Mary, Help of Orphaned Parents

I wrote this after Nick and Sophie died, in a rare moment of lucidity among so much grief. It is fitting today, on the eve of Alexander's 3 month birthday, and as Nikki celebrates her daughter Alyssa's first birthday among the angels and saints. (Click here to remember with her.)

Mary, Help of Orphaned Parents

Blessed Mother, In our times of utter despair, we cling to your arms and join our sufferings to your mother’s heart. As we mourn our children, help us to find comfort in your strength. No parent wants to bury their child, as you know. Help us to find understanding through your journey. You have tread this path before us and you survived your heartache. Help heal our hearts. You made it through the endless pain that accompanies the death of a child. Help us through our pain. We know that the emptiness in our lives is eternal; our children are irreplaceable. Help us to accept that our precious ones answered God’s call to join Him in His heavenly kingdom. Help us to find comfort and, even when we least expect it, moments of joy in knowing that our children are safe, loved, and happy. Holy Mother, we ask that you hold our children close to you, as you cradled your own precious son. We ask you to mother them until we are with them again. We bring these petitions to your feet, with the beautiful memories of our children, and in the sacred name of your son, Jesus. Amen.