Siege of Jericho

When I was in school, we often sang (unusually for secular schools nowadays) Christian songs at assemblies, one of which recounted the biblical story of the battle of Jericho. I always enjoyed this particular song, because it evoked such strong imagery in my imagination: "the walls came tumbling down."

But those words took on a new meaning for Henry and me today, along with three of our Oscott brethren, as we joined about 30 others on a walk around an abortion clinic in Birmingham. 'The Siege of Jericho', as the events of this week have been called, recalls that very battle as we circumnavigated the clinic seven times, in the obvious presence of the Blessed Sacrament, under the banner of Our Lady of Guadalupe, who is patroness of the unborn.

We prayed three mysteries of the Rosary together, a Divine Mercy chaplet, as well as singing several hymns, that the hearts of those involved in those dreadful actions would be converted, and also with the intention to renew the priesthood in the eyes of people in this Year of the Priest. At the end of our procession, we sang hymns to the Blessed Sacrament, and the priest gave us all benediction with It.

There was no opposition to our peaceful prayers, but many people passed by, on foot, bicycle, bus and car and saw our banners and heard our voices raised in song. Hopefully our small act of witness will encourage everybody to think about this most dark blight on our 'civilised' society.

And she who gives a baby birth brings Saviour Christ again to earth.