Children lined the aisle for him

October 7, 2011

A pregnant young couple from our parish was told by their doctor that their baby did not have a brain stem. Of course, the recommendation was abortion. The couple chose to let their baby live to term, and he was born the day before yesterday. The doctor also told the parents their baby boy would only live 1 – 2 hours. He stayed in his father and mother’s arms for 12 hours, and then he went to be with Jesus.

Today, I attended the funeral. Father invited me to come to support the family. The little one looked just like I always imagined an angel of God to look. He was beautiful in his white gown that he wore when baptized. Father gave a beautiful homily and thanked the parents for choosing life for their child.

Father also invited the 6th, 7th and 8th grade students to attend the funeral Mass with their teachers. After the Mass, he told the young parents that just like war heroes got military honors for serving our country, their son was also a hero for having suffered a serious illness in the 12 hours of his life…and that he too, deserved to be honored. He asked us all to applaud the life of this blessed child of God. And after the final commendation, the students lined the aisle to honor this child as the father and mother escorted the white casket out of the church, and "Ave Maria" rang out.

There were many tears, but not tears of regret or pain; rather they were tears of gratitude and love for this little boy who blessed his parents and our parish today with his beautiful witness.

If you can, stop for a minute and say a prayer for him and his brave and loving parents.