DIY Abortions, Make The First Five Saturdays and Fast on Monday

On Wednesday the House of Commons voted to make DIY abortions at home a permanent feature in English law. The Welsh government had already decided to do this in Wales. The Bill to do this will now go back to the House of Lords on Tuesday 5th April, where we are informed that it cannot be defeated as the amendment to allow the continuation of the abortions at home originated in the House of Lords. However, we must remember that all things are possible with God. The DIY abortions that were brought in during the corona virus pandemic have been truly horrendous. More than 10,000 women have needed hospital treatment after their abortion.

Our Lady of Fatima asked all Catholics to practice the Devotion of making the First Five Saturdays. Saturday 2nd April is a first Saturday and would be a good time to start this devotion, if you are not already in the middle of it. This devotion consists of going to Confession (you can go to Confession within 8 days of the first Saturday, which would still fulfil the requirements), receiving Holy Communion, saying the Rosary, and spending 15 minutes separately meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary, and doing all of this in a spirit of reparation for the sins against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Also on Monday 4th April, we are asking you to pray and fast as much as you can, all day in reparation for the votes that have already taken place and calling on God to defeat this Bill in His way. Monday 4th April is the Feast of  Saint Francisco Marto, who was one of the three shepherd children to see Our Lady in Fatima, Portugal in 1917.

It would be good for you to watch or read Natalia’s story of her DIY abortion https://www.marchforlife.co.uk/2021/02/24/my-diy-abortion-natalias-story/

9 Million Babies Lives Lost to abortion since 27th October 1967

The UK Abortion Act was passed in Parliament 53 years ago next Tuesday. Over nine million Babies have been aborted here since then. What will you do next Tuesday? 

You could join in our National Day of Prayer and Fasting for Life on this terrible anniversary. Invite your friends and Family to join us via this Facebook event.

Fast from all food except bread and water for the day

Or

Fast from a particular food or luxury, e.g. chocolate, alcohol, cigarettes, TV.

Fast from whatever you can given your state of health etc, but make sure it is something that involves a sacrifice to yourself.

We are asking people to say a Rosary (or an extra Rosary if you say it daily already).

You could also offer an extra effort such as going to Mass (or an extra Mass) on the day, or going to Adoration. You can even pray before a closed tabernacle if Adoration is not available near you

There are two Good Counsel Peaceful Pro-Life Prayer Vigils outside abortion centres in London that day, one in Ealing and one in Central London, telephone 02077231740 or email info@goodcounselnetwork.com for details and to book to attend. For vigils outside of London see; https://www.40daysforlife.com/vigil-search.aspx 

Wear something Pro-Life on the day and change your profile picture to something Pro-Life for the day, you could use one of these photos;

[You can buy the Blue badge here and the Pink one here]

National Day of Prayer & Fasting for Life

Please join our National Day of Prayer and Fasting for the end of abortion tomorrow, Friday 27th April - the 44th Anniversary of "legal" abortions being performed in England and Wales. See our website for more details, http://www.goodcounselnet.co.uk/Days-of-Prayer-and-Fasting.html

National Day of Prayer & Fasting for Life

And He said to them; This kind (of demon) can go out by nothing but prayer and fasting.

Gospel of Mark 9:29.

Since the 5th July 2008 The Good Counsel Network has organised monthly National days of prayer and fasting for life, the first was to prevent the passing of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill. Although the bill was passed some of the more damaging anti-life amendments were not added to it, including an attack on pro-life counselling and the extension to Northern Ireland of the Abortion Act. There had also been 40 days of Prayer and Fasting in Northern Ireland to ensure that this law was not extended. This only confirmed what we already knew; it is clear from the work that we do at Good Counsel Network, advising women who are strongly set on abortion, that the struggle to end abortion is a spiritual struggle and not merely one of practical concerns or politics.

February 22nd, Ash Wednesday is the next National Day of Prayer and Fasting for Life. Please join us in fasting. You could fast from all food except bread and water for the day or fast from a particular food or luxury, e.g. chocolate, alcohol, cigarettes or tv. Fast from whatever you can given your state of health etc, but make sure that it is something that involves a sacrifice to yourself. We are asking people to say a Rosary (or an extra Rosary if you say it daily already). You could also offer an extra effort such as going to Mass, or an extra Mass, on the day, or going to Adoration.

And the people of Nineveh believed in God; they proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least...God saw their efforts to renounce their evil ways. And God relented about the disaster which He had threatened to bring on them, and He did not bring it. Jonah 3:5,10.

For more information and a printable poster click here.

This Lent come and pray with us at an abortuary, there is our daily vigil in London, 40 Days 4 Life will start on Ash Wednesday in London, in Birmingham, in Brighton and in Manchester. For details of others vigils around the Country see here.

Fast for life Thursday 12th January

And He said to them; This kind (of demon) can go out by nothing but prayer and fasting. Gospel of Mark 9:29.

Since the 5th July 2008 The Good Counsel Network has organised monthly National days of prayer and fasting for life, the first was to prevent the passing of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill. Although the bill was passed some of the more damaging anti-life amendments were not added to it, including an attack on pro-life counselling and the extension to Northern Ireland of the Abortion Act. There had also been 40 days of Prayer and Fasting in Northern Ireland to ensure that this law was not extended. This only confirmed what we already knew; it is clear from the work that we do at Good Counsel Network, advising women who are strongly set on abortion, that the struggle to end abortion is a spiritual struggle and not merely one of practical concerns or politics.

Thursday the 12th January is the next National Day of Prayer and Fasting for Life, it is the eve of the 15th anniversary of the founding of the Good Counsel Network. Please join us in fasting. You could fast from all food except bread and water for the day or fast from a particular food or luxury, e.g. chocolate, alcohol, cigarettes or tv. Fast from whatever you can given your state of health etc, but make sure that it is something that involves a sacrifice to yourself. We are asking people to say a Rosary (or an extra Rosary if you say it daily already). You could also offer an extra effort such as going to Mass, or an extra Mass, on the day, or going to Adoration.

And the people of Nineveh believed in God; they proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least...God saw their efforts to renounce their evil ways. And God relented about the disaster which He had threatened to bring on them, and He did not bring it. Jonah 3:5,10.

For more information and a printable poster click here. Or if you have problems with this link go to http://www.goodcounselnetwork.com/ and find the Days of Prayer and Fasting page.

National Day of Prayer & Fasting for Life Wednesday 28th September

Join Us in Prayer and Fasting for the End of Abortion, Euthanasia and all attacks on the Sanctity of Life.

The next National Day of Prayer and Fasting for Life is tomorrow, please pray for an end of abortion and euthanasia. Your prayer and fasting is urgently needed. This is an opportunity for everyone to make a real difference in the pro-life struggle.

Join us in:

•Fasting: Fast from all food except bread and water for the day or fast from a particular food or luxury, e.g. chocolate, alcohol, cigarettes, TV. Fast from whatever you can given your state of health etc, but make sure it is something that involves a sacrifice to yourself.

•Prayer: We are asking people to say a Rosary (or an extra Rosary if you say it daily already). You could also offer an extra effort such as going to Mass (or an extra Mass) on the day, or going to Adoration. You can even pray before a closed tabernacle if Adoration is not available near you.

(Photo Benediction at Good Counsel)

Stuart McCullough

Urgent extra National Day of Prayer and Fasting for Life, Tuesday 6th (or Wednesday 7th) September

On Tuesday 6th September(moved to 7th after we sent this out as an email!) in the House of Commons there will be a debate regarding Health and Social Care Bill. A number of amendments regarding the counselling of pregnant women in relationship to abortion will be debated. With the details that we currently have it is not clear what would be the long term outcome of these amendments. Although there are some serious concerns that pro-lifers have raised. The Good Counsel Network has therefore called for an extra day of prayer and fasting for life with the intention that God’s Will, will be done and that the bill and any amendments to it, will do nothing to hinder the pro-life movement and that it will also not lead to an increase in the number of abortions.

Therefore on Tuesday 6th of September (or on Wednesday 7th)please:

Fast

Fast from all food except bread and water for the day

Or

Fast from a particular food or luxury, e.g. chocolate, alcohol, cigarettes, TV.

Fast from whatever you can, given your state of health etc, but make sure it is something that involves a sacrifice to yourself.

Prayer

We are asking people to say a Rosary (or an extra Rosary if you say it daily already).

You could also offer an extra effort such as going to Mass (or an extra Mass) on the day, or going to Adoration. You can even pray before a closed tabernacle if Adoration is not available near you.

(Photo of Benediction at Good Counsel on the eve of the Fast Day.)

Stuart McCullough

Saturday the 13th August is a National Day of Prayer and Fasting for Life

There is little doubt that when something which is as widespread and as evil as Abortion and has such a powerful grip on our society, good works alone will not rid us of this scourge. Therefore, there is a great need to increase our personal penance with prayer and fasting.

Saturday the 13th August is a National Day of Prayer and Fasting for Life (See our poster link). It is the vigil of the Assumtion and St Maximillian Kolbe, thus making this date doubly appropriate for such a day of prayer and fasting. We would ask you on that day to;

A great prayer for Life is urgently needed. - Pope John Paul II

And He said to them; This kind (of demon) can go out by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

(Gospel of Mark 9:29)

On Saturday 13th August please pray and fast for the end of abortion and euthanasia.
Your prayer and fasting is urgently needed. Join us each month in Prayer and Fasting:
Fasting
Fast from all food except bread and water for the day
Or Fast from a particular food or luxury, e.g. chocolate, alcohol, cigarettes, TV.
Fast from whatever you can given your state of health etc, but make sure it is something that involves a sacrifice to yourself.
Prayer
We are asking people to say a Rosary (or an extra Rosary if you say it daily already). You could also offer an extra effort such as going to Mass (or an extra Mass) on the day, or going to Adoration. You can even pray before a closed tabernacle if Adoration is not available near you.

For information on the days of Prayer and Fasting contact The Good Counsel Network on 020 7723 1740.
Download a Poster about the Fast Day here

And the people of Ninevah believed in God; they proclaimed a fast and puton sackcloth, from the greatest to the least…God saw their efforts to renounce their evil ways. And God relented about the disaster which He had threatened to bring on them, and He did not bring it.

(Jonah 3:5,10)

Stuart McCullough

Urgent! National Day of Prayer & Fasting for Life

Once a month the Good Counsel Network has a National Day of Prayer & Fasting for Life. As the unseen mass slaughter of abortion and euthanasia goes on around us day in day out, it is easy to become a bit laid back about the evils of this world. But not so this month, the Fast Day is Thursday 10th February, Vigil of the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. MP Chris Bryant’s private member’s bill to make sex and relationships education (SRE) compulsory in all schools is due for second reading this Friday, 11th February.

We also have the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists launching a consultation on their proposed guidelines for the care of women requesting induced abortion with a deadline of 18th February.

So please join us each month in Prayer and Fasting for Life:
Fasting
Fast from all food except bread and water for the day
Or
Fast from a particular food or luxury, e.g. chocolate, alcohol, cigarettes, TV.
Fast from whatever you can given your state of health etc, but make sure it is something that involves a sacrifice to yourself.
Prayer
We are asking people to say a Rosary (or an extra Rosary if you say it daily already).
You could also offer an extra effort such as going to Mass (or an extra Mass) on the day, or going to Adoration. You can even pray before a closed tabernacle if Adoration is not available near you.

National Day Of Prayer And Fasting

Join us in Prayer and Fasting For Life On Thursday 18th November.
Fasting
Fast from all food except bread and water for the day.
Or
Fast from a particular food or luxury, e.g. chocolate, alcohol, cigarettes, TV.
Fast from whatever you can given your state of health etc, but make sure it is something that involves a sacrifice to yourself.
Prayer
We are asking people to say a Rosary (or an extra Rosary if you say it daily already). You could also offer an extra effort such as going to Mass (or an extra Mass) on the day, or going to Adoration. You can even pray before a closed tabernacle if Adoration is not available near you.

And the people of Ninevah believed in God; they proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least…God saw their efforts to renounce their evil ways. And God relented about the disaster which He had threatened to bring on them, and He did not bring it.
(Jonah 3:5,10)

Stuart McCullough

43rd Horrible Anniversary and Resuscitation Training at marie stopes

It was balmy and mild as I set off for Whitfield St for the 40 Days for Life witness at marie stopes abortuary today. Good Counsel had volunteered to man the Vigil for the day from 8am to 8pm due to it being the 43rd anniversary of the passing of the abortion act today.

I had the 8am slot and on my arrival at the abortuary with a few other souls, we saw about 7 staff members arrive and a van pull up in front of the building. Today was apparently a "Resuscitation Training Day" according to the wording of the van parked outside (see the picture above). It's amazing that such a "safe", "legal" procedure should require such training.


One Deacon, Deacon Tsegaye shown in the photo above with volunteer Johanna Hendrickx and two Priests, Fr Mark Swires and Fr Michael Dunne attended.
We managed to staff the Vigil all day with pavement counsellors and pray-ers till about 5.30 and then were helped out by various attendees to complete the day. The "gentleman" who walks past twice a day and spits in to the gutter each time, looking venomously at us first has kindly developed a routine of walking past the counsellors in the morning and the pray-ers in the evening - wanting to share his blessings out between us no doubt. A deeply ponderous young man came and applauded our efforts to offer help while insisting that abortion sometimes is for the best - he had a brother who became severely mentally and physically disabled and lived a life of deep suffering. Please pray for him.
Today was a National Day of Prayer and Fasting too, it was nice to think people were fasting for the end of abortion today while we were at the abortuary.
The Daily Mail kindly showed up to interview some of our Counsellors and Pray-ers. And the day ended with a lovely Irish gentleman, Liam, who was at the Vigil getting offered free teas and coffees for all of us by a friend in a nearby cafe. Liam's wife, Paivi, died a year ago tomorrow, 28th October (feast of St Jude) please remember her in your prayers.
We also managed to label and deliver 200, 10-12 week old baby models for distribution in the packs given out at the screening of Blood Money.

A Great Prayer for Life is Urgently Needed

On our Fast Day (yesterday, 7th September) against the sex education bill I found this piece from Pope John Paul II's encyclical letter, Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life) on the internet when looking for inspiration from God. The day of prayer and fasting yesterday was for the failure of Chris Bryant MP's Bill which aims to introduce compulsory sex education in all schools, which will come before the House of Commons today, Our Lady's Birthday.

Evangelim Vitae says:

“a great prayer for life is urgently needed, a prayer which will rise up throughout the word. Through special initiatives and in daily prayer, may an impassioned plea rise to God, the Creator and lover of life, from every Christian community, from every group and association, from every family and from the heart of every believer. Jesus himself has shown us by his own example that prayer and fasting are the first and most effective weapons against the forces of evil (cf.Mt 4:1-11). As he taught His disciples, some demons cannot be driven out except in this way (cf.Mk 9:29). Let us therefore discover anew the humility and courage to pray and fast so that the power from on high will break down the walls of lies and deceit: the walls which conceal from the sight of so many of our brothers and sisters the evil of practices and laws which are hostile to life. May this same power turn their hearts to resolutions and goals inspired by the civilization of life and love”.

Lorraine Coyne

Missed this fast day but want to join with us in future days of prayer and fasting? Click here

Join Us Today in Prayer and Fasting Against Sex Education Bill

It's not too late to join our day of prayer and fasting today for the failure of Chris Bryant MP's Bill to introduce compulsory sex education in all bills, which will come before the House of Commons tomorrow on Our Lady's Birthday.

See here and here for more information that has appeared in previous blogs on the subject.

Urgent Day of Prayer and Fasting Against Compulsory Sex Ed

The men of Ninivah shall rise up in judgement with this generation, and shall condemn it; because they did penance at the preaching of Jonah; and behold more than Jonas here.

St Luke XI: 32

It struck me when reading this passage the other day that Jesus is not just speaking here to the wicked generation of His day, but was in fact speaking to us, now as well. On Wednesday the 8th of September, the Feast of the Nativity of our Blessed Lady, labour MP Chris Bryant will bring forward a bill in the House of Commons, proposing that sex education is made compulsory in all schools.

For more details about the bill see here

It is vitally important that we all contact our MPs and ask them, as our public servants, to oppose this bill on our behalf, but it is equally as important that we join Good Counsel Network's extra day of Prayer and Fasting on Tuesday 7th September. To find out more information and to download a poster click here

Fasting

We are being asked to fast from all food except bread and water for the day

Or
Fast from a particular food or luxury, e.g. chocolate, alcohol, cigarettes, TV.
Fast from whatever you can given your state of health etc, but make sure it is something that involves a sacrifice to yourself.

Prayer
We are asked to say a Rosary (or an extra Rosary if you say it daily already).
And/or
Offer an extra effort such as going to Mass (or an extra Mass) on the day, or going to Adoration. You can even pray before a closed tabernacle if Adoration is not available near you.

Let us not be amongst those whom the men of Ninevah shall rise up and judge.

Stuart McCullough

Pray and Fast On The Eve Before Our Lady's Birthday

The martyr St Maria Goretti's attacker Alessandro Serenelli had been reading the pornographic novels of his time before he attacked her. They wouldn't hold a candle to what we want to teach infants in our schools today.

See this blog on Monday for information on the National Day of Prayer and Fasting on 7th September against moves by Labour MP Chris Bryant in Parliament on September 8th to introduce compulsory sex education in all schools (or go to our website now).

Is it a coincidence that this is happening on Our Lady's Birthday? Well probably as far as Mr Bryant is concerned, but certainly not for the prince of this world, Our Lady's adversary, who has no doubt inspired the move.

Clare McCullough

Prayer Can Move Mountains

In a previous job I had, a work colleague came into the room where I was working. Quite out of the blue, she asked me what I thought about abortion. Surprised by the direct question. I replied by saying "It's totally out of the question. It's wrong". Not knowing why she had asked the question, I was careful with my response to her. Not long afterwards, she explained to me that she was pregnant, and that her boyfriend was wanting her to have an abortion. She was worried that when she told her parents, they would pressure her to have an abortion also. She wanted to keep her baby, but was feeling very alone. The pressure of her boyfriend's cold response and the assumption in her mind that her parents would equally be dismissive of her desire for motherhood, was clearly confusing and distressing her greatly.

I spoke with her at some length, feeling rather out of my depth to say the least.
Fortunately, I had met people working for the Good Counsel Network at a Youth 2000 retreat, so I asked them to send me pro-life literature for her, and asked them to pray. I gave her their number, and then asked as many people as possible to pray for her. Quite a few of us prayed a novena of Memorares for her. Mother Theresa was a great advocate of praying for things through Our Lady's intercession by praying a novena of Memorares.

When I came into work the next week, she turned to me in the company of work colleagues and told me she no longer needed the phone number I gave her. Later on, she explained to me that her boyfriend had apologised to her and told her he had been scared. He was now very happy she was pregnant and that they would be parents. She told her parents, who were very happy.

A lot of women we counsel here at the Good Counsel Network, want to keep their babies, but are being pressured by boyfriends, family and financial situations into having an abortion. The slogan " a woman's right to choose" is so incorrect as the majority of women are being pressured into making the "choice of abortion". The right to life of the unborn child is not considered in the equation of pro-abortion activists.

Prayer and fasting are essential if we are to destroy the "Goliath of abortion". Even though David had only a pebble, his faith enabled him to slay the Philistine. Let's take our pebbles of prayer and fasting, and with deep humility and trust in God; through Our Lady's maternal intercession, God will end abortion.

James Coulborn

Saturday 14th August National Day of Prayer and Fasting for Life

There is little doubt that when something which is as widespread and as evil as Abortion and has such a powerful grip on our society, good works alone will not rid us of this scourge. Therefore, there is a great need to increase our personal penance with prayer and fasting.

Saturday the 14th August is a National Day of Prayer and Fasting for Life (See our poster link). It is the vigil of the Assumtion and also the feast day of St Maximillian Kolbe, thus making this date doubly appropriate for such a day of prayer and fasting. We would ask you on that day to;

A great prayer for Life is urgently needed. - Pope John Paul II

And He said to them; This kind (of demon) can go out by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

(Gospel of Mark 9:29)

On Saturday 14th August please pray and fast for the end of abortion and euthanasia.
Your prayer and fasting is urgently needed. Join us each month in Prayer and Fasting:
Fasting
Fast from all food except bread and water for the day
Or Fast from a particular food or luxury, e.g. chocolate, alcohol, cigarettes, TV.
Fast from whatever you can given your state of health etc, but make sure it is something that involves a sacrifice to yourself.
Prayer
We are asking people to say a Rosary (or an extra Rosary if you say it daily already). You could also offer an extra effort such as going to Mass (or an extra Mass) on the day, or going to Adoration. You can even pray before a closed tabernacle if Adoration is not available near you.

For information on the days of Prayer and Fasting contact The Good Counsel Network on 020 7723 1740.
Download a Poster about the Fast Day here

And the people of Ninevah believed in God; they proclaimed a fast and puton sackcloth, from the greatest to the least…God saw their efforts to renounce their evil ways. And God relented about the disaster which He had threatened to bring on them, and He did not bring it.

(Jonah 3:5,10)

Stuart McCullough

July Day of Prayer and Fasting for Life

Saturday 24th July 2010, the Vigil of the Feast of St James, is this month's National Day of Prayer & Fasting For Life.

A great prayer for Life is urgently needed. Pope John Paul II

And He said to them; This kind (of demon) can go out by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. (Gospel of Mark 9:29)

On Saturday 24th July please pray and fast for the end of abortion
and euthanasia. Your prayer and fasting is urgently needed.

Join us each month in Prayer and Fasting:
Fasting
Fast from all food except bread and water for the day
Or
Fast from a particular food or luxury, e.g. chocolate, alcohol, cigarettes, TV.
Fast from whatever you can given your state of health etc, but
make sure it is something that involves a sacrifice to yourself.
Prayer
We are asking people to say a Rosary (or
an extra Rosary if you say it daily already).
You could also offer an extra effort such as going to Mass (or
an extra Mass) on the day, or going to Adoration. You can
even pray before a closed tabernacle if Adoration is not
available near you.

For information on the days of Prayer and Fasting contact;
The Good Counsel Network on 020 7723 1740.
http://www.goodcounselnet.co.uk/Days-of-Prayer-and-Fasting.html

And the people of Ninevah believed in God; they proclaimed a fast and put
on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least…God saw their efforts to
renounce their evil ways. And God relented about the disaster which He
had threatened to bring on them, and He did not bring it. (Jonah 3:5,10)

Tommorrow, 23rd June, Day of Prayer and Fasting

Wednesday 23rd June 2010, the Vigil of the Feast of St John the Baptist, is this month's National Day of Prayer & Fasting For Life.



A great prayer for Life is urgently needed. Pope John Paul II

And He said to them; This kind (of demon) can go out by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. (Gospel of Mark 9:29)

On Wednesday 23rd June please pray and fast for the end of abortion
and euthanasia. Your prayer and fasting is urgently needed.

Join us each month in Prayer and Fasting:
Fasting
Fast from all food except bread and water
for the day
Or
Fast from a particular food or luxury, e.g. chocolate, alcohol,
cigarettes, TV.
Fast from whatever you can given your state of health etc, but
make sure it is something that involves a sacrifice to yourself.
Prayer
We are asking people to say a Rosary (or
an extra Rosary if you say it daily already).
You could also offer an extra effort such as going to Mass (or
an extra Mass) on the day, or going to Adoration. You can
even pray before a closed tabernacle if Adoration is not
available near you.

For information on the days of Prayer and Fasting contact;
The Good Counsel Network on 020 7723 1740.
www.goodcounselnetwork.com

And the people of Ninevah believed in God; they proclaimed a fast and put
on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least…God saw their efforts to
renounce their evil ways. And God relented about the disaster which He
had threatened to bring on them, and He did not bring it. (Jonah 3:5,10)

Prayer and Fasting…You Never Know…

A good friend of mine saw the leaflet for the last National Day of Prayer and Fasting on a table at my place, and was intrigued by its message that prayer and fasting could be efficacious in stopping abortion. She is not a practising Catholic, but prays to Jesus. My friend is not directly involved in pro-life work and was enthused that fasting was something she could do for the pro-life movement, so she decided to fast from all food for 36 hours.

On the day of the fast, she went to work as usual, and as it happened there were boxes of chocolate galore in the staff room. Many times, she had to refuse a tray of luxury chocolates, and explain that she was fasting. Many faces with corrugated brows asked, what’s fasting? Why was she doing it? She explained that she was fasting for a decrease in the number of abortions. She went out with a group of friends for lunch in a fancy restaurant, and while everyone else ate delicious, steaming plates of food, she quietly said that she was fasting. Some were perplexed as to why she was fasting for pro-life, ‘there can’t be that many abortions every day’ one friend commented. She answered that there are over 600 abortions in England and Wales every day, and that while she had been pro-abortion, she now believed that many people would be here with us, but that their lives were cut short by abortion.
She found it a mortifying experience that so many at work were whispering about her fasting, it wasn’t as if she was parading her fasting, but it had become a discussion piece. A bigger test came later when she went out for dinner with her militantly anti-Catholic, Richard Dawkins following boyfriend. He ate his starter while she sipped water and when he was ordering his main course, he asked, ‘are you on a diet?’ She shook her head and said that she was fasting for the success of pro-life work in London. He practically gagged on his food. He wasn’t encouraging; ‘nothing will come out of that. You’re wasting your time. I thought we were going to have a posh meal together.’
‘That’s the point. I’m giving up the posh meal; it’s a sacrifice.’
‘Sacrifices are useless’ he said.
‘Not if they are for people you love.’
‘Who are they?’
‘Jesus and His creations.’
‘But why fast?’
‘We fast to make up for the wrong of abortion, that Jesus will give grace in return for our sacrifice, and that the grace will go towards stopping abortion.’
Had I not been a friend of hers, I would not have known that she had met so many people and had been a good example of someone who was praying and fasting. We may not see in this life how her sacrifice appeased Almighty God, but her fast showed many people the importance with which she holds making sacrifices to God.

Mary O'Regan