We have difficult news to share:
Today we learned that Fulton’s heart has stopped beating. At an OBGYN ultrasound no heartbeat was detected. Elise had not felt any movement for a day or so. Our medical team at OSF confirmed via ultrasound that Fulton has gone to the Lord.
To be very honest this news hit us like a bus. Although we were praying hard for a miracle we were planning for the likelihood that Fulton would have short-life once born. We planned for a little baptism. We also planned to just hold him while playing some pretty music in the background while he was comforted in our arms. Although this is difficult we are confident in God’s plan.
Like so many people around the world we have been praying hard for a miracle for a complete healing. But we have also been praying hard for God’s will to be done. And so even though the outcome is not what we wanted it is in a way what we prayed for – God’s will. We take comfort in knowing our little Fulton did not suffer. As a few of our close friends have pointed out he “went from the womb to the Lord’s arms.”
Further we cannot help but to take a second look at the 39-week screenshot from his ultrasound and wonder: perhaps our little Fulton had a very special escort to Heaven.
Tonight we decided to come home and be together as a family with all of our children. Tomorrow our medical team will induce and Fulton will be delivered. We are told our pastoral care team will provide a special blessing. In the days ahead we will also plan a service and funeral. I don’t know what to expect because I have never been in this situation before. But I do know we have been surrounded by such an outpouring of kindness and love from family, friends and from people we have never met.
People keep saying how much our little Fulton has touched their hearts. People have shared incredible stories of their own loss. We have made new friends and we have been united with so many brothers and sisters in Christ from around the world. What a blessing it has been to see how Fulton’s life has brought so many people together in faith and prayer. Elise and I are so proud to be Fulton’s mom and dad.
Please know that each of you are in our prayers. You have helped our family to carry this cross. The days ahead will be difficult but we are joyful that God blessed us with Fulton for the last nine months.
We’ll have additional updates soon.
United in prayer!
Royce
Ps. We just want to say thanks! Our medical team including our private care doctors and the team at OSF have been so kind, gracious and supportive. We are so grateful for our family, friends, neighbors, strangers and our friends at St. Jude Parish. There are so many people and groups we wish to thank for their kindness, love, support and prayers. We will do so in the coming days. God Bless!
All day yesterday I kept praying for your family . I was really hoping Fulton would’ve been the archbishops MIRACLE ….. but he is GOD’s now . I can’t wait to meet Fulton in Heaven someday!!! Now you have another intercesor to pray for your living children !
Such a beautiful story of how every life matters. Rest Fulton.
I too was praying for a miracle but we have to accept God’s will. Baby Fulton has brought us all together! He is in heaven now and watching over all. Hugs and prayers for all!🙏💙
Will keep prayers for your blessed beautiful family✝️
Saint Fulton Joseph Hood, Infant Saint for your family and all of us who pray for you.
Your witness gives courage and uplifts Faith so much to so many
God love you✝️
I will keep you all in my prayers but especially Elise in the upcoming weeks ! Elise , your name will be in my daily Rosaries.
We have been praying daily for Fulton Joseph since we read his story. We’re so sorry for your loss, and will continue to pray for your family. We lost our granddaughter Madeline Grace at 23 weeks; she lived 8 hours and our son was able to baptize her. Her brothers pray to her in heaven and ask her to watch over them. Fulton has joined her there. He is in Jesus’ arms.
We understand your pain and your loss. Your faith, courage and grace are an inspiration for all Catholic families.
God bless you all.
I believe in a miracle for Fulton will rise again when delivered.i believe Easter will shine for us all for nothing is impossible with GOD.AMEN HAIL MARY FULL OF GRACE BE WITH THE HOOD FAMILY WITH YOUR MANTEL OF BLUE LIGHTAROUND THEM.PEACE LOVE AND JOY.
As parents you gave a heroic example to Fulton’s siblings. Accepting God’s will. Even if he passed away the love you gave him will be given to you a 100th fold when it is time to meet him in heaven.
My brother and his wife had a similar experience. My nephew Liam had no heart and he passed away at 7 months pregnancy.
My brother passed away last Summer of cardiac arrest. I know now he is with baby Liam.
May God grant you peace knowing you honored and loved your son even though you did not get to raise him.
God Bless you! Thank you for the lovely comment and for sharing your own story. United in prayer!
Hello, I just recently read your story of Fulton Joseph. There are no words to express in your suffering. I’m so sorry for your special and loving loss. Fulton is a inspiration to myself. This little Angel fought for life 💙. His strength and courage only encourages me to continue trusting more in our Lord. I pray for peace in all your hearts💕
You are a blessed family and now have a Special Angel in heaven watching over you. My deepest condolences and your family will always reign in my heart and prayers. God bless you all.
Fulton, Fulton full of life, you changed many hearts to be joined with yours. You inspired and transformed many lives with your strength and courage to comfort our hardships and relationships with God. You converted many souls to be in union with Jesus and our Blessed Mother Mary. Your life was short lived in you dear Mamas womb, but your memory will always be with me and so many other people. You are back home in Father’s loving arms. May you be my Angel in heaven looking after all my family and self. Sweet Fulton may you rest in peace and have a glorified life in heaven. Love and embraces to all your loving family. God bless you all!
Elizabeth
Praying for you all during this time . May our Lady comfort you both . Our little daughter had Potters syndrome and she passed away during labor. It’s a pain only parents who have lost a child understand. The Blessed Mother has helped me through very difficult times and I know she will help you also. The only advice I can say is hold him as much as you can when can. We had our children hold our baby too and took pictures so they were involved. This was last June during the middle of corona virus . The hospital staff was amazing and bent rules to allow our family to spend time with our baby. We did have a mass of the angels for her as well . I will continue to pray for you all . Our Lady of Sorrows pray for you.
Our prayers continue.
Our son Patrick O’Hearn co-authored “Nursery of Heaven: Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss in the Lives of the Saints and Today’s Parents”
May this book and all of Patrick and Amanda’s prayers and books help your family on journey to Heaven. Fulton Joseph is always with you, especially at every Holy Eucharist.
After the 2nd miscarriage for Patrick and Amanda and Catholic burial,
“ Nursery of Heaven” was written as resource to help other families.
We prayed for you all in Adoration last night, adding Fulton Joseph to our church prayer request book. May the Precious Blood of Jesus cover you, and may the Holy Face of Jesus give you strength, blessings and mercy through this time. We are keeping your children tucked into the Sacred Heart today, as I know how difficult it was to inform them. The miracle is that everyone in the world has a new little Saint to pray to for intercession before Jesus. Think of how many hearts little Fulton Joseph has touched in his beautiful life! You are a blessing to all of us. Thank you for sharing this intimate moment in your lives, and allowing us to join you in prayer. May God bless you!!!
Elise and Royce, it was only yesterday that we first read about Fulton Joseph. We immediately began to pray. On arising this morning, we were so sorry to read of your loss. Please accept our sincere condolences. We will continue to pray for you both and your beautiful family in the days ahead. May Our Blessed Mother, who knows the pain of losing her child, hold you close under her mantle. Your Fulton Joseph and your family are a beacon of goodness, hope and light to the world. God bless you all.
Dear Hood Family,
May God bless and comfort all of you in your agonizing loss. If it brings you any succor, it appears you are right about the “very special escort to Heaven.” It’s the Blessed Virgin Mary! If my eyes aren’t deceiving me, she is wearing blue, her face is in profile, and a veil covers her hair. How lucky Fulton Joseph is, to be escorted by the Blessed Virgin, would take him immediately to Jesus, her son! Fulton Joseph is now in the very best place he could be, the place we all hope to some day be – in Heaven with God. God bless you!
We just learned of your family and Fulton Joseph 2 days ago through our prayer group in New Orleans. Your story really touched us and especially since our daughter is making her Confirmation next week and is taking the name Fulton. We immediately started praying for your family’s intentions and especially for Fulton Joseph to be another miracle attributed to Fulton Sheen. I was so sorry to hear of your loss today and know that your family has prayers coming from everywhere. I know you are a family of faith and believe that Our Blessed Mother will be taking care of your little boy. Much love to you all.
Thank you everyone for the kindness and for the prayers. We are at the hospital now and they are inducing. Will try to post an update when we are able. God Bless you all.
Dear Elise and Royce I just read your beautiful story 💝my heart goes out to You both ,may the Lord comfort you and your beautiful family.
And your little angel 👼🏻 is in a wonderful paradise playing with our 3 angels Baby Angel .Jaiden and Giovanni singing angelical songs to our Savior ♥️
Will pray for strength 🙏🏻
Blessings….
Much love, hugs and prayers for you and your beautiful family. Thank you for sharing your story with us and for the trust you have in our loving Father. Rest in Heavenly arms Fulton Joseph.
My deepest sympathies and continued prayers for your beautiful family. Sharing your story showed so many people how precious life is at every stage. I cannot begin to know your heartache, but your faith in God will guide you along the way. Wishing you God’s peace.