Awakening. Transforming. Healing.

Awake is a community of abuse survivors, concerned Catholics, and allies responding to the wounds of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.

Now is the time to awake from sleeP.

~ Romans 13:11

Letter to

Survivors

If you have experienced sexual abuse by a Catholic leader, we are glad you have found your way to this website. We would be honored to connect with you.

 

We invite all Catholics to add their names to this letter as a gesture of solidarity and support.

Centering the
Voices of Survivors

“Being among survivors who are facing their own trauma is a great gift. Often we don’t have to say a single word, but we understand each other and can feel safe.”

—Deborah

“I have learned that being a female survivor of adult abuse is not as unusual as it seemed to me for many years… Survivors are not limited to the ones you see on the TV news. Sometimes we are sitting in a pew next to you.”

—Patty

“I told the bishop and my superiors about the abuse, not for any personal gain, but so that it would stop. It haunted me that I never got any guarantees that this man was disciplined or dealt with… No one in the Church should ever have to beg for justice.”

—Carl

  • “Healing is seeping through my life because of Awake.”

    —Amy, Survivor

  • “Awake has given me a way to focus my frustration and anger about the crisis in our Church by turning it into action.”

    —Patty, Board Member

  • “As a clergy abuse survivor who has felt alone and isolated, it is really powerful to see so many good people involved on behalf of healing wounds caused by abuse.”

    —Mike, Survivor

  • “Awake has been a lighthouse in the storm. During a time of extreme distress, Awake offered our family a place of refuge, compassion, and genuine concern.”

    —Jolene, Sister of a Survivor

  • “I have seen Awake make survivor voices a priority in everything they do. Awake is doing this ministry like no other Catholic organization.”

    —Natalie, Survivor

  • “Awake is a very real, palpable source of hope for the Church today.”

    —Fr. Tom, Board Member

  • “I make a monthly donation to Awake because I am inspired and in awe of the work you do. We must keep the sexual abuse crisis in the church in focus as we work toward healing.”

    —Sue, Donor

  • “Awake began as a tiny mustard seed and is now a blessing to so many. This is certainly the working of the Holy Spirit.”

    —Deacon Larry, Survivor

We invite you to join us.

 

Upcoming Events

(All events are virtual unless otherwise noted)

Featured
Courageous Conversation: Abuse and Systems of Power (Part 1)
Courageous Conversation: Abuse and Systems of Power (Part 2)
The Spiritual Practice of Lament
March Courageous Conversation (Part 1)
March Courageous Conversation (Part 2)
 

Latest Blog Posts

Featured
Advent Prayer Service Centers Survivors’ Art
Praying As a Community, Spirituality and Healing
Advent Prayer Service Centers Survivors’ Art
Praying As a Community, Spirituality and Healing

Members of the Awake community gathered this week for a unique Advent service that created space for attendees to meditate on songs, poetry, paintings, and other art created by people who have experienced harm in the Church.

Praying As a Community, Spirituality and Healing
Amy Pearce
Survivor Stories
Amy Pearce
Survivor Stories

“I want other survivors to be reassured that what happened was not their fault, that they are not alone, and that they are both lovable and loved.”


Survivor Stories
The Power of Pets in Trauma Healing
Spirituality and Healing
The Power of Pets in Trauma Healing
Spirituality and Healing

Many survivors in the Awake community say pets have been key in helping them heal from the trauma of abuse. To understand why animals can be so beneficial, we spoke to Philip Tedeschi, clinical professor in the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Denver and founder of the Institute for Human-Animal Connection.

Spirituality and Healing