Bishop Edward M. Grosz, auxiliary bishop of Buffalo, will offer a special blessing for unborn children and their expectant parents at the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday at St. Joseph Cathedral. In addition, prayers will be offered for couples who are hoping for the gift of a child and for couples who have suffered the loss of a child.
Approved by the Vatican in 2012, the Rite for the Blessing of a Child in the Womb is included in the Book of Blessings published by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The diocesan celebration, sponsored by the Office of Pro-Life Activities, is scheduled between the feast day of St. Gianna Molla (April 28), patron saint of mothers, physicians and preborn children, and Mother's Day (May 8).