Nursery of Heaven: Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss in the Lives of the Saints and Today's Parents

by Cassie Everts, Patrick O'Hearn

Miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss happen more often than we realize, leaving many to suffer in isolation. Nursery of Heaven is a companion to help those grieving from child loss as they search for comfort and meaning. Not only will couples be able to relate to the experiences from saints such as Louis and Zelie Martin, Gianna Molla, and Servant of God Chiara Corbella Petrillo, they will also receive hope and consolation in their sufferings from parents who have suffered a similar loss.

Along with such beautiful prayers as Blessing of Parents After a Miscarriage or Stillbirth, the Order for the Naming of an Infant Who Died Before Birth, and various Novenas, this book also provides practical wisdom for our pastors, family and friends to help those who are grieving their child find healing.

Genres: Parenting

190 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2019

Reviews

[John Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unabashedly, I shed many tears reading this book; yes, sadness is truly part of entering into the mystery of pain and loss, yet few books have so filled my spirit with joy and hope. Authors Cassie Everts and Patrick O'Hearn weave together multiple instances of childhood loss—born and unborn—in the lives of the saints, in their own lives, and in the lives of others into a masterpiece of Christian faith, hope, and love. The title evokes the beautiful mystery of the fellowship of the children of God and the reality of Heaven, where God has promised to wipe every tear away. In addition to very down-to-earth walking with parents who have endured painful loss, this book offers sound psychological advice for the grieving and their friends as well as beautiful and heartfelt prayers to raise the spirit to heaven and intercede for those in need. Having lost two siblings to miscarriage and several nieces and at least one nephew, this book not only helped me to grieve their loss, but to remember to turn to them in prayer and celebrate their joy in heaven with God. Some lives unfold on earth for a longer time while others are caught up quickly to the throne of God, yet we are all united in the One who loves us. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to all parents who are grieving over the loss of a miscarriaged, stillborn, or young child as well as to all persons of goodwill who have the compassion to walk with those who suffer. You will be happier and more hope-filled for having read it!

[Dana Szigeti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came upon this book in the gift shop of Holy Hill in Wisconsin and a couple days before our visit to the Our Lady of Champion Shrine. This book found me a month after the miscarriage of our first and only child, our little miracle after 4+ years of infertility.

This book has been such a gift of healing for me and I highly recommend it for any parent who has lost a child. While I shed many tears reading this book, they were tears of comfort to read that our child is in Heaven with our God - escaping the pain and sin of the world and going straight to the arms of Jesus and Mother Mary. It was also reaffirming to read the words of others who have experienced the same thoughts, emotions, and sorrow I feel with the loss of our child and the extreme physical pain and recovery that comes from miscarriage.

My only critique of the book is that I wish the authors could have included testimony of parents who have experienced loss and yet have no living children - especially after going through infertility; this is something I have yet to read. All books about infertility end with a baby. All the testimonies in this book are of parents who had living children (and in most cases many) or go on to have living children after loss. I am in search of books where neither is the case, so that I know I/we will be OK if we go through this earthly life never having had living children.

[Ellie Palzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Christian mother who has experienced loss needs to read this. The majority of this book is anecdotes of Catholic women experiencing a miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death. It reminds you that you are not alone, and how others' faith has been shaken or strengthened by such an experience. This is exactly what I needed to hear after my stillbirth.

[Catherine D Barczyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

essential book for those grieving infant loss

I am forever thankful I cam across this book! Thank you Cassie and Patrick for helping us understand our feeling and heal from our loss.