by Kelly Breaux | Red Bird Ministries
After losing our first child, our son Talon, at 15 days old, in 2005, my husband and I began questioning life’s purpose and the meaning of faith. We suffered three more losses, adding to our suffering and leaving us feeling even more isolated and confused. When we discovered that the Catholic Church did not provide sufficient resources and support to families like ours, we were shocked. The loss of a baby is a devastating experience that ultimately leads to families wrestling deeply with their faith. We did not know where to turn and were forced to make sense of suffering in the secular world without God. Whether it’s a terminal diagnosis or a loss that has already occurred, there is a need for resources that provide guidance to help families. Most couples do not have time to conduct extensive research to gather the information they need to make these decisions and are thus very confused. Sometimes, moral theologians are unavailable before a decision is made, which further causes additional stress on families.
Dr. Abigail Jorgensen uses the wisdom of the Church in conjunction with her own personal experiences. She has drawn upon her professional and personal experience with loss to provide her readers with answers and reflections on the medical and spiritual consequences of loss. Further discussion is provided on tough topics, such as salvation for unbaptized children. This resource will provide couples of child loss, friends/family, clergy, and others with valuable information to understand what they are going through and the formation needed to walk through their loss.
When a couple learns that their baby has died, or will die, they are left confused about what to do next. Whether a family has suffered a loss or is facing a terminal diagnosis, guidance is needed. Most couples find it difficult to conduct comprehensive research within the time given, leading to confusion and frustration. It is not uncommon for families to seek guidance from their medical community when making decisions that may conflict with their Catholic beliefs. Dr. Abigail Jorgensen’s book presents compassionate answers to difficult questions surrounding loss that are based on research, personal experience, and wisdom from the Church. Families are guided not only through the loss but also through the journey that follows. It is a valuable resource for families we serve and clergy who want to learn more about pastorally guiding their parishioners.