A quiet stillness filled the O’Malley-McAllister Auditorium on Feb. 25 as students and community members gathered for a conversation many said is rarely heard in public.
Hosted by the Ravens Respect Life club at Benedictine College, the talk featured Ann Maria Alvey, a counselor from Project Rachel, a Catholic ministry dedicated to post-abortion healing. Her message to the audience was simple: no wound is beyond hope.
Project Rachel began in 1984 to support those experiencing emotional and spiritual pain after abortion. Alvey explained that many individuals struggle in silence because they do not initially recognize the source of their suffering. Without specialized support, she said, people often turn to other coping mechanisms that fail to address the deeper hurt.
The presentation included testimonies and reflections from individuals who have participated in the ministry as well as information about resources available beyond campus. Attendees remained attentive throughout the talk, creating an atmosphere of reflection and empathy.
The ministry offers individual meetings, group programs and referrals to counselors as well as continued aftercare. Alvey described the pain she encounters as deeply personal and often physical in its intensity. Both women and men seek healing through the program though their experiences can differ.
“People need to know their pain,” Alvey said, emphasizing that acknowledging grief is a necessary step toward recovery.
Drawing from Scripture, Alvey connected the ministry’s name to the biblical Rachel, whose sorrow was met with a promise of hope. She told attendees that forgiveness is central to the healing process and noted that many participants struggle to forgive themselves even after seeking forgiveness from God. The ministry’s 10 week program integrates faith reflection with counseling to help rebuild relationships and restore a sense of peace.
Alvey also addressed how students can respond when someone shares their story. The most important action, she said, is to listen with compassion rather than judgment.
“Listen with your heart because it’s a heart wound they have,” she said.
For many in the audience, the topic resonated with Benedictine’s emphasis on community and care for the dignity of every person. Ravens Respect Life leaders said they hoped the event would encourage greater awareness of resources for those who are hurting and foster conversations marked by compassion.
Alvey concluded by reminding attendees that healing is possible even after profound loss. She encouraged students to carry what they learned into their relationships and future vocations.
“Have the knowledge and share the knowledge,” she said.
As the audience filed out quietly, the message lingered: despair does not have the final word, and hope often begins when someone is willing to listen.
