Linda Couri

Linda Couri of Libertyville, Ill., 42, is a Catholic wife and mother who works hard to maintain a deep prayer life, and strongly supports the Church’s teachings on the gospel of life. She serves as the director of lay ministry for the Archdiocese of Chicago.

It’s hard to believe that, just a decade ago, Couri was agnostic and contemptuous of Catholicism — and was a staunch advocate of legalized abortion who worked as a volunteer and employee for Planned Parenthood. In fact, she herself once had an abortion.

“I’ve come a long way,” Couri acknowledged. “And God has supported me through this process.”

Couri was born in Chicago and attended Catholic schools. She stopped going to Mass when she was 18 and clung to her newly acquired agnostic beliefs until she was 32, surrounding herself with like-minded people.