Tag: god

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Day (TW: mentions of pregnancy loss and infant loss)

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This post just squeezed in for a brief time to commemorate this day, just as our second child did, last year.

It was a chemical pregnancy. Such a dehumanising term. I prefer to call it an early loss. That baby was conceived, lived, was wanted, and was loved… and lost.

As part of the grieving process, we named our child. Milo: God is merciful.

We chose that name because we entrusted that child to God’s endless mercy. It is really all you can do as a Christian experiencing a loss like that. There are no real answers, not even any real support – something I have on my heart to change, but I’m still waiting on the Lord to show me how. But I digress. We entrusted Milo to God’s mercy.

And then, we let ourselves be loved. Our friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, prayed for us, consoled us, held us, gifted us things that they felt would help us get through the too often unspoken grief, including a book about Blessed Chiara Corbella Petrillo, titled, Chiara Corbella Petrillo: a witness to joy

And it is the words she and her husband left on their first child’s coffin, who died 30 minutes after being born, that I would like to share with you on this day.

We were content to hold you in our arms, for even half an hour we were fine. We were not able to stop looking at your nose, the same as mine, and those little hand and those little feet. We did not have much time to tell you too many things; that we love you, we know that you know it, but perhaps you do not know that you were born for eternity and that I am not your father, nor she is your mother. Think of that! The one who desired you is also our Father. I know it is a little complicated, but soon you will understand: Life is marvelous, for this also we sought you. It does not matter how much time we spend together; to us matters what you shall be. Here each thing does not matter really; we can make do with less of everything. What is necessary is to know the Father; it is to prepare ourselves for this encounter. And you were born ready, I do not know how to tell you how proud we are of you. We accompanied you as far as we were able. Now you shall know the father, Maria Gracia Letizia, Joy of our life

We accompany our children as far as we are able, each one of us. And we entrust them to the mercy of our loving God.

Milo, and all those who went to their heavenly home early, pray for us!

Blessed Chiara Corbella Petrillo, pray for us!

Have you been touched by pregnancy or infant loss? Do you know someone who has (chances are, you do!)? Please, share whatever you’d like to, perhaps a name, or some way you choose to remember them on this day.

Until next time, let’s pray for each other. And remember, we can do Mom things through Christ who strengthens us!

Saint of the Month: Saint Pope John Paul II

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Feast Day: October 22
Patron Saint of: youth, families, and World Youth Day

Much like last month’s Saint of the Month, our October Saint of the Month was something of a global superstar in the 80s and 90s. In fact, the two of them were less than rarely associated with one another. He was the pope of my youth and holds a special place in my heart for starting World Youth Day which was a key milestone in my own faith journey.

I have chosen him as our patron saint for the month not only because he is a patron saint of families, but also for his encouraging words to mothers in his Letter to Women:

Thank you, women who are mothers! You have sheltered human beings within yourselves in a unique experience of joy and travail. This experience makes you become God’s own smile upon the newborn child, the one who guides your child’s first steps, who helps it to grow, and who is the anchor as the child makes its way along the journey of life.

The saint’s words highlight the unique role that mothers hold. First, he acknowledges our first duty as mother: to grow our children within our own bodies, providing all they need until they are (with hope) ready to leave the safety of the womb, just as God provides all we need throughout our lives. As we raise our children, we radiate joy and delight in our child, offering them a dim reflection of God’s joy and delight in them as His children. We nurture and teach our children as they grow, as God nurtures and teaches us. Mothers remain a touchstone for children in their life journey, a source of wisdom and advice, or perhaps just someone who will listen, someone who is there, just as God is ever-present for all of us.

As I type this reflection, I am struck with the thought that as mothers, it is perfectly natural to show some version of God’s maternal love our role as mothers. It follows that we should be aware of this and intentionally work on how we can bring these facets of God’s love to our children and/or spiritual children.

Each of us, male or female, is called to bring God to others, in everything we do. We so often refer to God with the masculine pronouns, but there are both masculine and feminine qualities in God. It is important to remember that outside of the person of Jesus Christ, God is neither male nor female. St Pope John Paul II’s quote really brings to mind the maternal aspects of God’s love for us. His quote compels me to consider how I am bringing these qualities to my children and others around me.

This is not to say that these qualities cannot be embodied by men, nor that we as women should neglect to also show masculine aspects of God’s love. But mothers, and spiritual mothers have a special ability to reflect God’s maternal love. Therefore, we have a responsibility to do it and to do it well.

What are some maternal qualities you see in God? Which of these do you think you’re particularly adept at sharing with others? How do you do this? Any tips for how others might be better able to bring out the particular qualities you shine? Share your thoughts in the comments and let’s help each other become better mothers to all the people around us!

Until next time, let’s pray for each other. And remember, we can do Mom things through Christ who strengthens us!

October Requests

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Wow, September is coming to a close which means it’s time to prepare for October. Already?! I can’t believe how quickly this month has gone by! 

Personally, looking back on this month and reflecting on what to change in the coming weeks, I realise that I am having a hard time balancing paid work, this passion project, and my work as a mother, as you can probably tell by the tardiness in posting this monthly prayer request post, the missing post this week (oops), and my missing Joys posts (though I have had many joys!). So, I would appreciate if you would pray for the Lord to guide me as I navigate that.

It also occurs to me that I need to learn how tolead my life as a wife and mother with more grace. I have wonderful examples all around me, but I know that in my own life, I need more patience (didn’t I write a post about that last year? Yes, I think I did…) and gentleness. Come Holy Spirit!

I know with the arrival of fall weather, changes in temperature as well as generally being a little cooler, sicknesses abound – we have certainly already had to push through our own health issues. So, please pray for my family’s health!

This month, as you pray for me and for anyone else in the Mom Things Through Christ community, I also ask you to keep the Holy Father’s intentions in your prayers. This month, we join Pope Francis in praying for a shared mission:

We pray that the Church continue to sustain in all ways a Synodal lifestyle, as a sign of co-responsibility, promoting the participation, the communion and the mission shared among priests, religious and lay people.

That’s more requests than I usually post. I’m leaning on my prayer warriors, but feel free to lean right back! How has the month been for you? Has the return to school impacted much on your daily life? Are there new crosses for you to bear? Anything coming up that we can pray for? Feel free to let me know how I can pray for you this month in the comment section!

Until next time, let’s pray for each other. And remember, we can do Mom things through Christ who strengthens us!