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When parents lose a child, they grieve forever. The loss can leave parents feeling that nobody else understands their pain.
One thing that can help is connecting with other grieving parents. Being in a situation where everyone around you understands what you’re going through can bring relief and needed support.
These 5 ministries exist specifically for Catholic parents who’ve lost a child. Some are exclusively for those who’ve lost children through miscarriage, stillbirth or in infancy; others are for those who’ve lost a child of any age. Our hope is that connecting with these ministries will bring meaningful consolation and peace.
1Red Bird Ministries
Red Bird Ministries (RBM) is a non-profit, pro-life, and pro-family Catholic grief support ministry serving individuals and couples who have experienced the loss of a child from pregnancy through adulthood.
“We help ordinary families who have been given an extraordinary cross to carry,” says their website (and you can read more about RBM in an interview with Aleteia).
We are a committed and faithful community of grieving families who pursue healing through the sacraments of the Catholic Church, Sacred Scripture, and Sacred Tradition. You will find exclusive content, deeper conversations, and helpful practices to take into your daily life as you navigate the flight of grief.
2All Embrace
All Embrace is for families who have lost a baby from miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death within the first few months after birth.
3Emmaus Ministry
The Emmaus Ministry for Grieving Parents serves the spiritual needs of parents whose children of any age have died by any cause.
As Jesus joined his distraught disciples on the road to Emmaus, we ask him to join each of us in this ministry as we struggle through this horrendous journey of grief every day. In the Franciscan tradition of “All Are Welcome,” please join us.
4Ava’s Grace
This ministry offers spiritual, emotional and practical support to families who suffer miscarriage, stillbirth or infant loss.
We hope that you will find in ava’s grace the support, consolation, empathy and hope you will need for your journey through grief. In the resources section below, we have compiled a wealth of resources to help you navigate your way through this difficult time, ranging from information on Catholic funeral rites and burial services for miscarried, stillborn and newborn infants, to grief support groups and other services throughout the diocese as well as online, to many inspirational articles and blog posts from women and men who have journeyed through the loss of their little ones with the support of their faith.
5Morning Light Ministry
Morning Light Ministry is a Catholic ministry for bereaved mothers and bereaved fathers who have experienced the death of their baby through ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, stillbirth or infant death up to one year old.
Finally, parents who have lost a child before birth should know that the Knights of Columbus have built nearly 2,000 memorials and monuments to the unborn throughout the United States. Many of these are in cemeteries, and can serve as a burial place for these little children.
And today we celebrate...