Sad Songs: A View from the Front Lines of the Spiritual Battle between the Culture of Death and the Culture of Life–A Sidewalk Counselor’s Journal

By David E. Dowd with a commentary by Ronda Chervin

As a volunteer pro-life sidewalk counselor, the author recorded these reports over six months of praying and counseling outside an abortion clinic. Based on observations, conversations, quotations, and personal reflections, they reveal the fear, hardship, denial, and desperation of the 20–30 women who entered the clinic each day—stories seldom heard in public discussions of abortion.

The surgical and chemical abortion of unborn children remains an ongoing national tragedy. Abortion clinics are the front lines of an unseen spiritual battle, where a small band of volunteers representing the Culture of Life stands against the Culture of Death. These pages bear witness to that daily struggle and invite readers to confront its reality before seeking God’s consolation and hope.

Paperback $14.95 | Audible: $14.99 | Kindle $9.99

 

TESTIMONIALS

“David E. Dowd’s splendid new book—Sad Songs, A Sidewalk Counselor’s Journal—is a revealing and compelling first hand account of the struggles and challenges of pro-life counselors 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 counselors 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 counselor. 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, 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, Talkaholicsand, with David Dowd, Always a New Beginning.

 

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