit of a local hospital. She also shared how she complemented her nursing training with a midwife course, learning other techniques that she had been hitherto unaware of, and which helped her further her work at the neonatal unit.

Vigil 365 – I returned to the streets of Montreal this past Monday morning, continuing the Vigil 365 program, being joined by the stalwarts present during my absence – Céline, Junior, and Mary. Of note was an exchange which occurred this morning. While praying with Mary, we were approached by a young man, mid-twenties, whose initially expressed disagreement with the message printed on the sign hanging around my neck: “Pray for the end of abortion.” He defended the need for abortions because, he argued, humans make mistakes and need means to correct these. He added that he had had a sexual encounter which resulted in a pregnancy. He recognized the foolishness of his action and being young man without the means to start a family, the child was aborted. In response, I pointed to the sign worn by Mary indicating support for an unplanned pregnancy. To my surprise, he congratulated us on this initiative and pulled out of his pocket a $5 bill which he promptly gave to me. He then walked away with a young woman who had been accompanying him.

By Brian Jenkins (Quebec Life Coalition) - Picture: L'Odyssée de la Vie/YouTube

Sunday morning, I arrived at the vigil location, my prayer partner Denis awaiting my arrival. We chatted and after making a few prayer intentions began a rosary.

Despite being a Sunday morning, the vigil location, the intersection of Berri and St. Catherine Streets, was not deserted. One group that is drawn to this spot are the rideshare travellers, men and woman who come here to meet drivers that will take them to Ottawa, Quebec City and elsewhere.

Today, one traveller caught my attention. A petite young woman, about twenty-five years old, arrived shortly after I did travel bags in hand. Alone, I was surprised how close she stood or walked around Denis and me. She moved around, at times in front of Denis and I, at other moments, behind us, always maintaining a close distance to us.

No eye contact had yet been made between the young lady and me, not until standing some fifteen feet away, she gestured impolitely with her hand towards me. I took this as a sign of an openness to exchange.

“What do you think about abortion?” I asked. So began an exchange lasting until her driver arrived and she got in and left.

Michael and Barbara, participants of the Vigil 365 - Photo: Joanne of Arc

By Joanne of Arc for Quebec Life Coalition

We hear a lot about the importance of creating good habits for a healthy and balanced life, such as taking a walk, eating well or going to bed at the same time. For most of us, we put a lot of effort into having a better quality of life. But how many people really care about life? I am referring to life at one of its most vulnerable stages: at the moment of conception.

Every morning of the year, a Vigil is held near the Berri-UQAM metro station. It was initiated in February 2020 by its organizer Brian Jenkins. People meet to pray for life and honor the unborn. In this case, it is not just a weekly good habit, but an important discipline in their spiritual lives.

In addition to praying together, the participants of the Vigil are often approached for a discussion. Sometimes, the people that are passing by are open-minded and want to understand what the participants are saying, at other times the discussions are rather difficult or even turn into personal accusations.

I had the opportunity to attend Vigil 365 and observe the interactions that took place during one morning this week. The participants also took a moment to chat with me and explain their motivations.

Michael attends the Vigil because he believes abortion is a grave injustice. He shared this with me: "There are many injustices that take place around the world, but most of them don't happen where I live. So this is something I can and should be involved in where I live. "

As to why the group chose this hectic location to pray, he tells me, "This corner we're on is kind of a contradiction in itself. There is an abortion clinic at the end of this street, around the other corner is UQAM University which is one of the most liberal universities in Montreal, and on the other side is the gay village which promotes promiscuity."

Ironically, there is also the beautiful Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes chapel in front of the UQAM University building, adorned with a golden statue of the Virgin Mary, which is in the center of all this activity.