Tuesday, April 29, 2008

The Madonna Chapel - Helping to Foster the Dignity of Motherhood and Breastfeeding

Today at CatholicMom.com, we are featuring a wonder article by guest columnist Katie Williams entitled The Madonna Chapel: Helping to Foster the Dignity of Motherhood and Breastfeeding. Take a journey with Katie and her family as they visit the Madonna Chapel in Annawan, Illinois. Katie gives a wonderful overview of the benefits of breastfeeding and looks at the purpose behind this chapel and the art that adorns its walls. She shares her conversation with Father Timothy Sauppé, the chapel's founder. Enjoy!

Posted by Unknown at 6:17 AM

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3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I was really excited to see this article. And then I started reading it. I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy last August. My hasband and I practice NFP and I was prepared to breastfeed... I knew all the positives for me and my child and desperately wanted to do it. Except I couldn't. One of my breasts didn't produce milk at all and the other my son wouldn't latch on even though I met with a lactation consultant numerous times. I was devastated. I felt like I failed my son then and I still feel guilty today. I know that if a woman is able she should absolutely breastfeed. However, Mrs. Williams made it seem like giving your child formula is committing a mortal sin. As many people have reassured me numberous times it ist not and a mother who is physically unable to breastfeed should not be made to feel like she is failing her child. I understand that the percentage of women who can't breastfeed is very small, but for those who legitimately can't an article like this one can be devastating. Hopefully I will increase in all the virtues listed in the article just by spending time with my son, even if that time isn't spent breastfeeding.

12:45 PM
Unknown said...

Elizabeth - thanks so much for sharing your comments. I truly believe that Mrs. Williams did not mean to harm anyone like you (or me!) who is unable to breastfeed. I experienced a situation very similar to you and felt the same sense of sadness. My son, now 16, was diagnosed with failure to thrive and though we tried desperately to breastfeed, it did not work with him. I know that your son is very lucky to have such a wonderful mom!! Thanks again for taking time to comment!
Lisa

3:15 PM
Anonymous said...

Dear Elizabeth,
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my article. I am deeply sorry for the sadness and difficulty that you went through trying to breastfeed your son. I cannot imagine the disappointment and discouragement that you must have felt. My intent in writing this article was to encourage all Catholic moms to do just what you did- attempt to breastfeed their children. As you know, God’s grace will more than compensate when mothers try to breastfeed and are unable. We live in a culture where the bottle is the norm and the breast is the exception and my article is an attempt to encourage moms to reconsider this cultural norm. May God continue to bless your family.
Sincerely,
Katie Williams

6:14 PM

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