Last month, pro-lifers were saddened to learn of the passing of Monsignor Philip Reilly, a man who dedicated his life to the defense of the unborn. Reilly was a Catholic priest in the Diocese of Brooklyn. He served as the parochial vicar of two parishes and as rector of Cathedral Preparatory High School. However, he is best known as the founder of Helpers of God’s Precious Infants, a group dedicated to prayer and sidewalk counseling outside abortion facilities. Helpers of God’s Precious Infants was started in the New York City area and is active in 45 states and 40 countries, including Australia, Canada, Ireland, and England.

Throughout his life, Monsignor Reilly emphasized the power of prayer. A typical helpers event would begin with Mass and then a prayerful procession to the abortion facility where attendees would pray the rosary. Reilly was known to spend an entire day in front of the facility, not leaving until the final employee departed.  Reilly’s efforts made a powerful impact. The Ambulatory Specialty Surgery Center of Brooklyn, where Reilly prayed for 22 years, closed in 2012. Overall, some estimate, Monsignor Reilly saved over 100,000 lives through his prayer, sidewalk counseling, and training.

In a movement where politics and policy consistently garner most of the headlines, Monsignor Reilly’s consistent commitment to prayer and sidewalk counseling made an exceptionally powerful contribution to a culture of life in both New York City and around the world.  Gone too soon. R.I,P.