Praying in Pittsburgh.

I went with Students for Life this morning to the mills in Pittsburgh. There was a good sixty of us, with maybe eight counsellors. We got a special blessing at Mass and were on our way. I broke my record of most consecutive prayers said, ever. I don't think I've ever spent four hours straight in prayer.

Anyways, I think they must be used to our presence there. No one really asked any questions, or made crass remarks. The Deathscorts didn't even bother us. Granted, I don't know how much they got in the way of the counsellors, but they didn't interrupt our praying or hymns.

I want to know what kind of people look at a mill, though, and think "This is a safe place." The two mills our groups were praying outside of today were very disconcerting. Peeling paint, scratched-up windows, cracking sidewalks. Located next to an empty storefront and a tobacco gallery. Most of the "pro-choice escorts," as the neon yellow t-shirts read, were male.

The clinic didn't seem very busy. At the Planned Parenthood in Metropolitan DC, there were women coming in every few minutes. During the course of the three hours I was at Allegheny Reproductive Health Center, I only saw four or five girls go inside.
I'm hoping that, by the time I'm a senior here, one of the two clinics will shut down.

Please keep Jim Pouillon in your prayers, all.