Prayer, Presence and Human Dignity: Joining the Co-Cathedral’s 40 Days for Life

Parishioners praying for life

For Co-Cathedral parishioners Kathleen Sieve and Julia Brown Ferrero, 40 Days for Life is first and foremost about prayer: peacefully bringing before God women, unborn children, families, and all those facing difficult circumstances.

It is one expression of the Church’s enduring commitment to the dignity of every human life—from conception to natural death—and an opportunity to respond through prayer, compassion, and accompaniment.

For Julia, that understanding became especially personal through motherhood. Seeing her baby during a first-trimester ultrasound and later feeling her move led Julia to a deeper recognition that even the youngest human life possesses full human dignity.

That conviction extends far beyond an hour on the sidewalk. Julia is also active in the Co-Cathedral’s Human Dignity community group, which she describes as a place for parishioners to learn together, support one another, exchange ideas of hope and inspiration, and discern how the Holy Spirit may be calling them to act. She says the group has produced fruits of “community, kindness, compassion, and seeking truth.”

A group of parishioners praying for 40 Days for Life

Human dignity can be lived in many simple ways; supporting a new mother with a meal, helping a family with young children, noticing someone who is struggling, or simply asking, “How can I pray for you?”

Kathleen also emphasizes prayer. During the vigil, she prays for people she may never meet who are facing an unexpected or difficult pregnancy—asking God to guide them and provide the help and support they need. “One often will never know the fruits of these prayers in this life,” Kathleen says, “but we know we are called to prayer.”

For someone who believes in the pro-life mission but feels uncomfortable about sidewalk prayer, Kathleen offers practical advice: come when others are there. Being alongside fellow parishioners can make that first experience much easier.

Julia offers additional advice for families with young children. She typically comes with another adult, keeps the outing to an hour or less, uses a stroller or carrier, brings plenty of snacks, and adjusts plans when the weather is difficult. Signs are optional—the essential element is simply a peaceful presence of prayer.