April 19–25 is National Infertility Awareness Week, recognizing the 1 in 6 people globally impacted by infertility.
For Catholic couples — whose vows include a promise to “accept children lovingly from God” — infertility can be especially painful. Ann Koshute, founder of Springs in the Desert, told Aleteia:
Couples who are going through infertility often feel isolated and alone, and particularly within the Church. They sometimes feel like they can't live up to the sort of “Catholic ideal” of the family. When their very good desire for children goes unfulfilled, they can have spiritual crises as well. You know—where is God? Has he forgotten about me?
For those looking to support infertile couples, a great place to start is with Koshute’s Springs in the Desert (SD), a Catholic ministry that accompanies those struggling with infertility.
SD offers a rich set of resources: a blog, a podcast, in-person retreats and small groups, and a very helpful digital toolkit for parishes and dioceses.
This ministry began when two friends — Ann Koshute and Kimberly Henkel, theologians who met at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family — discovered that both were carrying the cross of infertility.
“We started it because we were not finding the kind of pastoral resources, the spiritual and emotional support and accompaniment, that we needed,” Koshute told Aleteia.
As someone who faces infertility herself and has walked in accompaniment with hundreds of infertile couples, Koshute shared this message:
You are not alone. God loves you, and you have such potential for fruitfulness—a kind of fruitfulness that is essential in the world, and that only you can fulfill.
Mother’s Day is one of the hardest days of the year for many in this group, so this week is a chance to spread awareness before it.
Koshute generously shared with Aleteia a list of resources for couples facing infertility to find support.
1Scripture and Saints for the Path of Infertility
Springs in the Desert collaborated with Ascension to offer Scripture and Saints for the Path of Infertility, a 15-episode series free to all users in the Ascension App.
The series shares stories to help listeners grow closer to Christ and deeper in faith while walking the path of infertility and loss. It’s paired with a nine-episode Marian Novena for couples in a season of infertility, loss, and grief. Koshute said:
We’re so grateful and excited to partner with Ascension. When a couple is faithful in this really hard cross, they are incredible witnesses to the love of God in the world.
Sensitive pastoral accompaniment and greater awareness of the need for it in the Church are essential. This collaboration will reach many couples who feel isolated and alone, and it will help them feel seen and understood.
2Book: Infertile but Fruitful
Another great resource is Leigh Fitzpatrick Snead’s book, Infertile but Fruitful: Finding Fulfillment When You Can't Conceive. The author said, “This is the book I wish I’d had as a young Catholic bride in her twenties, facing unexplained infertility, and aside from my husband’s unfailing and loving support, feeling so very alone.”
Besides helping those struggling with infertility, this candid and caring book is a tremendous resource for priests, physicians, counselors, and the loved ones of anyone bearing the cross of infertility.
3Your local diocese
Koshute shared that more and more dioceses are offering support and resources to infertile couples, often through the Family Life Office or Respect Life Office. It’s worth reaching out to them to see if there are any local support groups.
And if there aren’t? SD has some practical steps to kick off a support group.
4Social media: Catholic infertility
Several Catholic couples share their experiences on social media to help others struggling with infertility know they are not alone. Here are a few Instagram pages to get started:
And of course… Springs in the Desert
5Books and website: White Lotus Blooming
This website offers a range of resources for Catholic women facing infertility. The creator, Mary Bruno, also wrote a memoir and prayer companion.
Our hope is that these resources will help couples truly to know that they are not alone, finding the accompaniment and support they need to carry this cross.
