Ministries of Mercy - Life Ministries at 6363 9th Avenue North , St. Petersburg, FL 33710 US - Peaceful Vigil Aims To Change Hearts

“We offer a prayerful presence,” said Sabrina Burton, director of Life Ministry for the diocese. “We want to be the face of Christ there for the babies dying, the families, the women going in and those coming out realizing what they’ve done.”

The approach is based on a model by Msgr. Philip Reilly of New York. He led the first vigil by the Tampa group in April, emphasizing the power of prayer for what he calls the modern-day Golgotha. No heckling, no signs and no confrontation are the rules.

The June 9 vigil started with a Mass at the University of South Florida’s Catholic Student Center. Members then went to a parking lot on Fletcher Avenue and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and walked less than half a mile to the Tampa Women’s Health Center, reciting the sorrowful mysteries of the rosary along the way.

Imad Elchiti of Christ the King Parish in Tampa led the procession with a framed banner of the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of the unborn.

 “I think as Christians we’re called to live a life of justice with love always,” said Elchiti. “By praying and loving, we’re hoping to covert their hearts.”

For more information on the Helpers of God’s Precious Infants, contact Burton at 727-344-1611, ext. 325, or e-mail sab@dosp.org.

Published by the Florida Catholic of St. Petersburg, edition June 22-July 5, 2007.