Pro-life rosarys, counseling event this weekend in Salt Lake diocese

Friday, Jan. 22, 2016

SALT LAKE CITY — “We proclaim that human life is a precious gift from God; that each person who receives this gift has responsibilities toward God, self and others; and that society, through its laws and social institutions, must protect and nurture human life at every stage of its existence,” reads the Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities from the U.S. Catholic Conference of Catholic Bishops, which organizes the annual 9 Days for Life, a period of focused prayer and action against abortion.

This year, the 9 Days for Life was scheduled for Jan. 16-24.

In the Diocese of Salt Lake City every year various organizations and laypeople gather to empower the fight against abortion and to pray for the healing of those who suffer through it.

“In today’s world you see it everywhere, even in political campaigns; people are rude to each other, they are crazed, they are unfeeling and they forget that these are people that are made in the image and likeliness of God and need to be treated with respect,” said Veola Burchett, director of the diocesan Office of Marriage and Family Life.

Society has forgotten this, and “if we looked at every person and said, ‘I am looking at the image and likeliness of God,’ how our attitude will change toward them!” she added.

Usually when people gather to pray for the unborn, the prayer they use is the rosary.

“The importance of it is because it is one of the most powerful prayers. ... With it we are praying to the mother of God, the most powerful advocate that we can have,” said Burchett.

Sharing that some time ago she saw an image of a 4-year-old Jesus pulling on Mary’s robe, saying, “Mom, mom, mom,” – the image was titled “The First Rosary,” Burchett said that it was a great reminder that Mary, the mother of Jesus, always responds to prayers.

“The rosary helps us get in touch with the reality of Christ here on earth and Mary’s role on that,” said Burchett.

As part of these efforts the annual diocesan bilingual Pro-Life Rosary will be celebrated Sunday at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery; people will gather in front of the monument to the unborn near the mausoleum.

“We always pray the glorious mysteries. ... We pray for the unborn, we pray for those who had and had performed abortions, we ask to forgive them,” said Burchett adding that “We always look at the fact that we just have to start treating human beings as our brothers and sisters in Christ.”

Also as part of the pro-life efforts in the diocese, a group of lay people will be holding a sidewalk counseling table event on Saturday, Jan. 23, from noon to 3 p.m. along 900 East in Salt Lake City, near the Planned Parenthood facility. The gathering will be nondenominational, with many Catholics participating.

“Our objective with this event is to help pregnant women who feel like abortion is their only option. We will be there to let them know of all the other locations throughout the Salt Lake Valley that provide critical resources to struggling women and couples. Our hope is to reach out proactively to those in need,” said Sullivan Hughes, Right to Life co-president.

In addition, a Living Rosary for Life will be celebrated Friday, Jan. 22 at St. Mary Catholic Church in West Heaven after the 5 p.m. Communion service. All families are welcome to participate in this diverse group of ages and cultures that will together make a rosary with their bodies around the church’s sanctuary, holding candles and praying.

WHAT: Bilingual pro-life rosary

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 24, 2-3 p.m.

WHERE: Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 275 U St., SLC

Free and open to the public.