Pregnancy and Infant Loss
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"Every human life, from the moment of conception until death, is sacred because the human person has been willed for its own sake in the image and likeness of the living and holy God.” CCC 2319
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This ministry tenderly accompanies individuals and families through the sorrow of pregnancy loss, offering compassionate support and the hope of healing.
Approximately 1 in 4 women have experienced pregnancy loss of some kind.
Our goal is to gather and disseminate resources to support families and individuals experiencing pregnancy loss, educate pastors, parish staff and parishioners and aid in the creation of local communities which can come together to provide direct support.
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Want to Implement this Ministry in Your Parish?
Contact the Office of Marriage and Family Life:
Director - Crystal Painter
[email protected]
801-456-9324
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See a List of Resources Belowthird-party website disclaimerSome links will bring you to a third-party website, owned and operated by an independent party over which the Diocese of Salt Lake City has no control ("3rd Party Website"). Any link you make to or from the 3rd Party Website will be at your own risk. Any use of the 3rd Party Website will be subject to and any information you provide will be governed by the terms of the 3rd Party Website, including those relating to confidentiality, data privacy and security. The Diocese of Salt Lake City is not in any way associated with the owner or operator of the 3rd Party Website or responsible or liable for the goods and services offered by them or for anything in connection with such 3rd Party Website. The Diocese of Salt Lake City makes no warranties, representations or undertakings relating to the content of the 3rd Party Website. The Diocese of Salt Lake City disclaims liability for any loss, damage and any other consequence resulting directly or indirectly from or relating to your access to the 3rd Party Website or any information that you may provide or any transaction conducted on or via the 3rd Party Web site or the failure of any information, goods or services posted or offered at the 3rd Party Website or any error, omission or misrepresentation on the 3rd Party Website or any computer virus arising from or system failure associated with the 3rd Party Website.By clicking on any of the external links, you will be confirming that you have read and agreed to the terms herein.
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CLICK ON THE TABS FOR MORE INFORMATION AND LINKS TO RESOURCES
- Articles/Blog Posts
- Memorials
- Ministries/Apostolates
- Church Resources
- Books
- Practical Resources for Miscarriage
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- A Catholic Culture must recognize Miscarriage and Pregnancy Loss
- Grieving Miscarriage as a Catholic
- Healing from Pregnancy Loss
- Hope of Salvation: Unbaptized Babies and Miscarriages
- Loving Parents after Miscarriage
- What does the Church Say about Limbo?
- Contemplatives For Life: Praying for Expectant Mothers
- Coping with Miscarriage: A Catholic Approach to Grieving and Healing
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- National Catholic Bioethics Center
- USCCB Blessing of Parents after a Miscarriage or Stillbirth
- USCCB Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Healthcare Services
The Order for the Naming and Commendation of an Infant who died before Birth is found in Book of Blessings - Contact your parish
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- After Miscarriage - By Karen Edmisten (ISBN 978-1-63582-386-8)
- Blessed is the Fruit of Thy Womb – Rosary Reflections on Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss By Heidi Indahl (ISBN-13: 978-1-68192-504-2)
- A Catholic Guide to Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss - By Abigail Jorgensen (ISBN-13: 978-1-64680-239-5)
- Catholic & Mourning a Loss - By Mauryeen O’Brien, OP (ISBN 978-0-87946-524-7)
- Death and Grief – A Guide for Clergy - By Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. (ISBN 0-915202-76-x)
- Grief Ministry (Revised Edition - By Terence P. Curley (ISBN 978-0-8146-4657-1)
- The Grief of Dads – Support and Hope for Catholic Fathers Navigating Child Loss - By Patrick O’Hearn, Bryan Feger, Kelly and Ryan Breaux of Red Bird Ministries (ISBN-13: 978-1-64680-253-1)
- Grieving Together – A Couple’s Journey through Miscarriage - By Laura Kelly Fanucci and Franco David Fanucci (ISBN-13: 978-1-68192-186-0)
- Men and Miscarriage – A Dad’s Guide to Grief, Relationships, and Healing after Loss - By Aaron & MJ Gouveia (ISBN 978-1-5107-6360-9)
- Nursery of Heaven – Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss in the Lives of the Saints and Today’s Parents - By Cassie Everts and Patrick O’Hearn (ISBN 979-8-88911-36-5)
- Overcoming Grief – Joining and Participating in Bereavement Support Groups - By John S Munday (ISBN 0-87946-290-6)
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Articles and websites with practical advice and resources to help navigate this difficult task.
- Expectant Management - An article from "Catholic Miscarriage Support" which covers the physical process of miscarriage in very detailed and sometimes graphic fashion. The “Afterward” section recommends having someone potentially take pictures, and to place the baby in a container in the fridge to slow composition. The last two paragraphs of the article offer further advice on trying to avoid the body being taken away or treated as mere medical waste.)
- How to Bury Your Baby After a Miscarriage by JoAnna Wahlund - An article on the "Catholic Stand" which provides some practical advice from her experience with 4 miscarriages. Above all, as explained in the article, it’s important to keep in mind that it’s not always possible to retain and bury the child’s remains, and one should not feel ashamed or guilty in such a case. Funeral rites can and should still take place even without the body present.
- Covenant Resources - Covenant Resources Miscarriage Ministry™: Providing dignified Care to Miscarried Babies and Their Families
- Standing With You (initiative of Students for Life) - Information and practical help for women experiencing a miscarriage.
- Burial in the Diocese of Salt Lake City - Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery has an area where infants can be interred. Please contact them for fees and details.