Human Life International’s prestigious Cardinal von Galen award, which is given to Catholic Prelates and leaders who have been a voice of conscience in society, was awarded during the 5th World Prayer Congress for Life on Saturday last October 9th to Monsignor Reilly, founder of the Helpers of God’s Precious Infants. The award was presented to Monsignor Reilly by Archbishop Raymond Burke Prefect of the Holy See Apostolic Signatura.
In addition a second special award was presented on the same occasion to Dietmar Fischer director of the Human Life International office in Austria
The work of the Helpers of God’s Precious Infants is world renowned throughout the entire pro-life movement and has been responsible for saving the lives of thousands of babies.
According to its website the Mission statement of the Helpers sets out three ways of helping God's Precious Infants:
The first by being one who prays a “Prayer,” the second being a “Sidewalk Counselor” and thirdly by being a “Spiritual Counselor”
The ‘Prayers’ come to the abortion mill to pray for an hour or more, on any morning that babies are going to be killed. They carry on a most important spiritual battle, as they stand outside the mill. They pray in a spirit of reparation: for their own sins; the sin of abortion; and particularly for the deaths that will occur while they stand outside on that day. They pray for women going into the abortion mill: for the abortionist and his staff; for the neighboring community; for their legislators; for the religious leaders of the nation; and for all who, through indifference, do nothing to try to stop abortion.
The Prayers provide spiritual and moral support for the Sidewalk Counselors. They are essential. Before a mother is able to physically abort her child, a 'spiritual abortion' must take place within her heart. By the time she arrives at the abortion mill, she will have already rejected her child. This 'spiritual abortion' must be overcome by spiritual means, before the mother can change her mind about the physical abortion. By their sacrifice and prayer, the Prayers obtain the grace of God that is needed to reverse the "spiritual abortion", while at the same time the Sidewalk Counselors are working to prevent the physical abortion of the child.
The Prayers are also there to give a personal love to God's infants who will die that day. Just as John-the-Baptist was able to leap for joy in Elizabeth's womb because he was aware of presence of the love of Jesus and Mary (remember that it was at the sound of Mary's voice that he leapt in his mother's womb), so too will the babies joyfully leap in their mothers' wombs when they hear the voices of the Prayers. They will know they are loved.
Sidewalk Counselor - Helpers of God's Precious Infants Sidewalk Counselor
The Sidewalk Counselors are the ones who approach the woman going in to have the abortion and ask her to reconsider her decision. It is surprising that the woman often has not been given much factual information about what happens in an abortion. The Sidewalk Counselors educate her about the baby's biological development in her womb, and help her to understand the exact manner in which the abortion will kill her child. They will also warn her of the physical harm the abortion may cause to her own body. The woman will be provided with literature telling of all the help available: financial, medical, and spiritual.
The Sidewalk Counselors will also talk to the father of the baby. If the woman decides to go up to see the abortionist anyway, she will be reminded that the Helpers of God's Precious Infants will pray for her and be outside waiting, if she, like others before her, changes her mind while she is upstairs and comes back out again.
Spiritual Helper - Helpers of God's Precious Infants Spiritual Helper
There are some people who want to be present at the abortion mill but are physically unable to come. These Spiritual Helpers are present with the Helpers of God's Precious Infants in spirit. They contribute prayers and sacrifices made during the week, and offer it up for the work of The Helpers.
Some of the Spiritual Helpers are small children who are still in school. They make small sacrifices, such as giving up one night of television. They pray the Prayer Card of the Precious Infants for the work of those who go out to the places where the babies are being killed.
Other Spiritual Helpers are "shut-ins" or terminally ill patients in hospitals, who offer their sufferings and the pains of their condition to God for the purposes and intentions of the Helpers. There are also religious communities, called to a life of contemplation and prayer, providing powerful spiritual backup.
