Rachel’s Vineyard, the world’s largest post-abortion healing ministry, integrating emotional, psychological, and spiritual recovery. Since 1993, the program has expanded to 49 states, 70+ countries, and 22 languages. A ministry of Priests for Life, it offers retreats using Living Scripture Exercises and therapeutic techniques to aid trauma recovery.

  250,000+ 

    Participants Globally    

  30+ years  

      of Healing Ministry      

   70+  

    in Countries   

  400+ 

Retreats Annually

  200+ 

 Sites worldwide 

Founders

Founded in 1994, Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats now ministers internationally.

Smiling person wearing glasses and earrings, standing outdoors with a cloudy sky and green landscape in the background.

  • Founder

    Theresa has trained professionals internationally on post-abortion trauma and authored Forbidden Grief, The Contraception of Grief, and Sharing the Heart of Christ. She also developed Grief to Grace for abuse survivors and Duty to Heal for veterans. Future programs will address trauma from genocide and medical treatments.

    A Nationally Certified Psychologist with a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, Theresa has worked in bereavement, pregnancy loss, and women’s issues. She co-founded Covenant Family Resources and previously ran Mother’s Home, a crisis pregnancy residence. She and her husband have five children.

Man in formal attire standing indoors with religious symbols in the background

  • Co-Founder

    Kevin, a Pastoral Associate of Rachel’s Vineyard and a Bryn Mawr graduate, speaks on abortion’s impact on men, couples, and families. He authored Tears of the Fisherman and Rivers of Blood/Oceans of Mercy and has contributed to numerous articles. A frequent media guest, he has appeared on EWTN and Gospel of Life.

    Previously, Kevin was the administrator of Mother's Home, a crisis pregnancy residence, and a clinical social work supervisor for Catholic Social Services in Philadelphia.

Two hands holding each other over a white sheet, with sunlight casting soft shadows.

Dear friend,

I would like to personally welcome you to Rachel's Vineyard!

If the emotional and spiritual wounds of a past abortion have been sapping faith, love and joy from your life, I can promise, that if you enter this process for healing, your life will begin to change.

A journey into Rachel's Vineyard is a gift only you can open your heart to receive. The spiritual process of reconciliation with yourself, with God and your lost child will truly result in wholeness and freedom and a difference you will be able to feel inside your heart. This healing process will give you a deeper compassion for yourself. It's also a journey that will give you a new appreciation of your strength and courage.

By traveling a path of healing in Rachel's Vineyard, you will experience an end to isolation, despair and hopelessness. You will have the potential to revisit abandoned goals and dreams, and articulate your truest and deepest desires for your future.

Whatever your fears or hesitations may be, I encourage you to take the steps toward receiving the healing and peace that you deserve. Rachel's Vineyard provides a tried and true journey that over 100,000 women and men have traveled. You can be confident that there are wonderful people in Rachel's Vineyard who are ready and eager to accompany you.

You are not alone. A new chapter of your life awaits you. Take courage, God is calling you towards peace, love, hope, and freedom.


Dr. Theresa Burke
Founder, Rachel's Vineyard Ministries

Smiling woman with glasses and blonde hair standing outdoors with a cloudy sky in the background.

Why Rachel’s Vineyard?

In order to heal a loss, that loss must first be acknowledged and grieved. The pathway to healing for post-abortive women, men, and loved ones who carry the pain of past abortion experiences is not meant to be walked alone.

Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat is an opportunity to examine your abortion experience and identify the ways that the loss has impacted you in the past and present. It guides you safely through the process of breaking isolation and gently letting go from sorrow to peace; by embracing God’s mercy.

Why Rachel?

Thus says the Lord:
In Ramah is heard the sound of moaning,
of bitter weeping!
Rachel mourns her children,
she refuses to be consoled because her children are no more.
Thus says the Lord:
Cease your cries of mourning,
wipe the tears from your eyes.
The sorrow you have shown shall have its reward, says the Lord.
There is hope for your future!

Why Vineyard?

Remain united in me,
and I will remain united to you.
A branch cannot bear fruit by itself;
it can do so only if it remains in the vine.
In the same way, you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me.

I am the vine, you are the branches
Whoever remains in me, and I in him,
will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me.