Smash The FACE Act

08/11/2023

A reflection from our Rescuers in jail:

In introducing the Stations of the Cross, we find our modern Catholic Bible a wealth of historical/theological information for which we are very grateful. However, we also find some noisome emphasis on the historo-critical method (hcm after) of translation. While this can give helpful information, it produces blind spots. I think the faithful justified in expecting our Bible to give the benefit of the doubt to Church tradition over hcm. One limitation that hcm demonstrates is the translators' lack of awareness to 21st century influences shaping their narrative. They also show limitation in accounting for human nature and common knowledge and opinion of the time period. Thus it is here in the footnotes regarding the Sanhedrin trial and condemnation of Jesus, that we find questioning of the Gospel Accounts about a midnight trial, during a feast day, where the investigation, testimony and verdict are all done in the same session of the Sanhedrin. The footnote suggests this could be unhistorical and not in keeping with Jewish law for legal proceedings. As the kids say: Duuuuhhh!
When a tyranny decides to move on an evil conspiracy what CAN be done replaces what is usually done and what should be done and any expediency WILL be done. Russian law in 1917- 1922 had no provision for Dzerzhinsky's revolver or the courtyard "ex*****ons".

While I will never compare our persecution and suffering to Jesus, because His was much greater, the babies that we, in our own poor way, stand in for, share FULLY IN Christ's trial and ex*****on and Resurrection. They are our link to His persecution. And the prevailing "legal" systems of Jerusalem 33AD and Washington DC 2023 are both found scratching and clawing to get a predetermined verdict using lies, suppression of evidence, unthinkable precedents and even violations of the law. Think about that.

08/11/2023

A message from John Hinshaw on the WaPo article attacking Rescuers (that we posted a few weeks ago, just scroll down)

It is good to see the public outrage over the government conspiracy against Pro-Lifers is so deep that the corrupt Dept. of Justice had to conscript a deceitful article from its chief agent of disinformation - the Washington Post. Contrary to the Post's article (10/16/23) and the perjurious Merrick Garland, Pro-Life rescuers NEVER resorted to violence during the rescue of 10/22/20. The video presented during trial revealed abortion mill staff assaulting peaceful Pro-Lifers utilizing a weapon. That the DOJ likely shopped this case until finding a judge willing to violate any standards of judicial balance, that the FBI was discovered to have been providing private security services for abortionists (while still being paid by taxpayers), and that the abortionist in question apparently committed numerous crimes of partial-birth abortion, didn't seem to fit into the article. It should be quite discomforting that in our nation's Capitol city, we have to rely on the richest man in the history of the world to tell us the truth. He knows he doesn't have to.

John Hinshaw
in federal custody

26/10/2023

FACE Trial Day 3

Again like last trial they had another officer go up, give his testimony and cross examination and then brought up the previous days witness for cross examination. However this account is written in sequential order to make it easier to read.

Witness 1: Officer Honere White
The officer on the scene of the Rescue went up to the stand. The prosecution asked him to define what a "Rescue is" and his response was that "they wanted patients to stop entering the clinic to protect unborn children." The prosecution showed clips I hadn't previously seen from body cam footage though nothing necessarily that was striking. Just different angles of the Rescuers singing and praying. His testimony was similar to the ones in previous trials however the prosecution brought up the fact that he was disciplined early in his career as an officer (for going on vacation but using sick leave). He received a 20 days suspension, 10 days without pat and received a suspension from the take home program for 12 months meaning that he couldn't take his work car home for a year. It should be noted that Paulette was assaulted brutally by a police officer during a rescue and that officer received NO DISCIPLINE whatsoever yet an officer that skips some days gets a severe penalty. The cross examination was interesting.
"Did you cut the chains?" The lawyer asked
"I don't recall" the officer responded
"But you were in the room" the lawyer pressed
"Yes" the officer responded
"Did someone put the locks in an evidence bag" the lawyer continued
"Possibly.... I don't know" the officer responded.
"When the bike lock was taken off of Mrs. Harlow's neck, was that put in an evidence bag" the lawyer asked.
"I am not sure" the officer asked a bit nervously.

I was a bit flabbergasted that no one had bothered to ask that question until now but I guess the police department threw away or disregarded that locks and chains after they had cut them off.

Witness 2: Agent Biscardi - Cross Examination
He went to Quantico for FBI training in 2016 and graduated in 2017 (so almost eight years in the FBI).
"You didn't find any text messages between my client and Lauren Handy? Jonathan Darnel? Or Joan Bell?" The lawyer asked.
"We had a hard time recovering phone records for your client" Agent Biscardi responded.
"Did you issue a search warrant for Paulette's Facebook" The Lawyer pressed
"No" the Agent responded
Most of the cross examination was pointing to the painful lack of evidence for conspiracy that they had (or should I say didn't have) on Paulette Harlow. Agent Biscardi also said they asked the police department for the locks and the department said that they didn't have them.

Lunch Break: We actually had Tina Smith go up, then take lunch, then afterword have a cross examination but putting it in this order since it is easier to read. Tangential Tibidts, a man came up to Paulette during lunch and asked to pray for her. He gave a beautiful prayer over her asking that God protect her and bless her for her pro life work. We don't know how he knew her or the case but it was certainly uplifting to see.

Witness 3: Tina Smith (Alias)
Tina Smith the Clinic Mangar took the stand. She said she had worked at the Surgi Clinic since 1988 (approximately 35 years). She became clinic administrator since 1993. This part was a little hard to get down because her English was not great and everyone (including the judge) had trouble hearing her because her mic was either too close or too far. She said that the Surgi Center treats gynecological ailments, gives birth control, does STD test, and abortions.
"We have birth control and we do abortions. We have women of all types who come, some are 9 or 11 years old" She stated matter of factly.
"Can you describe the abortion process for a three day abortion" Sanjay Patel asked her.
At this question everyone on the bench leaned forward and listened intently, that was a question that the defense wanted to ask!
"The first two days are prep where we dilate the cervix, the women comes back and he add bigger dilators, the last day is when we begin the process of the surgical procedure" Ms. Smith stated a little nervous. Sanjay did not press for more details.
And that was it, everyone was extremely disappointed that she didn't go into detail. I should have counted (maybe I'll do that tomorrow) but the word "abortion" was seldom actually said during the whole trial.
"What kind of prep do you give woman on the third day?" Sanjay asked
"They are in a lot of pain so we make sure they lay down, get them a heating pad, make them feel comfortable." She responded.
A woman could lay down and have a heating pad at home, there was and still is no explanation why they come in four hours early for the third day abortion.
Cross Examination
"Are you yourself a registered nurse?" The lawyer asked
"No" Tina Smith said very quickly.
She looked nervous.
"Are you a co-owner of the Surgi center?"
"No" She responded
"Have you ever been a co-owner"
"No" she said again.

This line of questioning was something we wanted because many people were suspicious of why she was so dedicated to the Surgi Center. She was the first person to come in and the last to leave so we assumed that she may have had a stake in the center or some financial ties to the abortion facility.

The next line of questioning was on record keeping and if the Surgi center keeps the record of the patients. Tina seemed nervous (almost like they are bad at record keeping) and switched between saying they keep records for three years or seven years and what is compliant versus what isn't compliant.
"It's seven years but we keep the files for three years" She said
"I.... I am confused by your answer" the lawyer responded.
She finally was able to say that the law (and I don't know if this is true) states that you have to keep the records of woman who have abortions who three years but the Surgi center keeps them for seven years. However she said they shred all the patient appointment cards immediately.
"Does Surgi Clinic still have the appointment card for Hazel Jenkins (the alias of Lauren Handy for the rescue)"
"Yes we do" she said proudly.
The lawyer asked what kind of appointments they had on October 22, 2020
"There was some (woman getting an abortion) that were 2nd trimester, some first trimester, and some on the third day" she stated.
Funny how all the staff at the Surgi Clinic who said the "clinic" offers a ton of other services besides abortion did not have one single non abortion related appointment that day. Almost like abortion is basically the only thing they do.
They played more footage from the waiting room and paused on the part that showed John Hinshaw by the door praying. I never noticed this but one of the spectators in the bench pointed to the sign on the door into the operation room "No Cellphones allowed beyond this point" almost like they don't want a woman texting someone that could change their minds.

Finally it got to my favorite part. They played footage of the Rescuers entering the Surgi Center where you could CLEARLY see Tina Smith with a large broom rushing towards the Rescuers, hitting them with the broom, and throwing people down.
"The stick is out in a weapon fashion" the lawyer said referencing the way she was holding the broom in her hands.
"It is not!" She screamed
"Did the stick hit anyone?" The lawyer calmly asked
"No!" She yelled quite frustrated.
He asked her why she got the broom in the first place
"I wanted to hold the line!" She yelled
They went back and forth about ways she held the broom and who she may or may not have hit with it.
"So the stick did come in contact with someone"
"Sure" She said exasperated
The lawyer then showed footage of Paulette being held down by Tina Smith and asked her why she was grabbing her.
"She's heavy! She's heavy! I had to grab her!" The Clinic Manager yelled (note Tina Smith isn't the thinnest woman in the world so if she is body shaming someone it's a case of the pot calling the kettle black if you catch what I am saying).
"Wouldn't you agree that your hand is on her neck" the lawyer inquired.
Tina was super frustrated because the video clearly showed her hand at Paulette's neck (it was a little difficult to watch).
"Objection!!! This isn't a self defense case!" Yelled Sanjay Patel who was visibly very angry and annoyed.
The lawyer calmly assured the judge that he was not inquiring for a self defense case but just wanted to go through the video and ask questions.
The judge allowed the line of questioning to continue.
"Did you push back in the video?" The lawyer asked
"Of course I had to push back, if you are pushed you push back!" She screeched.
"You would agree that Paulette Harlow was peaceful?" The lawyer asked for the final question.
"NO!!!!!! She was.......SINGING!!!.....And talking to the patients!" Yelled Tina Smith.
"No further questions your honor" was the lawyers response.
The prosecution got up and tried to make it seem that yelling "Keep your baby" is not peaceful but they couldn't point to anything Paulette did that was violent.

We had a small break and then went back inside to see Jean and hopefully Joan.

The Lawyer filed something to have the charges dropped and gave a beautiful account as to why Paulette did not break FACE nor engage in conspiracy.
Patel responded
"She aided and abetted her co-defendants..... She also brought the chains and locks to the clinic" he said (she did not).

I find it interesting that a common slogan pro aborts use is "I will aid and abet abortion" and no one blinks and eye but aiding and abetting saving a life is crime?

Witness 4 Jean Marshall
Jean came in wearing a long sleeved white turtle neck. Over that was a green mid length sleeves shirt. Then over that was a short dark blue tunic with the words prisoner printed in white on the back. I am not sure if that is standard wear in the jail or if she was wearing so many layers because she is an older woman.
The judge questioned her heavily about her testimony
"You understand you are waiving your fifth amendment right to not self incriminate yourself? She asked.
"I understand" she said
Note - The judge asking that and having a fifteen minute conversation is normal, you have the right not to testify and the potential for self incrimination is real. Also the potential for an appeal not to go through based on testimony. Go Jean for choosing to testify in order to help her sister!

"Why did you go to the Surgi Center?" The lawyer asked.
"This abortionist does late term abortions..... And I head that a woman had died there, the abortionist was so brutal he drove the instrument so far up that fetal tissue was found in her lungs."

The judge went on to say that since a jury wasn't there she wouldn't strike that form the record but not to mention that since she ruled it wasn't relevant to the case.

The government however objected to Jean using the word "abortionary" and the judge concurred.

"What did you say to the clinic manager when you first encountered her at the Surgi center?" The lawyer kindly asked.
"I said we've come in peace but you're assaulting us, that's a felony" Jean calmly responded.
"How would you describe your sister's character?" The judge asked
"Paulettte is known for being peaceful" Jean responded.
Cross Examination
The Cross was intense but Jean did a wonderful job. The female prosecutor with the greasy hair (I forgot her name) was extremely angry, very curt, and very rude.
In reference to the Rescue she asked
"But you knew that a rescue was about blocking a women's reproductive access to thec clinic?"
"No, people can participate in a rescue by just praying" she said.
The prosecutor was desperately trying to get Jean to self incriminate.
Jean did self incriminate a little bit, she said that she "Handled" the staff meaning when she was pushed around she pushed back (right when they entered). The prosecutor jumped on this and said
"So the person wearing the blue bandana (Jean) was pushing and shoving the clinic worker?"
However Jean was good at denying that and saying that there was a lot of commotion.
"So the goal was to stop women from accessing Reproductive Health Care?" The prosecutor asked in a snarky tone.
"The goal was to save lives" Jean said calmly (go Jean!)
"But you knew you were breaking the law!" The prosecutor yelled
"Any unjust law..... You are not morally obligated to follow unjust laws, you are morally obligated to follow just laws. That's a quote from Martin Luther King Jr." She said confidently,
Jean is either very good at public speaking or had extensive training because she nailed this cross examination even with the scary prosecutor. The prosecutor seemed to get more aggressive and hound her more as Jean was unwilling to self incriminate herself or Paulette.
The next part was just playing videos and trying to get Jean to say she and Paulette planned to block the door which never was said by Jean. The testimony took a very long time and while the court sessions usually end at 4:30pm this one ended at 5:30pm so I missed the last 5 minutes.
Jean asked to talk with her lawyer (who was present just to help her out) and then I left. However I heard that that was basically the end.

25/10/2023

Trial Day 2
The day started a little late but became intense incredibly fast. The lawyer was noticeably more chill with both Paulette and her lawyer. We didn't know if it was because she didn't have to perform for the jury or if she was just sensitive to Paulettes health condition but her demeanor was much kinder than the last two trials.

Witness 1: Caroline Davis
The Witness that was supposed to go was actually Sasha Proctor (Alias) the medical assistant that works at Surgi Clinic, She was running late so Caroline Davis went up instead. Davis gave her testimony then stopped, left and Sasha was put on to have a cross examination. Then she left and Caroline came up and had her cross examination but I will instead write my summary sequentially to make it easier to read.

Caroline's demeanor was..... More intense (maybe because this was the third time she did this). Her first account was pretty much a carbon copy of what she had said previously, she talked about the different types of Rescues and how she found out about this rescue from Heather Idoni. It is to be noted this WHOLE trial Paulette's name was barely mentioned (hoping the judge notes that) it was almost as if Lauren and Jonathan were on trial with how much they were talked about. The cross examination of Caroline Davis was brutal, for everyone. The lawyer (whose name I sadly forgot, I am sick and didn't take as detailed notes as I should have) asked her what she did when she sidewalk counseled. She stated "We held such extreme beliefs and tried to force them on others." The lawyer pressed her into why she didn't get arrested with the Surgi Clinic group and her response was that Cal Zastrow (Eva Zastrows father) didn't want her to participate in a lock and block with Catholics or a transgender (referencing Herb). That was really shocking to me. She touched a little bit about the weird dynamic of the Catholics who do Rescues versus the Protestants who do Rescues. She got a bit personal and talked about how she radically shifted her beliefs about Rescue and how no one should break the law, however thankfully she stressed that she was still pro life. She touched upon Ashley Jones (alias) the heavily pregnant woman who testified at the previous trials. She said seeing her so far along with the baby caused her a great deal of grief and emotions on the day of the Rescue. The lawyer asked her how she changed her mind about Rescue and she said it was after she was hit with a FACE charge that people started calling her out on her beliefs. She said verbatim "When I got away from that cult" that she started talking to more people, a new boyfriend challenged her on Rescue as well as co-workers and others. Her tone became almost mocking and cynical, a mixture of coolness and bitterness that everyone picked up on. However she didn't really know Paulette, she was able to identify her in the courtroom but gave no other details because she didn't talk to her at all during the Rescue.

Witness 2: Sasha Proctor (Alias)
This was the "Medical Assistant" who spoke at the previous trials. She gave a basic summary similar to last trials, nothing really stood out. It was only during cross examination that things became interesting (shoutout to Paulette's lawyer for actually cross examining her and doing a good job!). His first question was "What is your job title and what training did you have for it?" Her response was weird, I am still trying to figure out if she has two jobs or not. She is a medical assistant and an esthetician. He asked her what an Esthetician does and she responded "beautifies skin." I personally think she may have a side gig where she does that but others thought she works as an Esthetician for the Surgi Center (A lot of people thought that). Her training for both was 7 to 8 months to get a license. He heavily cross examined her about her testimony and there were many flaws. She said the hall way was empty but then at another time that it was filled with people. She's said there was a crack in the door where she saw a group of people but then later said the door was locked and she couldn't look out (many inconsistencies). One interesting thing to note is that she said that they opened the door to let patients in around 9am even when the Rescuers were in the waiting room. The lawyer pressed her on why they decided to open the door even though the Rescuers were in the waiting room and she couldn't answer (I am not sure of the reason either but I have my theories). He asked her what time the doctor was scheduled to come in and she said "12:30 but he didn't show up until 1:00pm" and he asked her why they have the women come so early in the morning when the doctor doesn't show up until 4 hours later. She said that they have to prep the woman at least fours before the procedure but never said what that entails (probably drugging them on Xanax beforehand). She seemed uneasy and nervous about the cross examination and was not well prepared for it. Finally he asked her "Based on your testimony you said my client [Paullete Harlow] was just singing and praying...... Is that violence to you?" And she was forced to admit that it wasn't and that everything they were doing that day was peaceful and non violent. The prosecution got up and asked (not verbatim but close enough) "Did you see Paulette Harlow yell at women to keep their baby?" And she answered yes. "Is that violence?" And she again answered yes. I guess anyone who yells is violent?

3 Witness: Ashley Jones (Alias)
She came in and sat down. The prosecution asked "Did you become pregnant sometime in the year 2020" to which she responded "Yes." They then went on to ask "Did you decide to terminate your pregnancy?" And she again responded "Yes." I kid you not the whole testimony neither the prosecution nor Ashley Jones mentioned the word "abortion." The prosecution referred to it and her "Medical appointment." Ashleys testimony was basically the same as it was in the beginning, she traveled from Pennsylavannia (because she was past 24 weeks but that was never revealed in her testimony) and got her abortion completely paid for by an abortion fund. She did talk a little about the three day "procedure." She said day 1 was prep, she didn't elaborate on day 2 (so I am not sure why she would need to go back, maybe to check in?) and then day three was the actual "procedure." Her baby would be three years old today. Noticeably she didn't cry or have that much emotion when she recounted this testimony (probably because this was her third time telling it). There was no cross examination of her by Paulette's lawyer.

It should be noted that there were more breaks than usual because Paulette was experiencing pain and had to lie down a couple of times.

Usual Twist: A woman was sitting on the benches with us. I later found out that she was involved in pro life activism in Texas (when abortion was still legal there) and recently got married and moved to D.C. She met some of the PAAU people outside the D.C. planned Parenthood and became friends with them. What is most unusual is that she KNEW Caroline Davis from childhood!!! Caroline recognized her leaving the Witness stand and texted her a little bit later saying "Are you in D.C? I thought I saw you at a trial?" Which is insane and also shows how small the pro life world is. This is Hearsay (meaning I cannot prove this and heard it from someone else) but she started talking about Carolines upbringing and what she noticed in her as a child. Without going into too much detail she made it sound like based on a very traumatic childhood Caroline developed a lot of mental health issues and she could kind of see that coming out when Caroline took the stand. Pray for Caroline.

Lunch Break

Witness 4: Agent Bacardi (I know I am not spelling this right)
This one was the most painful to listen to because it was so boring and also it had NOTHING to do with Paulette. Basically his testimony was verbatim what he talked about previously in the last trial however all the evidence they showed was for Lauren and Jonathan. Everyone was super confused about how this had anything to do with Paulette. We kept waiting to see how they would tie in Paulette and they never did. They just showed messages between Lauren and Jonathan and then AirBandB recipes from Lauren. Literally nothing to do with Paulette (do they know who is on trial). Very sadly Paulette started to have a really bad headache and some neck pain as well. The judge called for a thirty minute break. We were a bit worried however they found her an ice pack and we resumed the session. The judge told her they could stop for the day but she insisted that she wanted to get through this testimony (she is a trooper) however she needed to lie her head on an ice pack during the testimony. The judge was about to say ok but her lawyer pointed out that she would not be able to see the evidence that was presented and the judge agreed. Court was adjourned an hour early and Paulette went home to rest.

20/10/2023

https://www.liveaction.org/news/jailed-pro-lifer-wicked-law-ending-abortion/

Some words from one of our friends in jail!

Live Action News spoke with Jonathan Darnel from jail about pro-lifers' prospects for appeal, and how the pro-life community can help.

16/10/2023

A pro abortion article that mentions some of the FACE defendants however this quote is telling - "There have been 196 attacks on Catholic churches since the Dobbs decision, according to CatholicVote, including graffiti of satanic messages, rocks and bricks thrown through windows and desecrated statues."

Let us be clear, peacefully praying and sitting down in front of a door is not violence, yet the DOJ disagrees. Graffitiing, smashing windows, and intimidating pro lifers IS violence yet it is rarely ever prosecuted.

A look at the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, a 1994 law U.S. officials call a key tool to protect reproductive rights for women seeking abortions.

13/10/2023

Reflection from John Hinshaw:

This is the ending of a difficult week of prayer. We prayed and meditated on the Sorrowful Mysteries and accompanied this with the unrelenting suffering of the Israelites in Lamentations. We know they were left defenseless against some of the worst people in the world and God is unsparing in explaining why. In Lamentations God reviews the atrocities His people committed while under His Protection. These atrocities included child sacrifice. There are many of us who look around at our country now and scarcely recognize it. Frequently we are overheard asking how we got here. The atrocity of 50+ years of child sacrifice now leaves our country defenseless and the wicked are pouncing. There is much to suffer for. Suffering, sacrifice and supplication before God are the only honorable ways open for us.

07/10/2023

https://rcdop.org/news/joan-andrews-bell

It was not my intention or plan to write on a similar topic or theme for two consecutive weeks, but as I was writing my column last week, I learned some news that caused me to change my plans. I decided that I should write about Joan (Andrews) Bell, her inspiring life and dedication to the pro-life....

05/10/2023

A reflection from John Hinshaw:

As we are going forward in our call for a Sanctified Period of Deliverance we should be calling more people to join in. If anyone missed the beginning there is more to come. We find ourselves much guided in here. That which is shown to us, prayerfully, scripturally or spiritually seems to recur and resound. An example: our Bible Study Group fellow inmates keep expressing shock at the mendacity of our prosecution, the threat of years of prison and the gov't hatred of us. We explained the guilt of those protecting the guilty, the selfish self - righteousness of the feminist and sexual revolution, but then we find during our weekly Bible Group with our Baptist Brothers - John 16:2 - "In fact the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God. They will do this because they have not known either the Father or Me". Yes, Judge Kollar Kotelly believes she serves a superior God. Prosecutor Patel is filled with outrage that we would protect a " would be child"
But let this week say to you: Isaiah 55:11:
"So shall My Word be
That goes forth from My Mouth
It shall not return to Me empty
But shall do what pleases Me
Achieving the end for which
I sent It"
His Word for these generations IS the Gospel of Life, which was being lived before St. JohnPaul wrote it. God's Word, the Gospel of Life, was attacked and suppressed by our rulers and ignored by His Church (woe to you Quebec). So He raised up a Pro-Life movement to receive His Word, do what pleases Him and achieving the end for which It was sent- not returning to Him empty.
THIS IS WHO WE ARE
Let every Pro-Lifer know and understand that God, through Isaiah, prophesied OUR uprising!!!!
GO FORTH RENEWED!

04/10/2023

Forty Days for Life - Behind Bars

By Will Goodman October 1st, 2023

A few days ago, the largest ever "40 Days for Life" fall campaign kicked off around the globe. This international campaign of prayer, fasting, and pro-life witness has been used by Almighty God to save countless babies, assist thousands of moms and dads, close abortion mills, and help bring conversion to many abortion supporters and abortion industry employees! Deo gratia!

I first became involved in 40 Days for Life very early on in Madison, WI, just as the national campaign plan was being initiated, and as these important coordinated prayer efforts were about to begin to proliferate outside of where they started in Bryant/College Station, TX. After this, I was then blessed to be able to help several local pro-life groups start their own 40 DFL campaigns in about ten different cities in three different states. Through the years I've been honored to participate in fall and spring campaigns all across the United States as a prayer warrior, sidewalk counselor, speaker, community educator, and volunteer organizer.

In my travels as a full-time pro-lifer over the many years since 40 DFL began, I've traveled coast to coast joining the faithful praying under the cool blue skies of Tacoma, WA, in sweltering hot temperatures in Baton Rouge, LA, in the bone-chilling cold of Duluth, MN, in many quiet small towns dotting the nation's heartland, and in the noisy streets of Chicago, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Boston, New York City, and Washington, DC.

Today, October 1st, is Respect Life Sunday -- the first day of Respect Life month -- dedicated to remembering the sacred gift of all human life and the sacred responsibility of defending each human person.

This first Sunday of October is also the traditional -- "Life Chain Sunday" -- in which countless American pro-lifers have for many decades kept silent vigil on the main streets and thoroughfares of their cities and towns holding up pro-life signs in a human chain stretching for blocks... even miles!

It has been a privilege to join so many of the brave faithful in this mission too. Together we've held white rectangular signs saying "Abortion Kills Children" in furious blizzards in Gillette, WY. We have carried signs testifying that "Abortion Hurts Women" in the soggy fall rains in Champaign, IL. We embraced signs in the warm St. Louis, MO, sun witnessing that "Jesus Heals and Saves." And last year I joined Hispanics in Yonkers, NY, with signs stating the message of hope: "Adoption the Loving Option," in both English and Spanish.

Right now, across the country and around the world pro-lifers are united in one focused spiritual mission. Today and throughout this entire month of October we are gathered together near and far in dedicated prayer plus action, "ora et labora" (prayer and work) as St. Benedict would counsel, for a complete and utter end to the terrible destruction of the Lord's smallest children. We also pray and work for the true good of the abortion-tempted mothers and fathers, as well as for every last abortion supporter or abortion industry employee. Together we beg Almighty God for all hearts, including our own, to be transformed so that a new culture of life and love might be established everywhere upon the earth.

But this 40 Days for Life and Respect Life \ Life Chain Sunday is decidedly different for me.

I am not able to hold a sign. I am not able to take an hour of prayer at the closest abortuary. I am unable to speak, help organize, or sidewalk counsel.

Yes. This year is different. Very, very different indeed.

I write this meditation as I sit in my cramped and chilly cell on the fifth floor of the Alexandria Adult Detention Center in Virginia.

The crime: peacefully kneeling down inside the waiting room of an extremely late-term child killing facility in Washington DC, and then silently praying there as a witness to the value of each human being. A witness of conscience, charity, truth.

As this witness continues, it is presently day 33 of my imprisonment.

I'm locked down here along with 7 other peaceful rescuers who are awaiting federal sentencing for our non-violent direct action, i.e., a simple "sit-in" style protest, or rather, a rescue mission that we had at the DC facility which commits "live birth" abortions.

We may be here until December or January before even being sentenced.

Why is this happening? Due to a very unjust and manipulative Department of Justice indictment, we were all unfairly convicted of, not one, but TWO "violent" federal felonies. (!?!) The radical support of baby killing by some in our federal government have brought all of us to this point whereby we are presently awaiting the potential of being sentenced up to an unprecedented ELEVEN years in federal prison!! :(

Yet, despite all of their abusive power and malice, the Department of Justice cannot stop us from participating in 40 Days for Life or Respect Life Month!

We are joining with all of you in the important threefold mission of 40 DFL to pray, fast, and witness for life!

In a more radical spiritual participation, we will pray from jail. We will fast in jail. And our pro-life witness continues from jail.

By Christ Jesus' grace, our united solidarity is made real.

When it's cold in the jail, we unite our prayers and small sacrifices to those in 40 DFL suffering outside in the cold weather of Montana and Maine as they pray at their local abortion mill.

When it's noisy in the cell block, we unite our prayers and small sacrifices to those sidewalk counselors working in the urban noise of Los Angeles or Atlanta.

When the guards rudely awake us in the middle of the night or early in the morning before sunrise, we can unite our prayers and small sacrifices to those prayer warriors waking up to man the very late and very early hours scheduled in the ongoing vigil.

In jail we shall unite our fasting with yours. In here, we have an imposed fast every day from good, healthy food. We continually fast from our freedom. In pain we fast from being with our family and friends. As a Catholic, I find the most difficult fast is from receiving Jesus Christ in the Blessed Eucharist at Holy Mass.

We all fast together because it is a powerful weapon when united to Christ.

The global abortion holocaust is at heart a spiritual battle against diabolical powers. In 40 Days for Life, we remember Jesus' words teaching that some demons "cannot be cast out but by prayer and fasting." (Matt 17:21)

In this spiritual combat, us jailed rescuers also have the privilege of joining other powerful pro-lifers who, due to their unique circumstances, cannot be outside praying and counseling at the abortuaries, but are nonetheless a very essential part of the 40 Days for Life campaign team.

We intentionally join prayers alongside the bedridden sick and those who lovingly care for them. We pray with those powerful elderly prayer warriors who are confined in nursing homes. We join mothers or fathers who are at home with sick or disabled children, and the loved ones who must stay inside caring for elderly parents or spouses.

It is interesting to note that 2023's Respect Life Sunday falls on October 1st which is the feast of St. Therése of Lisieux! This amazing saint has a lot to teach us regarding the power and efficacy of secluded love, prayer and sacrifice.

So spiritually powerful was her life, that while this devout young religious woman known affectionately as "the Little Flower" never left her Carmelite convent, she is nevertheless one of the Church's co-patrons of the missions!

As the Church's other co-patron, St. Francis Xavier, traveled throughout the world as an active missionary, so too St. Therése was fruitful in God's mission work through her contemplative life of prayer and sacrifice.

In some ways, those who are actively participating in the fall campaign of 40 DFL by sidewalk counseling, praying and witnessing at the killing centers, or doing pro-life educational outreach in the community-- are like the active missionary Jesuit St. Francis Xavier.

In different ways, we who are restricted from the outward active life can also participate spiritually in a more strictly contemplative dimension of the 40 DFL campaign effort by following the holy example of the cloistered Carmelite St. Therése of Lisieux.

Like the Church, we as pro-lifers should recognize and rejoice over the beautiful complementarity of both the active and contemplative pro-life labors to replace the culture of death with a flourishing culture of life.

Whoever you are and wherever you are-- YOU can be an essential part of this year's fall campaign to defend the innocent.

Even if you happen to be thrown behind bars.

This year, the Lord blesses me with a contemplative 40 Days of Life ( and then some!) in the "monastery of hard knocks" on a "state sponsored retreat".

For us all the key to victory is simple: uniting all our prayer, fasting, and witness to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ whose own prayer, fasting, and sacrificial witness of love rescued the world!

I'm reminded of this all-important truth as I meditate in my cell on the Scriptural words of the Communion Antiphon for Sunday, Oct 1st:

"By this we came to know the love of God: that Christ laid down His life for us; so, we ought to lay down our lives for one another." (1 John 3:16)