Blessing of Parents after a Miscarriage or Stillbirth

In times of death and grief the Christian turns to the Lord for consolation and strength. This is especially true when a child dies before birth. This blessing is provided to assist the parents in their grief and console them with the blessing of God.

Introductory Rites

All make the Sign of the Cross. The leader begins:

Let us praise the Father of mercies,
the God of all consolation.
Blessed be God for ever.
R/. Blessed be God for ever.

In the following or similar words, the leader prepares those present for the blessing.

For those who trust in God,
in the pain of sorrow there is consolation,
in the face of despair there is hope,
in the midst of death there is life.

N. and N., as we mourn the death of your child,
we place ourselves in the hands of God
and ask for strength, for healing, and for love.

Reading of the Word of God

One of those present or the leader reads a text of Sacred Scripture (Lam 3:17-18, 21-24).

Listen to the words of the Book of Lamentations:

My soul is deprived of peace,
I have forgotten what happiness is;
I tell myself my future is lost,
all that I hope for from the LORD.

But I will call this to mind,
as my reason to have hope:
The favors of the LORD are not exhausted,
his mercies are not spent;
They are renewed each morning,
so great is his faithfulness.
My portion is the LORD, says my soul;
therefore I will hope in him.

The word of the Lord.
R/. Thanks be to God.

Intercessions

The intercessions are then said.

Let us pray to God, who throughout the ages
has heard the cries of parents.

R/. Lord, hear our prayer.

For N. and N., who know the pain of grief, that they may be comforted,
we pray to the Lord. R/.

For this family, that it may find new hope in the midst of suffering,
we pray to the Lord. R/.

For all who have suffered the loss of a child, that Christ may be their support,
we pray to the Lord. R/.

After the intercessions, the leader invites all present to say the Lord's Prayer.

Prayer of Blessing

The leader says the prayer of blessing with hands joined.

Compassionate God,
soothe the hearts of N. and N.,
and grant that through the prayers of Mary,
who grieved by the Cross of her Son,
you may enlighten their faith,
give hope to their hearts,
and peace to their lives.

Lord, grant mercy to all the members of this family
and comfort them with the hope
that one day we will all live with you,
with your Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit,
forever and ever.
R/. Amen.

Or:

Lord, God of all creation,
we bless and thank you for your tender care.
Receive this life you created in love
and comfort your faithful people in their time of loss
with the assurance of your unfailing mercy.
Through Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen.

Concluding Rite

The leader concludes the rite by signing himself or herself with the Sign of the Cross and saying:

May God give us peace in our sorrow,
consolation in our grief,
and strength to accept his will in all things
R/. Amen.