On Feb. 22, Bishop Barry C. Knestout joined 22 of the faithful on a brisk and sunny morning outside Planned Parenthood in Richmond to lead them in the Joyful Mysteries of the rosary.

Participants included parishioners of St. Benedict, Richmond; Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Richmond; Our Lady of Lourdes, Richmond; St. Bridget, Richmond; St. Peter, Richmond; and St. Joseph, Richmond. Father Tony Marques, rector of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, was also present.

40 Days for Life is a twice-annual campaign in which volunteers gather outside of abortion clinics to pray for life, from conception to natural death. The spring campaign runs from Feb. 14 (Ash Wednesday) to March 24 (Palm Sunday).

“There’s a sadness of death here, but there’s always a joy of grace that can give us hope,” said Bishop Knestout. “The the Joyful Mysteries of the rosary are associated with the pregnancy of Our Lady, the conception and birth of Our Lord, and his infancy. They are really about the joy of life that we should always uphold.”