1261 As regards children who have died without Baptism, the Church can only entrust them to the mercy of God, as she does in her funeral rites for them. Indeed, the great mercy of God who desires that all men should be saved, and Jesus' tenderness toward children which caused him to say: "Let the children come to me, do not hinder them," allow us to hope that there is a way of salvation for children who have died without Baptism. All the more urgent is the Church's call not to prevent little children coming to Christ through the gift of holy Baptism.
Please pray for the Cooper family during this time of loss.
From Kody Cooper, father of Bosco: Our Beloved son was stillborn into Dee’s hands at 730pm on 4/20/21, 4lbs 4oz. I wrote the following for him.
O the sounds I long to hear
A Song for My Son
Kody W. Cooper
Soft breathing, mattress crinkle, late night cries. Shush and soothing suckle, mama’s lullabies.
O the sounds I long to hear.
The ascent of the stairs, the last few steps’ squeak, Across wood floor, the pitter-pattering feet.
O the sounds I long to hear.
Games of “Tiger Cage,” the roar and the chase. The squeals and the laughter, getting back to base.
O the sounds I long to hear. Bedtime earthquakes, prayer responses, tired eyes, “I love you, Dada,” as I turn off lights.
O the sounds I long to hear.
The whiffs and the whooshes of your first swings, And when the ball dances and metal bat sings.
O the sounds I long to hear.
“Watch this trick Dada, I can jump so high.” “Daddy, watch me! I’m going down the slide!”
O the sounds I long to hear.
Wrestling with your brothers, grappling boys. Crying when you lose, fighting over toys.
O the sounds I long to hear.
Giggling with your sisters, making up rhymes. Chasing them about, slippery rock climbs.
O the sounds I long to hear. Board game cheers, first time you ever beat dad. (Obviously you cheated, but I’m glad.)
O the sounds I long to hear.
Your feet marching in our little platoon, Head’s and heart’s virtues growing, in Love’s womb.
O the sounds I long to hear.
Your questions about this and about that. Discussions and arguments we’ll never have.
O the sounds I long to hear.
The cries of skinned knees, and your first heartbreak. The cries of your mom on your wedding day.
O the sounds I long to hear.
The cries of the babies you’ll never have. Their pitter-patters, and Love-you-Granddads.
O the sounds I long to hear.
The words and songs of the man I’d have raised…
O how I desire to hear from him!
The person who, instead, for us now prays.
O the sounds I long to hear.
Baptized by our desire, Bosco Joseph Paul— Entrusted to whom loved least of us, all— The choirs of angels rang out, my son. With them and the saints you’re called by the One.
O the sounds I long to hear.
The song they sang for you, Lully Lullay Your brothers and sisters’ loving good-bye.
O the sounds I long to hear.
Laughter with Herod’s victims, Glory Be. Praying for us till we rise from the East.
O the sounds I long to hear.
At last we’ll meet again, and I’ll hear your voice. And together, forever, we shall rejoice.