Behold Your Child Ministry

Behold Your Child is a ministry developed by the Archdiocese of Dubuque to help provide hope and healing for parents and families who have experienced a life-limiting prenatal diagnosis, miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death (whether recently or years ago).

Those interested in more information about this ministry, including how to be trained as a parish minister, may contact Matt Selby, Director of Adult and Marriage Formation, at (563) 556-2580, ext. 233 or [email protected] for more information. If you are within the Archdiocese and would like to register for the online training, click here. If you are outside of the Archdiocese of Dubuque and would like to register for the online training, click here.

Below are resources to assist families who have experienced a life-limiting prenatal diagnosis, miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death. YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN YOUR LOSS. 

Reflections for Families and Professionals 

Prayerful reflections are available below for those who have been affected by miscarriage, stillbirth, infant loss, or a life-limiting prenatal diagnosis. These reflections allow people, at their own pace, to sit and reflect on what they are experiencing. Reflections for mothers, fathers, couples, siblings (both older and younger), grandparents, medical professionals, and ministers may be accessed and downloaded below under each category.

Reflections for After Miscarriage
Reflections for After Stillbirth
Reflections for After Infant Loss
Reflections for After a Life-Limiting Prenatal Diagnosis
Reflections for Medical Professionals and Ministers

Reflexiones en Español

Counseling Services:

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Dubuque 

Care of Fetal Remains:

For guidance on how to care for the body of a child after a miscarriage or stillbirth (whether at home or at a medical facility), download this Care of Fetal Remains document. Click below for the information in brochure format (in both English and Spanish).

Articles from the U.S. Catholic Bishops:

Miscarriage (ForYourMarriage.org blog post)
Loving Parents After Miscarriage o En Español
Solace and Strength in the Sorrow of Miscarriage

• Downloadable Pamphlet (English o Español)
• Downloadable Bulletin Insert (English o Español)

Blessings and Rituals:

Blessing of Parents After Miscarriage or Stillbirth

Order for the Naming and Commendation of an Infant who Died Before Birth
- Archdiocese of St. Louis
Orden Para El Nombramiento y Encomendamient de un Bebé Fallecido antes de Nacer 
- Arquidiócesis de St. Louis 

Naming Ceremony of a Child Lost to Miscarriage or Stillbirth 
- Diocese of Fargo
Ceremonia de Nombramiento de un niño perdido por aborto espontáneo o muerte fetal
- Diócesis de Fargo 

The below chart includes various Catholic Liturgical Rites available for those who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, infant loss, or a life-limiting prenatal diagnosis. Contact your local parish if you would like clergy to administer any of these rites.