Mary’s Pro-Life Boot Camp is a ministry of the Franciscan Daughters of Mary, a religious community dedicated to upholding the dignity of every human person from the moment of conception to natural death.
Our goal at Mary's prolife Bootcamp is to empower youth to become the pro-life leaders of today. Our events seek to educate youth on pro-life issues, strengthen their faith, build character, develop peer relationships and community, as well as promote opportunities to serve our community.
About Mary's Prolife Bootcamp
Education
Mary's pro-life bootcamp events seek to educate youth on a variety of pro-life issues. Topics may include abortion, adoption, the dignity of the human person, fetal development, euthanasia, human cloning, gender ideology, stem cell research, and other issues, all presented on a level appropriate for the age group involved. All speakers are specially selected by the sisters.
Faith
Mary's pro-life bootcamp is deeply rooted in the Catholic faith. Daily Mass is an integral part of both bootcamp events. The rosary and divine mercy chaplet are included as part of the schedule, and our students are also introduced to the Divine Office.
In addition, students have the opportunity to participate in the local pro-life mass and prayer procession to planned parenthood. This is a peaceful prayer event, which families are welcome to attend.
Non-catholic students are welcome to attend Mary's prolife bootcamp, and are invited to pray along with us in whatever way they are comfortable.
Building Character and peer community
It is our hope that in providing students with the education and resources needed, opportunities to grow in faith, as well as a strong support group of pro-life friends, they will find the confidence and courage needed to become the great pro-life leaders we so desperately need in our times.
Students are grouped into "platoons" during bootcamp. As a group, they chose a name and a patron saint for their group. Platoons will meet as small groups for discussion and develop a skit or presentation to put on for their families on the last day of camp. Each platoon has a captain- an adult chaperone whom the sisters have specially chosen for their leadership skills, team spirit, compassion, and faith.
Service
Our bootcamp events seek to emphasis the importance of service, debunking the common myth that pro-lifers only care about people before they are born.
Our last day of high school bootcamp is a service day. Students are invited to pray about what God may be asking them to get involved in, and are invited to make a private commitment to some spiritual or corporal work of Mercy. Each student brings their commitment forward to be placed in a basket before the altar during Mass. The rest of the day is spent serving at the pregnancy/family care center and food pantry at the Rose Garden Mission, an apostolate of the Franciscan Daughters of Mary.
Middle school students enjoy putting together gift bags for new mothers, as well as decorating baby onesies to be donated to the Rose Garden's pregnancy center.
