The Healing Journey

May 3, 2025

Bishop to Celebrate Mass for Parents Who Have Lost a Child

A special Mass on Mother’s Day weekend has been scheduled for any parent who is grieving the loss of a child of any age and for any reason, including miscarriages, no matter how recent or long ago.

Bishop Frank J. Caggiano will be the principal celebrant at the Mass on Mother’s Day, and he will be joined by Fr. Peter Cipriani, Pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish.

St. Rose of Lima Parish

46 Church Hill Road
Newtown, CT
Saturday, May 10 at 4:30 pm

The Mass will fulfill the Sunday obligation.

“Mother’s Day can be a painfully difficult day for anyone who has lost a child, since this secular holiday is celebrated by every cultural community and all age groups throughout our country,” said Carolyn Killian, Director of Bereavement of the Diocese of Bridgeport. “Most people buy cards and flowers for their mothers and grandmothers and thank them for the special role they have played in their lives. We know, however, there are countless women whose hearts are breaking on this particular Sunday in May, since they are living with the unthinkable — they have lost a child. But when we pray for strength, support and healing, God sends someone to walk with us.”

Quoting Jesus in the Gospels, Father Cipriani said: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.”

“When Jesus made this statement, I believe He had grieving parents in mind,” Father said. “What is the Church if not the Body of Christ? And from this Body, Christ especially extends His arms to embrace these parents and their families, and drawing them to His Sacred Heart may provide them with that comfort, consolation, that healing and hope that only His Body, the Church, can provide.”

Kenn Devane of Catholic Cemeteries said he hopes the Mass to support parents who have lost a child will become an annual observance, and he thanked Bishop Caggiano and Fr. Cipriani for acknowledging the pain these parents live with and for offering them spiritual support.

According to estimates, some 20 million Americans have experienced the death of a child, which the Institute of Medicine says is “one of the greatest and most enduring stresses a person can experience,” leading to health, social and economic challenges for years afterward.

“Sometimes when you are in pain, just being with others who have experienced the same loss can bring profound comfort,” Killian said. “We invite anyone who believes in the power of prayer and the healing power of community to join us on May 10 so we can walk together.”

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