Catholic Churches Nationwide Hold Special Services for Babies Lost to Miscarriage and Stillbirth

During the month of October, Catholic dioceses throughout the United States are offering Masses of remembrance and healing for pregnancy and infant loss.

Nationwide, October 15 has been designated as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day as a way of bringing consolation and healing to grieving parents who have lost an infant as a result of miscarriage, stillbirth, abortion, or early infant death.

Below is a partial list of dioceses and ministries offering Masses and resources for those who have suffered the death of a child.

Red Bird Ministries

• Wave of Light Mass of Remembrance: 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 15
• Red Bird Ministries will host a virtual Mass of Remembrance to remember and honor the lives of children: “We will light a candle for all babies gone too soon.”

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Diocese of Wilmington, Delaware

• The Office for Marriage and Family Life and Footprints, the Diocesan Miscarriage Ministry, sponsors an annual Mass of Remembrance and Healing for Pregnancy and Infant Loss called the Footprints Mass: 9:30 a.m. Sunday, October 20, St. John the Beloved Church, Wilmington, Delaware
• “A special invitation is extended to parents, grandparents and siblings who grieve the death of children as a result of miscarriage, stillbirth, abortion or early infant death.”

Archdiocese of Detroit, Michigan

• Bishop Arturo Cepeda will celebrate a bilingual Mass with prayers for Pregnancy and Infant Loss Month 11 a.m. Sunday, October 27, at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament
• “Parents and families who have suffered the loss of a child will be invited to receive a memorial rosary and a special blessing from the bishop. There will be an opportunity after Mass to inscribe the names of children lost to miscarriage and stillbirth in the memorial Book of Innocents and to venerate a relic of St. Gerard. Couples praying for the gift of children will also be invited to receive prayers and a blessing.”

Diocese of Tyler, Texas

• In conjunction with the October 15 Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, Holy Hours and Masses will be held across the Diocese of Tyler for anyone who has experienced the loss of a child by miscarriage, stillbirth, or early infant death.
• Tuesday, October 15, Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Jacksonville: Mass in Spanish at 7 p.m.
• Thursday, October 17, St. Patrick Catholic Church, Lufkin: Holy Hour begins at 6 p.m., followed by Mass at 7 p.m.
• Friday, October 18, St. Edward’s Historic Church, Athens: Holy Hour begins at 5 p.m., followed by Mass in Spanish at 6 p.m.
• Monday, October 21, St. James Catholic Church, Sulphur Springs: Holy Hour begins at 5 p.m., followed by Mass at 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, October 22, St. Mary Magdalene Church, Flint: Mass at 6 p.m.

Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana  

• The Diocese invites the faithful to join a special Memorial Mass “to pray together with others who have suffered the loss of their children before or after birth, including through miscarriage and abortion. Take home a silk rose in honor of your child(ren). Siblings and grandparents are also welcome.”
• English Memorial Mass:
  Friday, October 18 at 5:45 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Church, Fort Wayne
• Spanish Memorial Mass:
  Thursday, October 17 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Church, Fort Wayne

Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina

• Mass of Consolation: 9 a.m. Saturday, November 16, St. Mark Church, Huntersville

Archdiocese of Boston, Massachusetts

• “All are welcome to attend the Annual Mass of Remembrance and experience the profound peace, love and mercy of Christ. A special invitation is extended to parents, grandparents and siblings who grieve the death of children as a result of miscarriage, stillbirth or abortion. These losses may be recent or extend over many years. Sacramental Reconciliation (Confession) will be available after Mass. He is Divine Mercy and Consolation. Be Comforted in His Tender Embrace.”
• Annual Mass of Remembrance and Healing for Pregnancy & Infant Loss:
  7 p.m. Wednesday, November 20, at Archdiocese of Boston Bethany Chapel, Pastoral Center, 66 Brooks Drive, Braintree. Homilist: Rev. J. Bryan Hehir.

Other pregnancy loss ministries and resources:

Elizabeth Ministry provides spiritual and emotional support to women and families who have suffered miscarriage, stillbirth, or other pregnancy losses. The ministry offers resources, support groups, and educational materials.

Catholic Miscarriage Support was started by two Catholic couples to provide practical support for other couples who have lost a child through miscarriage.

Nursery of Heaven: Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss In the Lives of the Saints and Today’s Parents is a book to “help those grieving from child loss as they search for comfort and meaning.” “Couples will encounter the experiences of holy people who suffered loss, such as Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin, St. Gianna Molla, and Servant of God Chiara Corbella Petrillo. Parents will also receive hope and consolation from firsthand stories of modern-day parents who have experienced similar losses.”

Book of Blessings: Order for Blessing of Parents After a Miscarriage

Diocese of St. Louis Rite for Naming and Commendation of an Infant Who Died Before Birth

EWTN Resource for Blessing of Parents After a Miscarriage

LifeNews Note: Louis Knuffke writes for CatholicVote, where this column originally appeared.

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