Misscarriage

Introduction: When a baby dies before birth, the parents may seek the prayers of the Church. A priest, deacon, or lay minister of the parish, or a member of the family may lead this blessing.

Leader: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit
All: And also with you.

Leader: Let us praise the Father of mercies, the God of all consolation. Blessed be God for ever.
All: Blessed be God for ever.

Leader: 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 strength, for healing, and for love.

Reader: A reading from the Book of Lamentations: -- Lamentations 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 hoped 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
All: Thanks be to God.

Reflection: (Minister may choose to give a homily)
Period of Silence: (After a time of silence, all join in the prayers of intercession)

Leader: Dear friends, let us turn to the Lord, the God of hope and consolation, who calls us to everlasting glory in Christ Jesus.
Reader: For N. that he/she may now enjoy the place prepared for him/her in your great love. We pray to the Lord.
All: Lord hear our prayer.

Reader: For N.’s father and mother (brother(s) and sister(s)), that they may know our love and support in their grief. We pray to the Lord.
All: Lord hear our prayer.

Reader: For all of us who come to you with our sorrows, may we always trust in your love for us and may we always love one another as you love us. We pray to the Lord.
All: Lord hear our prayer.

Reader: For this community, that we may bear one another’s burdens with joy and faith. We pray to the Lord.
All: Lord hear our prayer.

Reader: For all those who mourn the loss of children, that they may feel the Holy Spirit and be comforted. We pray to the Lord.
All: Lord hear our prayer.

Reader: For all who are in need that the fearful may find peace, the weary, freedom and those oppressed freedom. We pray to the Lord.
All: Lord hear our prayer.

Leader: Gathering all our prayers together let us offer the prayer that Jesus taught us.
All: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

Leader: Let us pray
Father and Creator, in whom all life and death find meaning, we bless you at all times, especially when we have need of your consolation. N. and N. entrust to your care a life conceived in love. May your blessing come upon them now. Remove all anxiety from their minds and strengthen this love so that they may have peace in their hearts and home. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.

Leader: May the almighty and merciful God bless and protect us, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
All: Amen.