Find solace in ‘Nursery of Heaven’
LINCOLNTON — Even amid an outpouring of condolences, grief can leave us feeling isolated and misunderstood – particularly when it involves the loss of an unborn child or infant. A local Catholic author wants to offer hope to those who have experienced such tragedies.
Patrick O’Hearn, a member of St. Dorothy Parish in Lincolnton, is shedding light on the suffering of parents who have experienced miscarriage and other forms of child loss, helping them find comfort through the stories of others – including his own.
Readers can find these accounts in “Nursery of Heaven,” O’Hearn’s new book coauthored by Cassie Everts and available from Sophia Institute Press Aug. 20.
“The Holy Spirit wanted me to use my sufferings to help other people, and so that’s when I reached out to Cassie about writing this book with me,” O’Hearn says.
Through a mutual friend, O’Hearn had heard about Everts’ five miscarriages and how she wanted to share her experience to help others.
“God brought us together to write this book,” O’Hearn says.
“To share my own grief and journey, knowing someone is carrying the same cross, really helped,” Everts adds. “When I experienced my own miscarriages, I never had felt so isolated and alone. I didn’t know where to turn, what the Church offered, or who to ask for help – my prayer is that ‘Nursery of Heaven’ will provide those answers for other women and couples.”
In the pages, readers will find the stories of Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin, St. Gianna Molla, and Servant of God Chiara Corbella Petrillo as well as those of Everts, O’Hearn and his wife Amanda, and other modern-day couples. Each shares the realities of losing a child and the consolations God has given them.
“When you lose a child, there’s a sense of isolation, especially when you’re in parishes where everyone else is having a lot of children, because that can be painful,” O’Hearn says. “Priests do their best but sometimes don’t know what to say, so you just feel like you’re carrying this hidden cross.”
Everts adds that there is never a quick fix or easy words when someone is experiencing the loss of a baby. They want their book to be a helpful resource and source of comfort.
Besides the personal stories, the book has prayers such as the “Blessing of Parents after a Miscarriage or Stillbirth,” “Order for the Naming of an Infant Who Died before Birth,” Scripture passages and novenas.
Both authors also recommend attending a Mass of Consolation like the one to be held this fall at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16, at St. Mark Church in Huntersville.
“Often people won’t say anything at all, or say that you’ll have another child, and so that’s why many parents are so private about it, but here’s a book where people are pouring their hearts out,” O’Hearn says. “You’ll realize that reading it gives a little touch of grace in your heart.”
Everts’ message to women going through such a loss: “May you find comfort knowing that your baby is in heaven and never forget the powerful intercessor they now are before the throne of God. And while the world may have never known this beautiful child, our hearts never forget the life we were blessed to carry, no matter how short the time was, and the honor it is to be their mother.”
— Annie Ferguson
Order and learn more
At www.sophiainstitute.com: Buy a copy of “Nursery of Heaven”
At www.patrickrohearn.com: Get to know the author and St. Dorothy parishioner