May today there be peace within.

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content knowing you are a child of God.

Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.

Why, my Lord, dare I ask why? It will not hear the whisper of the wind or see the beauty of its parents’ faces-it will not see the beauty of Your creation or the flame of a sunrise. Why, my Lord?

“Why, My Child, do you ask ‘why’? Well, I will tell you why.

You see, the child lives. Instead of the wind, he hears the sound of angels singing before My throne. Instead of the beauty that passes, he sees everlasting Beauty-he sees My face. He was created and lived a short time so the image of his parents imprinted on his face may stand before Me as their personal intercessor. He knows secrets of heaven unknown to men on earth. He laughs with a special joy that only the innocent possess. My ways are not the ways of man. I create for My Kingdom and each creature fills a place in that Kingdom that could not be filled by another. He was created for My joy and his parents’ merits. He has never seen pain or sin. He has never felt hunger or pain. I breathed a soul into a seed, made it grow and called it forth.”

I am humbled before you, my Lord, for questioning Your wisdom, goodness, and love. I speak as a fool-forgive me. I acknowledge Your sovereign rights over life and death. I thank You for the life that began for so short a time to enjoy so long an Eternity.

Though you must have been troubled by Mary’s news, you trusted in God’s promises.

Elizabeth, too, though she was thought to be barren, trusted in the promises of God, and she bore a son, John, who would herald the arrival of the Messiah.

Hear the prayers of all mothers who place their children for adoption and intercede for them before your adopted Son and Savior.

St. Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, pray for us.

Be attentive to the needs of these women who long to welcome a child through adoption.

Give encouragement to all adoptive mothers, that, with the support of their husbands, they might know the joy that comes from a lifetime of serving as mother, nurturer, and friend.

Intercede for them before the Father, we ask you.

St. Joseph, spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us.

You can take with you nothing

That you have received,

Only what you have given:

A full heart, enriched by honest service,

Love, sacrifice, and courage.

May today there be peace within.

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content knowing you are a child of God.

Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.

Heavenly Father,

You are the Author of life and love.

You have called us by name and made us your sons and your daughters, and you know your plan for our lives.

If it be your will, bless those who are pursuing adoption, give them generous hearts, and send them a child to love and with whom to share your great love for us.

Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Why, my Lord, dare I ask why? It will not hear the whisper of the wind or see the beauty of its parents’ faces-it will not see the beauty of Your creation or the flame of a sunrise. Why, my Lord?

“Why, My Child, do you ask ‘why’? Well, I will tell you why.

You see, the child lives. Instead of the wind, he hears the sound of angels singing before My throne. Instead of the beauty that passes, he sees everlasting Beauty-he sees My face. He was created and lived a short time so the image of his parents imprinted on his face may stand before Me as their personal intercessor. He knows secrets of heaven unknown to men on earth. He laughs with a special joy that only the innocent possess. My ways are not the ways of man. I create for My Kingdom and each creature fills a place in that Kingdom that could not be filled by another. He was created for My joy and his parents’ merits. He has never seen pain or sin. He has never felt hunger or pain. I breathed a soul into a seed, made it grow and called it forth.”

I am humbled before you, my Lord, for questioning Your wisdom, goodness, and love. I speak as a fool-forgive me. I acknowledge Your sovereign rights over life and death. I thank You for the life that began for so short a time to enjoy so long an Eternity.

Bless all expectant mothers who are placing their children for adoption and who may also be young and afraid.

They love their children so much that they are willing to place them with a loving family.

Bless, too, all the women who already have shown the sacrificial nature of a mother’s love in making adoption plans for their children.

Give them all your courage and your peace, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Though you must have been troubled by Mary’s news, you trusted in God’s promises.

Elizabeth, too, though she was thought to be barren, trusted in the promises of God, and she bore a son, John, who would herald the arrival of the Messiah.

Hear the prayers of all mothers who place their children for adoption and intercede for them before your adopted Son and Savior.

St. Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, pray for us.

You know the yearning in the hearts of married couples pursuing adoption.

They have so much love to give and wish to share that love with a child.

As you took Mary and Jesus into your home at Nazareth, may the grace of parenthood also be granted for such as these.

We beg your intercession before the Father.

St. Joseph, foster-father of Jesus, pray for us.

Be attentive to the needs of these women who long to welcome a child through adoption.

Give encouragement to all adoptive mothers, that, with the support of their husbands, they might know the joy that comes from a lifetime of serving as mother, nurturer, and friend.

Intercede for them before the Father, we ask you.

St. Joseph, spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us.

Give encouragement to all adoptive fathers, that with the support of their wives, they might know the joy that comes from serving as guardian, father, and protector.

St. Joseph, patron of fathers, pray for us.

You can take with you nothing

That you have received,

Only what you have given:

A full heart, enriched by honest service,

Love, sacrifice, and courage.