"This Little Light of Mine, I'm Gonna Let It Shine": Chapter Holds Prayer Vigil to Commemorate 30th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

The tens of thousands of pro-lifers who assembled on the National Mall for the 30th annual March for Life were accompanied by the prayers of millions of Americans who share a respect for life but were unable to make the trip or who chose to demonstrate their commitment locally. Hundreds of those prayers came from Columbus, in northeast Mississippi, where pro-lifers bundled up and gathered in the cold on the afternoon of Sunday, January 19 for a candlelight vigil to commemorate the anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

The 45-minute vigil, organized by Lowndes County Right to Life (LCRTL), was held at the county courthouse and incorporated music, prayers, candle lighting, and a speech by "Silent No More" co-founder and Columbus resident Susan Mosley. The gathering received very favorable coverage from the local newspaper.

After more than 10 years of planning annual vigils, LCRTL knows what to plan for, and what to entrust to God. Since many in the community attend Sunday morning and evening church services, LCRTL plans the vigil for late in the afternoon to accommodate evening churchgoers.

"Consider it an extension of their service. We encourage pastors to announce it in church and encourage people to go as part of their church services for Sanctity of Human Life Sunday," explained Becky Deignan, LCRTL board member.

A core group of about 150 people are there each year, but there are always plenty of new faces. This steady growth is the result of careful planning.

For example, Mrs. Deignan sends two different letters, one to the chapter's mailing list and one to local churches, encouraging pro-lifers to attend the vigil. Another way that LCRTL draws pro-lifers is by inviting different pastors to lead the opening prayer each year and by having choirs or vocalists from different churches perform each year.

Church members are more likely to try something new if they do not have to go alone, so if other members or their pastor are participating in the vigil, they will too. The community now anticipates the vigil each year because it has become an annual event for many families.