For many of us, the journey of infertility feels like an unending Advent; we wait and we hope, only to be met with an unceasing feeling of emptiness. However, in the story of our Faith, we learn that emptiness is not the end of the story. In fact, it is often the very place where God’s greatest miracles unfold.

At Easter, we celebrate the empty tomb. For three days, Jesus’ tomb symbolized despair, loss, and death. But when the stone was rolled away, emptiness became the ultimate sign of hope. Jesus’s Resurrection transformed what seemed like the end into a new beginning, with a promise of eternal life. The empty tomb reminds us that God’s power is made perfect in what the world sees as defeat. It shows us that in the places where we feel most abandoned, God is already working a greater plan.

At Christmas, our focus shifts. We see countless images of Mary carrying the Savior of the world within her. But after Jesus’ birth, Mary’s womb was empty once more. According to Catholic Tradition, Mary and Joseph did not have biological children together. Her role as a mother — though unparalleled in its significance — did not involve raising a house full of little ones. Her trust in God extended beyond the physical, beyond the ordinary expectations of motherhood. Mary’s empty womb was not a symbol of loss but of fulfilled purpose.

As women experiencing infertility, we can find a profound connection with Mary. She teaches us that motherhood is not solely defined by biology, and that our worth is not measured by the number of children we bear. Instead, she invites us to trust in Jesus, who fills all emptiness with His presence and purpose.

It’s not easy to trust when the waiting feels endless. The pain of infertility is real and deep. It’s okay to grieve, to cry out to God, and to let Him know the desires of your heart. Even Mary, in her perfection, did not know how everything would turn out and, with a heart full of trust, still asked: “How can this be?” (Luke 1:34). It is okay to let the Lord know your hopes and fears, and to ask Him to comfort you in the darkness of not knowing.

But Mary  shows us how to fully say “yes” to God’s plan, even when it’s not what we expected. Her Fiat —“May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38) — was a radical act of trust. She didn’t know how everything would unfold. She didn’t have all the answers. But she believed in the goodness of God.

We are called to that same trust. It doesn’t mean we stop praying for the miracle of a child. It doesn’t mean that we suppress our emotions or pretend that the pain isn’t there. But it does mean opening our hearts to the possibility that God’s plan for our lives might look different than we imagined — and trusting that His plan is good.

When our wombs remain empty, it’s easy to feel like something is missing. But Jesus invites us to let Him eradicate that emptiness with His love. Just as the empty tomb was transformed into a symbol of victory, our empty wombs can become places where God’s grace shines most brightly.

Shelby O’Brien lives in Michigan with her husband, Conner, whom she met while studying at Ave Maria School of Law. Shelby is a legal research consultant with a background in social work and leads Confirmation preparation at her local church. Shelby and her husband have one adorable cat named Daisy but have been navigating infertility since getting married in May 2022. Shelby is excited to join her sister, Amy, as a Springs in the Desert writer!