*I was provided with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Additionally, this post contains affiliate links. If you click on them and make a purchase, I do receive compensation that ultimately helps keep this blog running. Thank you for your support. :)
When Isabelle first passed away, I was given a number of books and resources to help me move forward from the loss. Although I read small portions from several of them, none met the spiritual needs of a grieving parent. I was excited when I was recently given an opportunity to read and review Heidi Indahl’s book, Blessed Is the Fruit of Thy Womb: Rosary Reflections on Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss
Heidi Indahl’s short book is a valuable tool for anyone who has experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss. Her personal experience with all three types of loss is woven together with the rosary, and the final product is this thoughtful prayer tool. She shares insight into the life of a grieving parent and common topics of struggle after losing a child. These insights are then connected directly to the lives of Jesus and his mother as you pray through the rosary.
The book is organized into four sections representing the Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious mysteries of the rosary. Each mystery includes the appropriate scripture and a reflection followed by questions to consider while praying that decade of the rosary. Ample space to write and reflect is also provided. Each set of mysteries contains a quote from another mom about her personal experience with loss and how Mary, Jesus’ mother, was a beautiful example of how to deal with grief.
Indahl provides several suggestions for how to prayerfully use the book. It can be used in a variety of different ways based on your personal needs and time constraints. I personally chose to use each set of mysteries as a separate mini-retreat and prayed through the book over the course of several days. By the end of the book, I had a renewed sense of direction on my grieving journey.
This book is an organized, honest, and effective prayer tool to help parents move forward from a loss. Indahl provides helpful insight and a message of hope while addressing difficult topics and then challenges the reader to turn to prayer. If you have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss, and are looking for a way to help heal your heart and grow in faith, this book will likely be very helpful.
You can buy the book from Amazon here:
A note on Mary and the rosary:
Since Mary is discussed regularly in this book, I just want to clarify what the Catholic Church teaches about Mary. Catholics do not pray to or worship Mary. Instead, we ask her to pray for us the same way you would ask a friend to pray for you during a difficult time. Mary also lost a child and understands what that type of grief feels like. Since she is hanging out in heaven with her son, she is a great person from which to ask prayers.
If you would like more information about Mary and the rosary, check out the video and link below.
Why is Mary so important to Catholics and why do they pray the Rosary? (YouTube)
