A prayer of Thanks

[Tax-chick]

Do you have that in Spanish?

[Kolokotronis]

“Do you have that in Spanish?”

Sorry, no.

[Tax-chick]

Oh, well. Someday Pat will be able to translate from Greek to Spanish, but not yet.

It’s the custom for our Spanish-speaking congregation to bring their babies to church as quickly as possible for a blessing, and I’m sure our deacon would love that prayer. Baptisms can be put off, unfortunately, while they try to assemble family members and godparents sometimes from out of the country. Our musical group played for six baptisms of an extended family, from an infant to a teenage girl. A few weeks later, Deacon Rafael lectured the congregation on getting baptisms done promptly, “and if you need to get married first, talk to me right after Mass!”

[Kolokotronis]

Ah, well that's a bit like a prayer for the churching of a baby and her mother on the fortieth day after birth: "O Lord God Almighty, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who by Your word has made every rational and irrational creature, that brought all things out of nothingness into being: we pray to You and implore You, cleanse this Your servant, whom by Your Will You have preserved, and who now comes into Your Holy Church, from every transgression, so that she may be accounted worthy to partake of Your holy Mysteries without condemnation. Bless also this child which has been born of her; increase it sanctify it, give it understanding and a prudent and virtuous' mind; for You alone have brought it into being, and have shown her the light which bodily sense perceives, so that she might be accounted worthy also of the ideal light and be numbered with Your holy Flock; through Your Only‑Begotten Son, with Whom You are blessed, together with Your All‑Holy, Good and Life‑creating Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen." We do this on the Sunday next after the 40th day from birth as The Church presumes that both the mother and the baby have recovered from the birth and can safely and comfortably attend the liturgy.

[Tax-chick]

Yes, the 40-day purification period comes from the Old Testament law, and it was once a significant ritual in the Latin Church. These days, mothers and babies are usually mobile shortly after birth, although bleeding (very significant in the Jewish law) after birth goes on roughly 40 days.

Bill’s Confirmation is on June 13, and our baby is “officially” due the 14th, but I’m hoping to continue the trend of early deliveries (maybe even by the 4th, my father’s 73rd birthday) and be functional for Bill’s Mass. His Confirmation name will be “Vaclav.”

[annalex]

I’ve met worse heads. Remember, sleep when the baby sleeps.

Congratulations, dad. Deo gratias.

[Pyro7480]

Forgive me for my ignorance, but I didn’t know that the “damage” from birth lasted that long.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

Thanks be to God!

[Tax-chick]

Depend on the definition of “damage.” It is normal for post-partum bleeding to last 5 or 6 weeks; it’s usually not heavy after the first two weeks. However, heavy bleeding and severe pain after delivery are more likely when one has had many children. There’s also the thrill of false labor pains for three or four months before the birth.

[Allegra]

Congratulations! This is wonderful news.

[redgolum]

Thank you!

My bride and baby Faith are resting comfortably. Faith is a very regular nurser (good news) and is a pretty happy baby so far. She hates only two things.
A wet diaper and Dad trying to change said diaper. My bride laughs and says Faith just disappears in my big hands! She does love it when I hold her, and quietly tell her prayers and stories. Hopefully, she will be a non colic baby, and she is so beautiful I can't help smiling.

Anyway, I have some very specific chores to do!

[little jeremiah]

Good news! Yay!