“John Francis Harvey is born on April 14, 1918 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the third of four children of Patrick J. and Margaret (née Harkins) Harvey. He is baptized on April 28 at St. Columba Parish in Philadelphia. St. Columba Parish (now St. Martin de Porres) ”
— 1918
“Margaret Harvey dies on February 22, at the age of 35, when John Francis is not yet four years old. His father Patrick works hard as a single parent to provide for, and raise his four children. ”
— 1922
“John Harvey attends St. Columba’s parochial school run by the Sisters of St. Joseph. ”
— 1924 - 1932
“John Harvey attends Northeast Catholic High School (aka “North Catholic”) run by the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. He is on the Honour Roll every year and also participates in the Classical Club and in Sectional Sports. The Classical Club at North Catholic (pic from 1936 edition of “The Falcon” yearbook)”
— 1932 - 1936
“John Harvey graduates from Northeast Catholic High School. He turns down scholarships from three colleges and enters the novitiate of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales in Childs, Maryland on July 6.”
— 1936
“John Harvey makes his first profession of vows on September 8, 1937 in Wilmington, Delaware.”
— 1937
“John Harvey makes his perpetual vows on September 8, 1940 in Wilmington, Delaware.”
— 1940
“John Harvey earns his Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. ”
— 1941
“John Harvey (hereafter referred to as Fr. Harvey) is ordained on June 3rd at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia. He celebrates his first Solemn Mass on June 4th at St. Columba Catholic Church, the same Church in which he was baptized 26 years earlier. Fr. John Harvey is in the front row, second from the left. ”
— 1944
“Fr. Harvey teaches at Northeast Catholic High School in Philadelphia, the same high school he attended. ”
— 1945 - 1947
“Fr. Harvey receives an MA in Psychology from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.”
— 1946
“Fr. Harvey is a graduate student at The Catholic University of America. This leads to him becoming a Professor of Moral Theology.”
— 1947 - 1951
“Fr. Harvey receives an S.T.L. in Moral Theology from Catholic University of America, School of Divinity.”
— 1948
“Fr. Harvey teaches Moral Theology at Dunbarton College in Washington, D.C. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Theodor Horydczak Collection, LC-H814-T-2561-002 ”
— 1948 - 1973
“Fr. Harvey teaches Moral Theology at the DeSales Hall School of Theology in Hyattsville, Maryland.”
— 1949 - 1987
“Fr. Harvey completes his Doctorate in Moral Theology at The Catholic University of America, School of Divinity. His dissertation is entitled ‘Moral Theology of the Confessions of Saint Augustine’. Fr. Harvey with his sister Margaret Harvey Smith on day of conferment ceremony. ”
— 1951
“Fr. Harvey is president of the DeSales Hall School of Theology.”
— 1965 - 1977
“Fr. Harvey is recommended to Terence Cardinal Cooke, Archbishop of New York, by Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR (then OFM Cap.). Cardinal Cooke wishes to provide spiritual support and encouragement to those experiencing same-sex attractions who desire to lead chaste, faithful Catholic lives. Fr. Groeschel believes Fr. Harvey will be able to assist the Cardinal in establishing such a ministry. ”
— 1978
“After two years of preparation, Fr. Harvey starts the Courage Apostolate. The first meeting is held on September 26, 1980 at the Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in NYC, pictured below. Fr. Harvey faithfully serves as Executive Director of this apostolate through 2008 overseeing its growth into an international ministry which continues to thrive and grow today. A detailed history of the Courage Apostolate itself can be found in Courage: A Ministry of Hope by James A. Beers. Beyond My Ken, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons”
— 1980
“Fr. Harvey is President of the Cluster of Independent Theological Schools (DeSales Hall School of Theology, Dominican House of Studies, Oblate College) in Washington, DC and also serves there as a Professor of Moral Theology. ”
“Fr. Harvey receives an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (Assumption College) for pastoral writings on St. Augustine.”
— 1986
“Fr. Harvey’s book “The Homosexual Person: New Thinking in Pastoral Care” is published by Ignatius Press. Cardinal John J. O’Connor says of the book “Virtually every sentence reflects the gentle concern of this dedicated priest who struggles always to understand and to teach with authenticity and integrity.” ”
— 1987
“Fr. Harvey teaches sexual medical ethics at Allentown College (renamed DeSales University in April 2000) in Center Valley, PA.”
— 1987 - 2009
“Fr. Harvey receives an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales) for pastoral work. Father also receives the Cardinal Wright Award (Fellowship of Catholic Scholars) for outstanding service in the Church.”
— 1988
“Fr. Harvey serves as a weekend associate pastor at St. Francis of Assisi parish in Springfield, Pennsylvania. Image from St. Francis parish website ”
— 1990 - 2009
“Fr. Harvey celebrates the 50th Anniversary of his ordination with members of Courage, the apostolate he founded. This celebration is held on June 2nd, 1994, the day before his actual anniversary. ”
— 1994
“Fr. Harvey’s book “The Truth About Homosexuality” is published by Ignatius Press. Fr. Benedict Groeschel describes the book as offering wise counsel, intelligent discussion, and the bright light of hope. ”
— 1996
“Fr. Harvey receives the Courage in Faith “Coraggio” award from Franciscan University of Steubenville on July 12th.”
— 1998
“Fr. Harvey is awarded the Cardinal Cooke Medal of Peace on October 6 during a special Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York. The Cardinal Cooke Medal of Peace, established in 1988, recognizes people who exemplify the life of Christ in this world. It is awarded annually at the Memorial Mass for Cardinal Cooke. ”
— 2003
“Fr. Harvey’s book “Homosexuality and the Catholic Church - Clear Answers to Difficult Questions” is published by Ascension Press. Cardinal Raymond Burke says that “in these pages, Fr. Harvey helps us all to think more clearly and to act more rightly and lovingly...” ”
— 2007
“On July 24th, a Chair in Moral Theology at DeSales University is named after Fr. John Harvey, OSFS. It is established by the Board of Trustees of the university, and endowed by donations from Fr. Harvey’s friends and supporters.
On October 29th, Fr. Harvey retires as Executive Director of Courage, while continuing to serve the ministry as Director Emeritus.”
— 2008
“Fr. Harvey retires to Annecy Hall, Childs MD, in January.
He receives the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars Founder’s Award at their Annual Convention in Baltimore, in September.
✝️ Fr. Harvey dies of natural causes on December 27th, the Feast of St. John the Beloved, at 3:00 p.m., the hour of Divine Mercy, at Union Hospital in Elkton, MD. The Mass of Christian Burial is held on December 31st at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Wilmington, DE, followed by interment at the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales’ Cemetery in Elkton, MD. ”
— 2010
“On February 7th, a Facebook page is established in memory of Father Harvey. Originally called “Father John F. Harvey, OSFS - Memorial Page”, it is later changed to “Remembering Father John F. Harvey, OSFS” and now is simply known as “The Father John Harvey Guild” Facebook page.
At present, the page has over 1000 followers. ”
— 2013
“In August of this year, a new residence hall named after Father Harvey opens at De Sales University. Harvey Hall, part of the University Village, provides apartment-style lodging for upperclassmen.
“On October 7th, the Feast of the Holy Rosary 🌹, the Father Harvey website frjohnharvey.com is officially launched.
.”
— 2021
“On April 14th, 2023, the 105th anniversary of Father Harvey’s birthday, the establishment of the Father John Harvey Guild is formally announced on social media and on the Father Harvey website.
The Guild aims to share the life, spirituality, and ministry of Father Harvey with the world and with the Church, and also prays fervently for the opening of Father’s cause for beatification and canonization. Later this year, an article about the Guild is published in the National Catholic Register.”
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