This is another cross that so many people have to bear, but I have been fortunate to avoid it. I can’t imagine the stress of infertility for a couple who very much wants to start a family. It must be even harder at a time when there is so much talk on social media and even in the news about unwanted pregnancies. Talk about pouring salt in the wound!
Fortunately, the social stigmas of being childless are somewhat better today than they were in biblical times. Sarah and Abraham, Elizabeth and Zechariah, and probably Anne and Joachim had the additional stress of a society that assumed a childless marriage was a sign of unworthiness in God’s eyes. Although that’s not the prevailing attitude today, I assume there is some residual problem with people who are judgmental of childless couples, whether it is by choice or not.
So maybe we should start there. Let’s ask St. Anne to pray for childless couples who suffer unfair judgment or criticism from others.
But the greatest heartache for couples who are unable to conceive a child certainly has very little to do with what other people might think. I imagine there is a terrible struggle to figure out why it is happening. There must be periods of self-doubt or even guilt as each partner blames him or herself. I assume Sarah and Elizabeth and Anne probably all had moments of anger and sorrow. They probably spent a lot of time wondering why God would abandon them. Those feelings must be the same today as they were in biblical times.
Issues with infertility and the related stress must be a strain on a marriage, too. I so admire those couples who are able to come together in those times and support one another. Today let’s also ask St. Anne to pray for couples who are struggling with infertility that they will be able to remember their love for each other and grow in that love as they find ways to accept this trial.
Finally, we certainly pray for all couples who want to conceive, that they finally experience that joy. Of course, we can’t possibly understand God’s plan in all its details, so we can never understand why there must be infertile couples. With that in mind, we also pray for those who remain infertile that God will help them to find consolation.
I think of the many people I know who were adopted children or who are adoptive parents. There are some very happy families that have grown from adoption. So let’s also pray for those couples who make the amazing decision to change a child’s life forever by giving him or her a forever home and family.
Lord, help us to appreciate the example of St. Anne as a woman of faith, as well as a wonderful mother and grandmother. Help us to guide our families as she must have done so well. Guide us to support all families in our communities and around the world, according to Your will.