For they shall be comforted. Mt. 5:3-12
Eleven years ago today, we said goodbye to our second little saint. While the world was welcoming the new millenium, we were mourning the loss of a child we wanted very much. While the church celebrated the jubilee, I was sick in bed – or more precisely – on the sofa. I couldn’t even get up from my spot when Fr. Roger came to bless our home. I felt terrible about myself. I felt like a complete failure as a mother, as a wife, as a person. Our pastor kindly agreed to have our unborn children written into the Mass intentions for Epiphany. I managed to drag myself off to Mass with the family. Seated in the front row, I felt entirely deflated. Barely there physically and emotionally.
It wasn’t until many years later that I came to a greater understanding of my participation in the life of those children who went to heaven too soon. That I understood that I am theirs and they are mine forever. That they are able to intercede for me – and for our whole family. That my grief has brought me, like Our Blessed Mother, to the foot of the cross.
Recently, I came across this beautiful prayer – again from “Mother’s Manual” by Fr. Francis Coomes. I hope that it will give comfort and even joy to those of you who have said goodbye-for-now to a little one.
My darling, you have gone to Heaven to be eternally happy, and are now in joy in the company of the Holy Innocents there. It was a thing hard for me to understand when you were taken from my arms, for parting with you has caused me grief that few can know. Yet in all my grief I am happy, very happy for you, because I know the joy that is yours. Your joy is now my joy, too, because I can always feel that I had a part in bringing it to you. Now that you are in Heaven, I realize that you are mine in a truer sense than you could ever be on Earth. I cannot lose you now through sin. While parting with you was hard, I would not wish you back, because I know that you are happier than I could ever make you here with me.
Help me, as you now can with your intercession, that I may be completely faithful to all my duties here on Earth and merit to receive you again in eternal joys where there will be no more sorrow or parting from those we love.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, lover of children, hear my prayer! +
And this prayer for the intercession of a child in Heaven, also in “Mother’s Manual”
My darling child [CHILD'S NAME], you are now in the joy of the presence of our God. And in your spotless innocence, which He loves, you can speak to Him with a voice He will heed. You are still my baby and will surely regard the prayers of your mother, who bore you. So with confidence, then, I speak to you. Intercede for me to obtain the favor that I here ask as a mother through her child who stands before the throne of God [PLACE YOUR PETITION HERE]
But if what I ask is not according to the wisdom and loving designs of Almighty God for me and others, then ask Him to grant what is best according to His good pleasure and to give me the wisdom and faith to conform my will to His. Amen +
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Nissa – this is beautiful! I am printing it out to give to a dear friend who has lost two little ones in the past year. Thank you for posting it and know that we will be praying to your wonderful little saints!