40 Days for Life vigil begins with prayerful presence at abortion clinic

By John Gleason

The two-story building sits a block off Quebec Street, a stones throw away from the old Stapleton Airport.  The fence that surrounds the building is covered in a black tarp, blocking all view from the street as if those inside don’t want anyone to know what goes on there.

The building is the home of Rocky Mountain Planned Parenthood headquarters and clinic. On this warm Wednesday afternoon five people, all with rosaries in hand, are slowly making their way down the sidewalk outside the building, circling the block over and over again maintaining a vigil for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Sept. 24 was the first day of the 40 Days for Life national campaign, which serves to pray for the election of public officials who will defend and protect human life, especially the life of the unborn.  During the campaign members of the community are taking turns praying outside the Planned Parenthood clinic.  This afternoon, Susan Follanscee and her daughters Sara, Stephanie and Elizabeth are among the volunteers who have come to pray for the unborn. 

“We think of this as praying outside the walls of Jericho,” Follanscee said. “We have a responsibility as Catholics to uphold the dignity of life and to speak out for those who cannot.”

The Follanscees are part of Catholic Homeschoolers, one of almost 40 organizations, schools, religious communities and parishes who have signed up through the Denver Archdiocese’s Respect Life Office to maintain the vigil outside the clinic over the next 40 days, a number used often in the Bible, recalling among its many instances the length of time Christ fasted and prayed in the desert.

Upon hearing about the campaign, Follanscee said she couldn’t wait to be a part of it, and not just through the community of homeschoolers.

“Our parish, St. Joan of Arc, has signed up to be here on Oct. 7 which is the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary,” she said. “And (pastor) Father Joseph Cao said he’ll be here the entire 12 hours on that day.  I think that is very inspirational.”

Noting the cover on the fence surrounding the clinic, Follanscee said that those who present themselves as pro-choice are in denial.

“It’s a reflection of our culture,” she said, “and how far we’ve moved ourselves from our Lord and his values.  As a result, in our culture millions of lives have been lost.”
Still, Follanscee is optimistic.  She sees that more people are becoming aware and are speaking out.

“I was here at the rally on Aug. 25 when thousands of people came to pray,” she said, referring to the archdiocese’s prayer vigil led by Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., and Alveda King, niece of the late civil rights leader Martin Luther King.

“It was so inspiring to witness that,” Follanscee said. “The building was surrounded and still more came to pray.  It gives the feeling that perhaps the tide is finally turning for life.”
She cites the 40 Days for Life campaign as another example of how many more people are voicing their concern.

“You know there have actually been clinics that have been shut down as a result of this campaign,” she said.  “It’s been around for four years and has grown to more than 170 cities.  That’s people taking a stand.”

The 40 Days for Life campaign will continue through Nov. 2.  Anyone wishing to participate may call the Respect Life office at 303-715-3205. For more information, visit online 40daysforlife.com/denver.