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Welcome to
Sacred Sorrows

Every day in the U.S, 1200 women's lives are forever

changed when they receive the news that their son,

daughter or grandchild has died. These deaths leave

women feeling alone and unmoored in their grief.

Sacred Sorrows was founded by one of these women.

 

You are not alone anymore.

Welcome to peace, hope and healing.

​

This message is for you:

"All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well." 

- Julian of Norwich

​Upcoming Events

  • Return & Renew Retreat: The Sacred Sorrows Journey Continues
    Return & Renew Retreat: The Sacred Sorrows Journey Continues
    Thu, Nov 07
    Jesuit Retreat Center of Los Altos
    Nov 07, 2024, 3:30 PM – Nov 10, 2024, 2:00 PM
    Jesuit Retreat Center of Los Altos, 300 Manresa Way, Los Altos, CA 94022, USA
    Nov 07, 2024, 3:30 PM – Nov 10, 2024, 2:00 PM
    Jesuit Retreat Center of Los Altos, 300 Manresa Way, Los Altos, CA 94022, USA
    Grieving moms that have attended a Sacred Sorrows retreat are invited to return for our annual renewal weekend. This year's theme is "Minding the Time". Discover the sacred in every moment, find God in all things, and connect in deeply meaningful and new ways.
  • Tucson 2025 Retreat: A Mother's Love & Loss - finding peace after the death of a son or daughter
    Tucson 2025 Retreat: A Mother's Love & Loss - finding peace after the death of a son or daughter
    Thu, Feb 06
    Redemptorist Renewal Center
    Feb 06, 2025, 3:30 PM – Feb 09, 2025, 2:30 PM
    Redemptorist Renewal Center, 7101 W Picture Rocks Rd., Tucson, AZ 85743
    Feb 06, 2025, 3:30 PM – Feb 09, 2025, 2:30 PM
    Redemptorist Renewal Center, 7101 W Picture Rocks Rd., Tucson, AZ 85743
    Allow your grief to meet grace as you slowly enter the respite of this 4-day retreat.
  • Springtime Tea Fundraiser
    Springtime Tea Fundraiser
    Sat, Apr 12
    Crowning Glory Tea Room
    Apr 12, 2025, 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
    Crowning Glory Tea Room, 16733 E Palisades Blvd, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
    Apr 12, 2025, 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
    Crowning Glory Tea Room, 16733 E Palisades Blvd, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
    Satisfy all your senses as you enjoy a proper "Springtime Tea" and its accompanying delights. Please join us to create memories and support a very special ministry. (Selecting your own seating time and dietary considerations are offered for this event.)
  • Los Altos 2025 Retreat: A Mother's Love & Loss - finding peace after the death of a son or daughter
    Los Altos 2025 Retreat: A Mother's Love & Loss - finding peace after the death of a son or daughter
    Thu, Apr 24
    El Retiro Jesuit Retreat Center
    Apr 24, 2025, 3:00 PM – Apr 27, 2025, 2:00 PM
    El Retiro Jesuit Retreat Center, 300 Manresa Way, Los Altos, CA 94022
    Apr 24, 2025, 3:00 PM – Apr 27, 2025, 2:00 PM
    El Retiro Jesuit Retreat Center, 300 Manresa Way, Los Altos, CA 94022
    Allow your grief to meet grace as you slowly enter the respite of this 4-day retreat.
Sunset Portrait
Hydrangea Flowers
Foggy Lake

Online & offline programs to help

you walk this unwanted walk.

Practical tips & guidance

to help you help her.

Supplemental support for the bereaved women you serve.

Welcome to
Sacred Sorrows

Pink Sky
Rita Morton, the founder and owner of Sacred Sorrows

Listen to a story about a mother's loss,

the strength of friendship, and the power of faith in the storm.

The Story of Sacred Sorrows

Click on the play button above to listen to an Interview conducted by Jennifer Ellis and Andrea Boring of "The Bishops Hour", a radio show and podcast presented by the Diocese of Phoenix. Based in a Catholic worldview, the content of this story will resonate with people of all faith traditions. Featuring Rita and her friend Kay Kandas.

Hi there. My name is Rita Morton and I'm the founder of Sacred Sorrows. I'm the "voice" you'll hear in the audios and the "thoughts" you'll read in the blog and other articles on this site. I started Sacred Sorrows to help grieving mothers, grandmothers, and the friends and family who love us. (In my own journey, I realized that our friends and family members desperately want to help, and often don't know what to do with us.
I wanted to offer solutions for that.)


I'm relieved that you found Sacred Sorrows, and sad about the loss that brought you here. I know you'd rather be anywhere other than in this situation. My heart is with you in spirit, and I'm deeply sorry for your loss. After I lost my son Chad in 2019, I went through some really hard times. I still do actually. Rough days and very hard nights. I know you know what I mean.

The time in between those hard times lengthens as I walk this journey.
And I hope the same will happen for you.


There are resources on this site that will help you in your transformation from who you were to who you will become. The truth is - and I think we both know it - you're certainly not going to be the same ever again. You, and I, and all the women here, have experienced such a traumatic and profound loss that it would be impossible to ever be the same again. So here we stand, on a path we never wanted to walk. You are invited to stand with us, as we walk alone and side-by-side. As you engage in the community here, I'd like to suggest that you focus on the similarities in our shared experience and not on our differences. There is much wisdom to be found in every woman's journey. Different stories, similar pain. Healing together. 

And for those of you who are friends and family members of a woman in grief, there are resources here for you too. Welcome.

Glad you're all here.

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