S4 E11 The Grief of Dads with Patrick O’Hearn

Shownotes

When we think about miscarriage, it is a lot like grief in that it is a tender topic that makes people uncomfortable to talk about. We also tend to think of it only in terms of how it affects the mother. But what about men who experience the loss of a child from miscarriage or stillbirth? How is the grief different and how can men help other men who have had similar experiences? And how can the saints help?

Our Guest

Patrick O'Hearn is a devout Catholic, husband, and father. He is an author, literary consultant, speaker, and a freelance editor, previously serving as TAN Books' acquisitions editor for two years.

He grew up in the Midwest and spent close to three years in a Benedictine Monastery before discerning the call to marriage. He graduated with a master's in education from Franciscan University of Steubenville and a bachelor's in marketing from St. Ambrose University

Links from the show

• ⁠Red Bird Ministries

• Nursery of Heaven

• Aleteia article on The Grief of Dads

• The Grief of Dads: Support and Hope for Catholic Fathers Navigating Child Loss by Patrick O’Hearn, Bryan Feger, Ryan Breaux

• Mourning Glory Podcast: When a Loved One Dies By Suicide with Deacon Ed Shoener 

• Chiara Corbella Petrillo: A Witness to Joy

• Grieving Together: A Couple’s Journey Through Miscarriage by Laura Kelly Fanucci and Franco David Fanucci

• Our Lady of Sorrows Devotion to Mary’s Seven Sorrows for Children

• Mourning Glory Podcast: S2 E7 Lent, Loss, and Miscarriage with Maria Riley

Journaling Questions

1. What struck you the most from the episode?

2. Have you experienced the loss through miscarriage or the loss of a child? If you have, what have you found that has comforted you? If you haven't, how can you provide comfort and support for a friend or loved one who has experienced the loss of a child?

3. Patrick discussed the fact that he felt like he had to be strong for his wife, which made him push aside his emotions until he couldn't. Have you experienced this in your own life? Explore those emotions.

4. Patrick also spoke about women he met who had an encounter with the Blessed Mother. Have you ever experienced an encounter like this?

5. What is your mourning glory?

Prayer for Patrick’s sisters in law who recently suffered miscarriages, Samantha and Kaylin