How many children do you have? The question can be painful to couples who have suffered the loss of a child or who struggle to conceive. 

To help bring peace to those suffering with this, the Diocese of Arlington started an annual novena for couples in 2015 struggling with infertility, miscarriage and early infant loss. This year, the nine-day novena runs from Dec. 4 through Dec. 12, ending on the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the unborn. 

“You know how the Lord works. You can come at the last hour and you still get the same pay.” Thérèse Bermpohl

More than 900 people have signed up to participate in the online novena so far, and more than 100 prayer intentions have been submitted. 

Every day the list of participants and intentions are given to Bishop Michael F. Burbidge so he can pray for the people by name. Some are praying to conceive, others pray to bring their pregnancies to term. 

According to Thérèse Bermpohl, director of the Office of Family Life, the annual novena has helped many couples. Some of them have written back to her over the past two years telling her that they received the peace they needed. One couple told her they found out they were expecting a month after the novena and are now proud parents. 

She encourages people to continue to sign up even if it’s the last day. 

“You know how the Lord works,” said Bermpohl. “You can come at the last hour and you still get the same pay.”

The office hopes to continue finding ways to support couples, who often feel they are alone in their pain. 

“We want people to know they are not forgotten,” said Bermpohl. “People really need healing and peace. It is so important to keep hoping in the Lord.”

Find out more

To sign up for the daily prayer alerts in English or Spanish, go to arlingtondiocese.org/novenawithbishop2017/.

To receive prayer text alerts in English, text novena17 to 84576.