For the fifth year in a row, Springfield Right to Life is sponsoring a local 40 Days for Life prayer vigil in the see city. This year the vigil began on Ash Wednesday and will conclude on Palm Sunday, March 29. The peaceful vigil is being conducted from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week during the 40 days, on the sidewalk in front Planned Parenthood at 1000 East Washington St.

The vigil is one of the largest internationally coordinated pro-life mobilizations in history, involving more than 650,000 volunteers in 559 cities across 27 nations. It is a peaceful campaign that began nine years ago and continues to spark change, as is proven by yearly statistics. "Since it began in 2007, at least 9,699 babies have been saved, 107 abortion workers have quit and 59 abortion centers have been closed," said Claudia Connelly, local chairperson for this year's 40 Days for Life.

The 40 Days for Life event is a focused, pro-life campaign to access God's power through prayer, fasting and peaceful vigil to end abortion. The mission is to bring together the body of Christ in a spirit of repentance, to seek God's favor, to turn hearts and minds from a culture of death to a culture of life, thus bringing an end to abortion, according to Connelly.

"Peaceful prayer is the focus of the vigil," said Connelly. "The location gives public witness and aids in focusing our attention on the purpose of our prayer vigil." Signs for volunteers to hold during their vigils are available at the Springfield Right to Life office at 323 East Monroe St.

Diocesan parishes are asked to have a vigil liaison to help organize their parish volunteers. "Retirees and stay-at-home moms are often available during the daytime hours," Connelly said. "Working folks are available for early and late hours and on the weekends." She suggested that at least two individuals be present at all times.

"Pray for the babies," Connelly said, "that they may experience life."

For more information on the 40 Days campaign go to www.40daysforlife.com or www.40daysforlife.com/local-campaigns/springfield/ or check out you parish bulletin. Locally, contact Connelly at (217) 523-2700, email , or see the website www.srtl.org.