21st Annual Rockland Life Chain

BY THOMAS OSSA

The 21st Annual Rockland Life Chain was held on Sunday, October 6th, from 2 pm to 3:30 pm, at the intersection of Nanuet’s Route 59 and Middletown Road.

Hundreds of adults, as well as youth from across Rockland County and clergy from various churches in the Rockland area were in attendance, many with signs proclaiming “Abortion Kills Children”, “The Natural Choice is Life”, and a large banner with the picture of an infant with the words “Take my hand not my life…”. Some signs were displayed in other languages, such as Spanish or Hebrew.

Those in attendance at the Life Chain included the Albertus Magnus Pro Life Club, led by Sister Nancy, Saint Joseph’s Youth Group, Saint Peter’s Pro Life Group, The Sisters of Life, Father McKeon, Saint Peter’s Prayer Group, Our Lady of Guadalupe Rosarians, Our Lady of Fatima Prayer Rally Group, and several other groups that were unidentified at the time of the writing of this article.

This year’s Life Chain was dedicated to John J. Davidson, a longtime supporter of the Pro-Life movement and a member of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Rosarians. He along with several other individuals have prayed the Rosary outside of the Planned Parenthood office located in Spring Valley for several years. John passed away on June 16, 2013. (Source: www.rocklandrtl.org)

The Life Chain began the annual kickoff of the 6th annual ’40 Days for Life’ – a prayer vigil organized by the Rockland Right to Life Committee that converts the Saturday morning Rosary session into a daily gathering of individuals from surrounding areas of Rockland. The participants congregate at the above-mentioned Planned Parenthood Office, and pray throughout the day from 9 am to 6 pm. Typically, individuals commit to shifts that range from one hour to several hours of time. This vigil is conducted regardless of favorable or inclement weather.

While most motorists and passersby simply view the vigil and continue to drive, some show their support or disdain by honking their horn or yelling out the window of the vehicle. Regardless of the reactions by motorists, the participants are instructed to not respond; rather they are encouraged to continue their prayer and meditation, so that a more collectively powerful message will be communicated in return.

For more information on The Rockland Right to Life Committee’s 40 Days for Life event, visit www.rocklandrtl.org or www.rocklandcatholic.com.