By His Wounds We Are Healed | | Message From Our Executive Director | | |
Dear Friends,
As we enter Holy Week we ponder the dramatic line: “By His wounds we are healed (1 Peter 2:24).” It seems a paradox to the ears; how can we be healed by someone else’s wounds? What heals us is the sacrifice of Our Lord and the incredible love He showed despite the scourging and crucifixion. The wounds inflicted on Our Lord are wounds caused by hatred, but His response was one of infinite love. Divine love is more powerful than all our accumulated sins. This consoles us beautifully for the Jubilee Year of Hope!
But why was the God of Love so hated by those He loved, and then even put to death? St. Augustine asked this same question 1600 years ago and answered it by saying we become so subtly engrossed in our own pride, that God’s entrance into the world, like for King Herod, becomes a threat to the little kingdoms we set up for ourselves. In humility we must admit that while we say we accept God fully, when called to absolute fidelity we can balk, like St. Peter or others, because of pride, habit, or because our world view cannot be wrong. But then comes the Passion of Our Lord, which, if we really apprehend, should melt our hearts with love and sorrow. It reminds us that every word Our Lord teaches us is salve for the soul; it has a healing property that works wonders. God is incredibly patient and loving; He walks with us as we struggle to grow in perfection. We deny Him, and yet like the prodigal son’s father, He awaits us nevertheless with dynamic love and mercy.
The Ten Commandments, the Sermon on the Mount, every parable, the temptations in the desert, and of course the Passion and death, all become striking words and images meant to jar us out of worldly distractions and remind us of the things of eternity. When we contemplate God becomes a man who has His flesh ripped from His bones, who is derided and humiliated by all of us, then crucified, we are called to recognize life must change, that the restlessness I feel each day is rooted in the desire to be healed in my soul from pride, from sin, from my own fragility that is desperate for God’s stunning, ever healing divine love. When Christ is followed, the soul has peace; when resisted, anger, resentment, and grudges only grow.
This helps manifest the power of sacramental confession. In history, we see saints frequent confession. St. John Paul II and St. Teresa of Calcutta went once a week, as did many others. The Church does say to confess sins at least once a year. How about once a month? The healing experienced in confession comes from the deep contrition one feels for sins and the supernatural grace of God. How to go to confession? Just enter and ask the priest; he will be happy to help. Confession cultivates peace, strength, and hope deep in the engine room of our soul. By His wounds God gave us confession; through it we are healed of sin and despair. In fact, only by His wounds do we have hope of eternal glory.
The Venerable Pope Pius XII said it well: But to ensure more rapid progress day by day in the path of virtue, We will that the pious practice of frequent confession, which was introduced into the Church by the inspiration of the Holy spirit, should be earnestly advocated. By it genuine self-knowledge is increased, Christian humility grows, bad habits are corrected, spiritual neglect and tepidity are resisted, the conscience is purified, the will strengthened, a salutary self-control is attained, and grace is increased in virtue of the Sacrament itself.
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Father Brian Gannon
Executive Director
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Look Out:
2025 Courage & EnCourage Annual Conference Registration Opens Soon!
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July 31 - August 1
Neumann University, Aston, PA
Courage International's Annual Conference will take its theme from the Jubilee Year of Hope. The presenters shall focus on how the mercy of God experienced in our lives gives substance to what we hope for: everlasting union with God and all that is necessary to achieve it.
As Pope Francis stated in the Papal Bull declaring the Jubilee Year, "Hope is the virtue that, so to speak, gives inward direction and purpose to the life of believers. For this reason, the apostle Paul encourages us to “rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, and persevere in prayer” (Rom 12:12). Surely, we need to “abound in hope” (cf. Rom 15:13), so that we may bear credible and attractive witness to the faith and love that dwell in our hearts."
Through encountering the merciful face of God we become witnesses to His promises. The saints testify to this with their lives.
Registration will open on May 1st!
(Don't worry - we'll send you an email with all the details)
In the meantime, check out just a couple of the amazing speakers who will be joining us at this year's conference:
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Amy Hamilton
Amy Hamilton has been a social worker, a Fulbright scholar to Indonesia, a Sexuality Research Fellow, and an Assistant Professor. She received her Ph.D. in Linguistics from the University of Texas at Austin in 2004. Her dissertation focused on the life narratives of Christians who had experienced conflicts between their spiritual and sexual identity. She is currently a research associate at the University of Texas at Austin and writes on topics related to marriage, faith, gender, and sexuality. Amy has also given hope to many through sharing her story of personal transformation in Christ. Formerly lesbian-identified, Amy's own journey with same-sex attraction and identity confusion, combined with her academic knowledge, gives her a voice of unique authority amidst the contentious cultural conversations of the day.
Amy's conference talk is titled "Love Would Not Allow What Love Could Not Restore: Guarding the Open Future amidst LGBT+ Experiences."
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Dr. William Junker
William Junker is Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas. He teaches classes ranging from The Search for Happiness to Dante’s Comedy, and particularly enjoys working through scripture and lyric poetry with his students.
Dr. Junker will speak on "Jesus’ Daring and Dangerous Pedagogy: The Parable of the Prodigal Son."
| | Courage Family and Friends | | |
April brings us the birthdays of two important men and Fathers of the Courage Apostolate: Fr. James Lloyd, CSP (a part of our apostolate for 30 years, who would have turned 104 on April 4) and Fr. John Harvey, OSFS (our founder, who would have turned 107 on April 14). Although both of these great priests are no longer with us, we continue to honor their legacy and ask for their intercession in our lives and work. You can find Fr. Lloyd's blog here, and learn more about Fr. Harvey (and join the Father John Harvey Guild!) here.
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We would also like to remind you about the Person and Identity Project, which is an excellent resource for all Courage and EnCourage members and chaplains! On their website, you will find formation resources, and pastoral guidance on issues of faith, gender, and sexual identity. We are honored that the Person and Identity Project co-founder and director, Mary Hasson, serves on the Courage Board. Start here with The Basics and allow yourself to explore all that they have to offer!
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Finally, check out this interview with Fr. Paul Check from the Southern Nebraska Register. Fr. Check is a former executive director of the Courage apostolate! The conversation included the biggest moral threat the Church faces today, the Church’s current outreach to persons with same-sex attraction, and where Father Check sees the greatest sign of hope in the Church during the current Jubilee Year of Hope. You can read the interview here.
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| | 2025 Monthly Prayer Intentions | | New Chapters and Ways to Stay Connected | | |
NEW CHAPTERS:
COURAGE:
EnCOURAGE:
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Courage & EnCourage
around the world
| | Remember to Help Us Keep Chapter Information Up-To-Date! | | |
Do you know if the information for your chapter is accurate on the Courage website? Do you know about a recent change in your chapter? Please take a look at your chapter listing on our website and let us know if there have been any changes. Chapters are organized by state and diocese for both Courage and EnCourage.
You can submit changes directly through our form. Thanks for keeping us informed! Keeping this updated and accurate means that any person who reaches out can find help and support near them.
| | Truth & Love, an initiative of Courage International, is a multifaceted Catholic resource for anyone seeking the tools to support men and women who experience same-sex attractions. | |
| Resources We Think You'll Love | | | | As Fr. Gannon mentioned in his message above, Holy Week is an excellent time to receive the sacrament of confession (no matter how long it's been since you last went!). If you're in need of some extra guidance, check out this video "How to Go to Confession" with Fr. David Michael Moses. Remember, by Christ's wounds we are healed - and he wants to heal you! | | |
In the garden of Gethsemane, while Jesus is in anguish anticipating his agony and death, his disciples fail to stay awake and accompany him. Even our Lord experienced an intense loneliness and longing for companionship in his suffering. However, what is the difference between being alone and being lonely - and does being alone have to be a bad thing? This is explored in a short article from The Raphael Remedy, titled "Finding Solace in Solitude: A Catholic Perspective on Loneliness and Aloneness." We think it's worth your time to take a look!
| | Lastly, our chaplains might be interested in viewing this video of former executive director Fr. Philip Bochanski speaking on how to preach about same sex attraction. This talk, from 2017, was recently brought up at a chaplain's meeting as a great resource for everyone to keep in their back pocket. You can watch or listen here! | | | Take a look at this personal invitation for Courage and EnCourage members to attend an upcoming training by Desert Stream Ministries: | | We always love having members of Courage and EnCourage join us at our Desert Stream events! Don’t miss our upcoming Living Waters Training: Equipping Through Immersion in Kansas City from July 12-17, 2025. Sign up today and use promo code COURAGE2025 to save $100! https://www.desertstream.org/groupeve... | | |
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Visit our YouTube channel for lots of helpful content like these resources!
Subscribe, like, and share to spread the word.
| | For Spanish Speaking Members and Friends | | There's a lot going on in the Courage and EnCourage apostolate all over the world! Don't forget that our website can be viewed in Spanish, and that there is a Spanish language newsletter sent out on the same day as our English one! | | Find More Ways to Journey With Christ | |
Sports Camp
May 22-25, 2025
Philadelphia, PA
Sports Camp is a dynamic men’s weekend of athletics, fellowship, and prayer designed for members of Courage and other men who experience same-sex attractions and who also desire to develop and live the virtue of chastity, regardless of past sports experience or ability.
Learn more and register here - early bird pricing ends April 19!
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Clergy Study Day
July 30, 2025
Neumann University, Aston, PA
(Archdiocese of Philadelphia)
Registration opens May 1st!
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Courage and EnCourage Annual Conference
July 31-August 3, 2025
Neumann University, Aston, PA
(Archdiocese of Philadelphia)
Registration opens May 1st!
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Encuentro
August 29-31, 2025
For our Spanish-speaking members; this year, we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of Courage in Mexico!
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Courage and EnCourage Southern CA Retreat
November 14-16, 2025
El Carmelo Reatreat House, Redlands, CA
Mark your calendars; more information to come soon!
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Watch our Events Calendar regularly for updates.
NOTE TO CHAPLAINS: You are encouraged and more than welcome to participate in all Courage & EnCourage events. Please feel free to reach out to the event organizer to see how you can be involved.
| | Disclaimer: Courage does not necessarily fully endorse all of the ideas included in resources that are not produced by Courage, but we still like to share items that we and our members have found to have considerable helpful content. | | | | |
