I noted a few weeks ago that Bishop Olmsted of Phoenix would be praying with a group in front of Planned Parenthood’s Phoenix headquarters on Good Friday. Here are some photos and a note from an organizer:

We have been greatly blessed with Bishop Olmsted’s presence at our prayer vigils sice he first came to Phoenix in December 2003. Just days after arriving, he came to our annual Christmas Eve prayer vigil and attracted 200-300 hundred of the faithful. Typically, only 50-100 people would come to this vigil. Then on Good Friday of 2004, Bishop Olmsted drew our largest crowd (approx 1200).

He has consistently attended 3-4 vigils every year. He must be one of the busiest bishops in the country as he travels frequently outside Arizona for a number of other organizations he is involved with.

Let me tell you a bit about our group. I am a member of Children of the Rosary, a group formed in the early 1990’s to organize regular prayer vigils at "abortuaries" (I dislike using the word ‘clinic’) in the Phoenix area. Weekly prayer vigils and sidewalk counseling is performed at a number of these sites.

Special annual rosaries are also organized during lent, Christmas Eve, Mother’s Day, Our Lady of Guadalupe (Dec 12) plus a vigil during the month of October when a missionary image of OLoG from Mexico is available to us. Bishop Olmsted has made a huge difference in the attendance at these vigils and as well as promoting a culture of life throughout the diocese.