A Message from St. John Paul II
“I would now like to say a special word to women who have had an abortion. The Church is aware of the many factors which may have influenced your decision, and she does not doubt that in many cases it was a painful and even shattering decision. The wound in your heart may not yet have healed. Certainly what happened was and remains terribly wrong. But do not give in to discouragement and do not lose hope. Try rather to understand what happened and face it honestly. If you have not already done so, give yourselves over with humility and trust to repentance. The Father of mercies is ready to give you his forgiveness and his peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. To the same Father and his mercy you can with sure hope entrust your child. With the friendly and expert help and advice of other people, and as a result of your own painful experience, you can be among the most eloquent defenders of everyone’s right to life. Through your commitment to life, whether by accepting the birth of other children or by welcoming and caring for those most in need of someone to be close to them, you will become promoters of a new way of looking at human life.” (Evangelium Vitae no. 99, John Paul II)
Learn more about Project Rachel from Vicki Thorn, foundress and the executive director of the National Office of Post-Abortion Reconciliation & Healing located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
DRVC March for Life 2021
Post Abortion Healing Testimony
Hope after Abortion
Upcoming Opportunity for Prayer & Healing
Saturday, May 15, 2021
Please register by Monday, May 10, 2021.
All reservations and information will remain confidential.
For more information see frequently asked question tab below.
Register for Day of Prayer & Healing
Additional Resources
Hope After Abortion
hopeafterabortion.com | En Español: esperanzaposaborto.org
Project Rachel Brochure | Proyecto Raquel
Sisters of Life
866.575.0075 (toll free) | hopeandhealing@sistersoflife.org | www.sistersoflife.org
Lumina (Theresa Bonopartis)
877.586.4621 (toll free) | lumina@postabortionhelp.org | www.postabortionhelp.org
Prayers & Blessings
Prayer for the Ministry of Project Rachel
Father, source of healing and forgiveness, we pray for all parents overwhelmed by grief and sorrow at the loss of their son or daughter to abortion: You never abandon those who hope in you; so we pray that the hearts of those wounded by their abortion might be open to your Divine Mercy that they would know the grace of repentance and so experience the embrace of the Father. We pray that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, so rich in love and compassion, may hear the cry and see the tears of each of these mothers and fathers so He may heal their broken hearts and restore them to life. Give these grieving mothers and fathers the consolation of believing and trusting that her child is now living in the Lord that this may soothe the terror of their soul. We pray that the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of all tenderness and our Mother, may strengthen their faith in You. We ask this through Christ our Lord, who conquered sin and death, and who lives with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
- Project Rachel Prayer
- A Prayer To Our Lady Of Guadalupe – (En Español)
- Prayer for Healing – (Oración de sanación)
Prayer: Trust in God’s Mercy
Gracious Father, I thank you for the mercy you have shown in forgiving my sins and for the peace that comes from being reconciled with you and with your Church. O God, you are faithful, and you never abandon those who hope in you. I know that my redemption from sin and death has been purchased at the cost of your Son’s blood. In return for this priceless gift, I resolve today to renew my trust in your unfailing mercy. In times of doubt, when painful memories of past sins threaten to destroy the peace you have given, let the power of your Holy Spirit cast out all self-condemnation and give me greater confidence in your word of pardon. Teach me to encourage others so they, too, may seek your tender compassion and come to know your peace, which nothing can take away. I pray this in the name of Jesus, your Son, in whom you have restored me to life. Amen.
Books & Articles
- Bridges of Mercy for Post-Abortion Healing – ( Vías De Misericordia Para La Sanación Posaborto )
- How to Talk to a Friend Who’s Had An Abortion – (Cómo hablarle a una amiga que ha tenido un aborto)
- Healing within Marriage from an Abortion – (La sanación en el matrimonio después de un aborto)
- Forgiveness And Healing After Abortion – (En Español)
- Pregnancy From Rape – (En Español)
- Portraits of Grief in the Aftermath of Abortion – (Retratos de sufrimiento por las secuelas del aborto)
- My Thoughts on Project Rachel – Blog (En Español)
- Project Rachel: In the Heart of the Church – Proyecto raquel: en el corazón de la iglesia
- Long Island Catholic Article – Project Rachel: Post Abortion Healing
- “The Hollow Men”: Male Grief and Trauma Following Abortion, Vincent M. Rue, Ph.D., Respect Life Program, 2008 (en español)
- Project Rachel: In the Heart of the Church, USCCB, 2007 (en español)
- Reclaiming Fatherhood, Life Insight, September/October 2007
- Divine Mercy in My Soul, by Theresa Bonopartis, 2000 (en español)
No One Told Me I Could Cry by Connie Corso Nykiel
Connie Corso Nykiel writes from her wealth of experience as a nurse working with pregnant young women and grieving women. Hers is a message of joy and hope for those who have experienced abortion. She reveals how it is only in grieving that they can find healing and truly be reconciled to God and their child. Through the guidance of an experienced professional, they can learn to cry and find fullness of life. This books is a treasured guide to healing for those who have experienced abortion. It also provides an abundance of information for teachers, counselors, pastors, social workers, health care workers and all those who work with post abortive and/or pregnant teens.
Confidential Phoneline
1-516-766-2538 or 1-888-456-HOPE (4673) se habla espanol
Email projectrachel@drvc.org to begin healing after abortion loss.