The Book of Life

There is a church in NY, The Church of The Holy Innocents, that has a shrine with a book of life in it. The shrine is "dedicated in Memory of the Children Who Have Died Unborn". I went to their website and entered my baby into this book. This is the letter that they emailed back to me with a certificate. It was a surprisingly relieving way to help me grieve. There's something calming/relieving/peaceful about knowing that my never-born-baby is recorded somewhere.

Dear Amanda and Mr. Wonderful,

Your beloved baby, Baby Wonderful, will be forever remembered, loved and honored as your child's name has been inscribed in the Book of Life here at The Shrine of the Holy Innocents. In the words of our late Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, your baby is now "living in the Lord". We pray that you find comfort in knowing that your child is not alone, but rather, in the loving arms of Jesus. Attached is a Certificate of Life, in memory of your baby. (For help in opening/printing the file, please see below.)

Your child is a sacred, special, unique and unrepeatable person, made in the image and likeness of God, whose earthly life was brief, but significant and beautiful. God loves you and is with you on this journey of healing. I pray that you allow Him to touch your heart and bring you peace, especially in times of hurt, frustration, and questioning this life of ours.

Thank you so much for sharing about the life of your precious one. We are honored to remember your baby along with you. I pray that knowing that your child will never be forgotten here at the Shrine will help to console your hurting heart in some way.

On the first Monday of every month, our 12:15 pm Mass is celebrated in honor of the children whose names are inscribed in the Book of Life and for their families. Please contact me if there is anything I can ever do for you. If ever you are in NYC, please know that you are more than welcome to visit, to see where your precious baby's name is held. God bless you, I am praying for you.

Peace,
Siobhan

Siobhan M Bertone
The Shrine of the Holy Innocents
128 West 37th Street
New York, NY 10018
212 279-5861 x 224 (voicemail only)
shrine@innocents.com