The Healing Journey

October 2,  2025

The following reflection is taken from a homily by Bishop Frank J. Caggiano, delivered at the blessing of the Little Angels Shrine at Resurrection Cemetery in Newtown. This sacred place is available to bury the remains of a miscarriage, stillborn baby or infant in consecrated ground. It will also memorialize those with no remains with a plaque on the memorial wall.

“Today we come in a very special way to remember the little ones who entered into the mystery of death too early, through miscarriage or stillbirth or difficulties in pregnancy. I cannot imagine, as much as I want to put it into words, the suffering that a mother and a father, but particularly a mother, may experience in that moment. Because unlike those who have entered into the mystery of death, whom we’ve had the opportunity to share a life with, that was not given in these cases.

We call their shrine the ‘Little Angels Shrine,’ do we not? But what do the angels do? They are the spiritual creatures who live before God’s presence. And they enjoy his love for all eternity. They exist to return God’s love back to him. That is all they do. The little ones that we honor here today — your children, sons and daughters — are there in glory, giving God love and glory back. And we know in our hearts that the day will come when you will meet them face to face as we will meet all who have gone before us face to face. Imagine what that reunion will look like! Imagine the joy that will be in the very same hearts that knew suffering when they entered into death.

Now we have a place to honor them, for they are our sisters and brothers, our sons and daughters, our grandsons and granddaughters, our nieces and nephews. They’re all our family. Those who come here in the months and years ahead will find a sacred place where their names will be remembered. And for some, perhaps even their earthly remains will be interred. This will be a place to be able to sit and recall the great mystery and promise of our faith, for as much as you and I loved them, God will love them far more. And if there was one who made sure that no eternal harm would come to them, it was the Father into whose hands they now live.

So I thank you for being here today, and I hope this is a moment of hope and healing, and that you recognize our church family honors your sons and daughters who entered into the mystery of death. We are here to join hands and do whatever is needed to offer healing…

My dear friends, life fills us with many distractions, doesn’t it? We occupy ourselves with many things, and most of them are good, but there are certain things that are very good and a few things that are excellent. Above all else, gathering like this is a moment of divine excellence. So look around this place and let us remember one another and let us pray for one another, that where our little ones, our angels, have gone, we also will go one day.”

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