Inspired by “The Screwtape Letters” by C. S. Lewis My dear Gloomsprout, Your last report delighted me immensely. Your “patient” is progressing beautifully toward our goals. Twenty-eight months of trying to conceive, twenty-four negative pregnancy tests, one miscarriage and one chemical pregnancy have prepared the soil magnificently. But do not grow complacent, nephew. The real harvest is just beginning.  You’ve attacked her identity brilliantly. She no longer sees herself as

I am somewhat ashamed to admit that when I first learned that the theme of the Jubilee Year was “hope”, I just about physically gagged. My relationship with the idea, the virtue, the gift of hope, after 10+ years of infertility… let’s just say it’s a bit rocky.

I must admit that at times, I have had a challenging relationship with our Blessed Mother. It is something that I am working through. In my weakest moments, I envy Mary. Here I am, with a barren womb, empty and broken. Yet Mary immaculately conceived Jesus at a young age. She simply said “yes” to God’s will and suddenly she was pregnant. That is the impression we get sometimes, isn’t it? What could the Mother of God know of infertility or the long wait toward adoptive parenth

Several years ago, my husband and I made a pilgrimage to St. Augustine, Florida to visit the shrine of Our Lady of La Leche . I had first heard about this Marian shrine from a friend, who described it as a peaceful place where she and countless others had visited to pray for a child . I arrived at the shrine not fully sure what to expect. Just a few hours later, I left in awe – transformed by an unexpected encounter with Christ. My encounter with Jesus took place in the sacra

As his wife, I vividly recall the day his words about IVF made me realize that pursuing it might create an unbridgeable gap

Discerning next steps can be challenging enough on your own, but discerning as a married couple is sometimes even harder. When it comes to..

The same feeling I have had many times throughout my life is here again. I’m lost. It is extremely hard to watch other families live a...

At the foundation of every couple’s union is the art of communication. Through the spoken word, physical cues, and rituals of affection...

V/. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary, R/. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. V/. Behold the handmaid of the Lord, R/. Be it done unto me according to your Word. Hail Mary… V/. And the Word was made flesh, R/. And dwelt among us. Hail Mary… V/. Pray for us, O h

And yet, to many, it seems IVF provided the exit ramp from our most profound suffering. From an outsider's perspective, everything we...

Shiloh IVF Ministry has formed as a new ministry, uniquely set up to accompany and serve women, men and couples who are struggling with heal

Successful, in the sense that four beautiful human lives were created. Unsuccessful in the sense that no babies were born.

Every human life is sacred. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2258) That includes yours and mine. All life comes to fruition through...

Before I ever knew that we were infertile, God knew. Yet my husband and I never had any doubt that we were meant for each other. I truly...

The God of creation made everything that is, and there are still so many things He has not yet made. I don’t know how, I don’t know why...

(This is an excerpt from “The Spiritual Advent of Infertility” manuscript. This is the first in a 4-part series. You can find the links to parts 2, 3, and 4 at the end of this blog.) Infertility can be a very raw experience of loss and grief. A very basic part of the human experience is missing. How are we to make sense out of it all? The Nicene Creed shares with us the very basic tenets of our faith. It sheds light on our understanding of who God is and who we are in relatio

The Fruitful Hollow has been a beacon of hope and understanding for many of us carrying the cross of infertility, encouraging us to be...

If you’re new to NFP, it can be confusing to hear mention of different methods, and often we only hear about whichever one is promoted in...

"I have come so they may have life and have it more abundantly" says Jesus in John 10:10. It is the desire of every human heart, to live an

If you’ve ever fasted during Lent, then you will probably have heard about fasting as a means of spiritual discipline. And rightly so!...