Sad Songs: A View from the Front Lines of the Spiritual Battle between the Culture of Death and the Culture of Life–A Sidewalk Advocate’s Journal
Sad Songs: A View from the Front Lines of the Spiritual Battle between the Culture of Death and the Culture of Life–A Sidewalk Advocate’s Journal
By David E. Dowd with a commentary by Ronda Chervin
Working as a Volunteer Pro Life Sidewalk Advocate, the author recorded this series of reports. They were recently written over a period of six months during which he and others were praying and counseling as Sidewalk Advocates to women who entered an abortion clinic. As you read this collection of sad stories, the denial, hardship, struggles and desperation of some 20-30 women a day, 3 days a week might begin to register. These are not the stories that you hear or read from abortion advocates. The chapters of this book are based on observations, quotes, conversations, estimates and, yes, some speculations by the author as to what happens on the sidewalk.
The killing of babies by surgical and chemical means in our country is an ongoing NATIONAL DRAMA. Clearly, the abortion clinics are the Front Lines of an invisible Spiritual Battle, waged where the worldly Culture of Death collides with an undermanned, under-financed, misunderstood yet hopeful band of volunteer sisters and brothers, representing the Culture of Life, provides resistance against the imminent death of unborn children in the womb of their mothers–resistance to that March of Bloody Death every day a woman transacts a business decision with an abortion clinic. It’s a sad, sad song that must be heard. We must look at the world as the world truly is before we look to God for the solace of our troubles.
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Attorney Elio Forcina, from Queens, NYC
TESTIMONIALS
“David E. Dowd’s splendid new book—Sad Songs, A Sidewalk Advocate’s Journal—is a revealing and compelling first hand account of the struggles and challenges of pro-life advocates outside the killing centers, as they try to rescue innocent children from the ‘primordial evil of our time’, legal abortion. David Dowd’s testimony is a reminder of the passage from Saint Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and power, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places. Sidewalk advocates understand the spiritual nature of this warfare. They seek not only to save the life of the child, but the soul of the mother. Even the abortionists and their collaborators are not beyond their prayers and ministrations. Reading David Dowd’s book, one apprehends the vital necessity for spiritual preparation and grounding on the part of the sidewalk advocate. Their unique apostolate requires all of the Theological, Cardinal and Capital Virtues and the many Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Ghost. Armed with all of these, and in a state of sanctifying grace, they are ready to do battle against this Luciferian evil. They are the heroes of our time.” – C.J. Doyle, Executive Director, Catholic Action League of Massachusetts
“This book is a great read for those who pray outside of abortion clinics or are considering it. The best parts are the factual descriptions of what actually happens outside a clinic. It introduces all of the characters you are likely to meet: clinic workers and volunteers, other prayer warriors and counselors, and, most importantly, women who are considering abortion. Dowd offers excellent examples of how to engage with these and others in calm, empathetic dialogue.” — Jennifer Hurt, Pro-life Ministry Leader, Philosophy MA Holy Apostles
“Like watching a trainwreck, you won’t be able to tear your eyes away. You won’t be able to unsee the story David Dowd, a sidewalk counselor and advocate, has put together for you. Yet, an essential story for everyone on the right side of life, a story that will resonate with anyone who’s ever tried to save an unborn child.” — Dr. Sebastian Mahfood, OP, a Lay Dominican of the Province of St. Albert the Great
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
David E. Dowd, a self-described repentant Catholic poet and former insurance underwriter, is a Pro-Life Activist who has been involved in street preaching in Boston. He is the author of Love, Life, Family & the Boston Red Sox: A Book of Poetry and Always a New Beginning!
ABOUT THE COMMENTATOR
Ronda Chervin, PhD, is a professor of philosophy, widow, grandmother, and great grandmother. She has taught at Loyola Marymount University, St. John’s Seminary of Los Angeles, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Our Lady of Corpus Christi, and Holy Apostles Seminary and College. She is the author of numerous books about Catholic living and presents on EWTN and Catholic Radio. Most well-known of her books are The Way of Love, Treasury of Women Saints, Avoiding Bitterness in Suffering: How our Heroes in Faith Found Peace amid Sorrow, Escaping Anxiety on the Road to Spiritual Joy, Talkaholics, and, with David Dowd, Always a New Beginning.
OTHER CATHOLIC MEMOIRS
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Dorothy Cusick is the daughter of Mary, the subject of this book. She prays, “May the readers of my Mother’s story be able to say like Andrew Avellino, ‘O my feet one day you will tread over these stars.’ For the book itself, may it like Jacob’s testament to Asher, furnish dainties for our King.”
