– It's so crucial that your children have a worthy funeral. due to the fact that if the Church teaches that life is sacred from conception, it is our work to say goodbye to each of these children – said Fr Janusz Kościelniak, the diocesan minister of parents after loss. On July 15, 2025, another, third, mass ceremony of lost children was held in Krakow.
– Brothers and sisters, there are coffins in front of us with bodies of 3 100 six children dead born. You can be tempted to say that children are “about 300.” But we're not allowed to say that due to the fact that these are circumstantial children, any of whom have names... These children are 1 of us," said Fr Janusz Kościelniak, the diocesan pastor of parents of lost children.
– It's so crucial that your children have a worthy funeral. due to the fact that if the Church teaches that life is sacred from conception, it is our work to say goodbye to each of these children. These are our brothers, our sisters, these are the children of God.
– said Fr Kościelniak.
Celebrans emphasized that the Church understands the grief and pain of parents. Today, we say goodbye to these small things, and I'm certain it's very hard for you parents... But delight don't lose hope. Although the life of each of these children on this earth lasted for a short time, it continued, but already in eternity. Your kid lives and is with the loving Father in heaven," the priest addressed his parents.
The diocese priest of the parents of the lost children besides referred to the paper of the global Theological Commission "The Hope of Salvation for Children Who Die Without Baptism" treating the destiny of the lost children: – Sometimes parents ask what will happen to their child. Where is it? This paper clearly states that your children do not request prayer. If anything, you, as parents, can ask them to intercede. You have your intercessors in heaven," said the priest. And since we believe these children are in heaven, they are saints. And if they are saints, they can intercede for you," said Fr Kościelniak.
– On the another hand, dear brothers and sisters, you are entitled to your tears, to mourning. You're not allowed to tell me that nothing happened, that you might have more children. No, you can't do that. You must even mourn this loss. Look at Jesus: He besides cried over the death of Lazarus. Your tears are apparent due to the fact that you love those children that we say goodbye today," said the priest.
Fr Kościelniak emphasized that religion in Jesus Christ allows us to look further, beyond the grave and death: – Let us effort to realize, especially today, at this Holy Mass that together with your children we can worship the merciful God. Jesus says: “Do not let your heart be troubled. Do you believe in God? And believe in me!” Through faith, we can look with hope toward eternity. We can anticipate a gathering with the kids we say goodbye today. We can live with the cognition that your children will come out to meet you in heaven now," the celebrity added.
– Dear parents, human words are always inadequate, they are mediocre at the death of their beloved child. Therefore, alternatively of my words, I want to tell you Jesus ’ words of hope: “And he will wipe out all teardrop from their eyes, and death will be no more. Neither mourning nor outcry will there be any more toil." (Rev. 21:4). Again, please, do not lose hope – he finished.
The bodies of children were donated by the University infirmary in Krakow, they date from 1 January to 31 December 2024. This is the 3rd group burial, which was organized in 2025 in Kraków. The ceremony was organized by: the Municipal Social Assistance Centre, the Polish Society of Defenders of Human Life and the Diocese of the Families of Children Lost by the Archdiocese of Krakow.
The law presently in force in Poland provides for the burial of a lost child, regardless of the phase of pregnancy. If only the remains or bodies have been secured, they must be buried. If the household does not decide (for any reason) to collect the body, the work to bury the kid rests with the municipality.
