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| During the annual Memorial Mass at St. Boniface Church, Lafayette, for babies who have died before birth, loved ones are invited to light candles to signify the life of each baby lost. Each also is given a rose and certificate of life. (Photos by Lisa Wilson-Cotillier) | ||
By Lisa Wilson-Cotillier
The Catholic Moment
“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.” — Book of Blessings, No. 285
LAFAYETTE — As thousands gathered in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 22 to protest the legalization of abortion and to support the right to life, many also gathered at St. Boniface Church here to memorialize the lives of babies who died before birth.
The parish’s annual Memorial Mass was for anyone who had experienced the loss of a child at any time during pregnancy, whether through ectopic loss, miscarriage, abortion or stillbirth. It gave families an opportunity to remember and find consolation.
“We offer this Mass for all those who gather, in particular for those who have lost a child in any manner,” said Father Tim Alkire, pastor. “We commend those children who died into the hands of their loving Creator … and on this date we ask God to restore to our country a deep respect for life.”
During the Mass, loved ones lit candles to signify the life of each baby lost. Each was given a rose and certificate of life.
Recognizing and memorializing the life of each child “brings comfort to families,” said Stacy Martin, who helped organize the Mass.
“When I lost my child, a Mass similar to this was celebrated (at another parish), and it was such a comfort,” she said. “It remained in my heart. The people who attended were so moved. There were couples there, middle-aged and even older couples, and the pain of losing their baby was still very fresh in their minds. They were saying, ‘No one has ever recognized our baby before.’ We wanted to recognize all of the babies’ lives.”
“It was nice to be able to celebrate this Mass with the faith community and to support each other on this day,” said Linda Hasser, coordinator for Project Gianna, a diocesan-wide ministry begun in 2004 that helps mothers and babies with their physical, material, spiritual and emotional needs.
“Tonight we honored the lives of every little baby lost,” she said, “and also stood in solidarity with those who traveled to the March for Life. Since this is the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, I think it’s wonderful that this Memorial Mass brings a celebration to each baby’s life. And it is a reminder that every time we come to Mass, we’re here with our little ones.”
The process of healing is ongoing, but the source of comfort the Mass provides is powerful.
“The Mass is our communion with our babies who have died,” co-organizer Cheri Irons said. “It has meant so much to me in my own loss, and it is wonderful to be able to share this with others.
“If you have lost a child and have not yet experienced a Mass for your baby, come,” she said. “Pray and remember that your baby is still a part of you. Your baby is a light and still very much a part of you.”
To learn more
• For more information about the Perinatal Loss Bereavement Program at St. Elizabeth Regional Health, call Sister Raphael at 765-423-6105.
• For more information about Project Gianna, which helps mothers and babies with physical, material, spiritual and emotional needs, call 888-583-2303.
• For more information about Project Rachel and healing after abortion, call 877-522-3300
• For more information about Share Pregnancy and Infant Loss and Support, Inc., call 765-449-5133.