Growing up in the shadow of pro-life giants gave me the opportunity to meet some of the most heroic people living in the world today. They are the faithful soldiers of Christ who keep fighting the good fight for life in the 21st century.

These dedicated pro-lifers who pray and give out pro-life information at abortion clinics are often mocked, ridiculed, screamed and cussed at, yet all the while they remain quiet, peaceful, and prayerful on the sidelines. The media often paints them in a bad light, our culture tells them their fight is futile, and still they remain, anchored and steadfast in their fight for the unborn.

Pro-lifers are some of the most courageous people I know because they don’t give up, even when they cannot see the results of their tireless, selfless efforts. I think of the Catholic young people attending high schools and colleges across this country who give up a Saturday morning or a weekday afternoon to pray in front of abortion clinics. And I think of men and women like Matt from Seattle, who have worked in the pro-life mission field for years. It’s a rare gift when Matt learns that his work has born fruit, like this story he recently shared with me.

“On a Thursday morning in mid-October, four of us were praying the rosary in front of Planned Parenthood’s abortion mill in Snohomish County (Washington). On Thursday’s they have Teen Clinic day – and all that means is that you can come anytime that day without an appointment. Usually this is a good day for us to hand out pamphlets and a rosary to ten to fifteen women going into Planned Parenthood. We also refer them to the local crisis pregnancy center where they can get a free pregnancy test, and counseling, if needed.

While praying and handing out the pamphlets, a woman drove by and waved. She parked her car around the corner and approached us with a big smile on her face. It’s always nice to see a smiling face, because you sure don’t see many at the abortion sites.

The happy woman then said, ‘I wanted to thank you for being here when my daughter came here to have an abortion. Your prayers changed her mind and in July, I became the grandmother of beautiful twins.’

We all thanked her, a couple of us emotionally touched, as she turned and walked back to her car and left.

God’s grace is truly heartwarming, and along with His Mother Mary who is ‘full of grace’ and ever present, we thank Them for using us to make a difference in someone’s life. In a previous newsletter I mentioned that it would be great to have someone praying at the Everett Planned Parenthood on a regular basis. Well, almost a year ago, Cindy, Pat, Mike, and Mike began their faithful presence on Thursdays, and who knows how many lives have been changed since then?”

Matt and his faithful friends might never know, but God does, and I know that He and His Mom smile down on this pro-life group in Seattle, and all the dedicated people like them around the world, who give sacrificially of their time and talent in the service of life.

May you and I have the courage to rise up as the next generation of pro-life Christians, and follow in the footsteps of these pro-life giants. •