A reader has asked for prayers — she’s newly pregnant and really needs support, encouragement, and financial stability. So many of us know what that’s like! Please keep her in your prayers, and may St. Anne and Our Lady intercede for her; may she have peace and joy and all the help she needs as she looks forward to welcoming her new baby. ❤
Month: March 2018
Birth announcement: Benjamin Peter!
I posted a consultation for Laura last summer, and an addendum a day later, and I’m delighted to share that she’s let me know her little guy has arrived and been given the so-handsome name … Benjamin Peter!
Laura writes,
“Good morning, Kate!
I just wanted to let you know that we welcomed out little guy! He was born exactly six weeks ago today on January 12th. Name wise we went with out gut instinct — Benjamin Peter.
I’ve never really been one to name a baby in-utero, but this time around it’s almost as if he named himself. No matter what, we just kept coming back to Benjamin, and when I would talk to him I’d use his name. I just find Benjamin to be such a strong name but also so sweet. I love it’s Biblical roots and although it seems to be gaining popularity, I still feel like it’s not super common.
We chose Peter as the middle name as a nod to both my grandfather and father. My grandfather was born Pietro but when he came to the US everyone called him Peter, so when my dad was born they named him Louis Peter. And of course St. Peter is pretty awesome, so there’s that.
And just to refresh your memory, Benjamin (also called Ben and Benji — a fun nickname from his siblings) joins
Matthew Darren
Margaret (Maggie, Mags) Claire
Abigail (Abby, Abs) Regina“
I looooove Benjamin, and I love it with Peter! What a handsome addition to this wonderful family!!
Congratulations to Laura and her husband and Matthew, Maggie, and Abby, and happy birthday Baby Benjamin!!
Benjamin Peter with his big siblings ❤ (and check out Laura’s Instagram for more photos of this sweet family!)
Another St. Gerard story!
I had a little mix-up with the Monday consultation post schedule, so I’m posting this wonderful story instead, which I’d originally planned to post tomorrow.
Alissa shared this awesome story with me:
“Hi Kate! I am a longtime reader and wanted to send you my St. Gerard story after seeing your call for St. Gerard stories a few days ago!
After trying to conceive our second for about 8 months including a miscarriage, I had a friend at Church recommend praying a Novena to St. Gerard. I honestly felt silly I had never thought of doing this since I’ve had a devotion to him since my first pregnancy, 3 years earlier. So, my husband and I along with my friend who recommended the Novena started the novena that same day. On the day after the Novena ended, I found out I was pregnant! Fast forward 9 months at the end of my pregnancy, I left my 39 week appointment with orders to head to the hospital for delivery that afternoon due to raising blood pressure. Since I was c-section, I was unable to eat from that point through my surgery, so my husband and I decided to go hang out at our local Church and pray a while. While we were sitting there, discussing possible names for the baby, I realized I hadn’t checked to see whose feast day it was. I was utterly speechless when I saw … October 16 … St. Gerard! WOW! God is so good!! Our sweet Gianna Malin (4th generation with Malin as a middle name!) was born that evening and is now a feisty 4 year old.
Thanks for letting me share that story. What sweet memories it brings! St. Gerard, pray for us!“
How cool is that?? I love hearing these St. Gerard stories! Thanks to Alissa for sharing this, and please feel free to send me any of your St. Gerard stories!
Gianna Malin, thanks to St. Gerard’s intercession and born on his feast day ❤
Birth announcement: McDonald John!
Grace and I had an email conversation about middle names a while ago, and she’s let me know her little guy has been born and been given the handsome and meaningful name … McDonald John!
Grace writes,
“I wanted to finally report back on what we ended up naming our baby!
Our son was born October 1 and we named him McDonald John. We’re calling him Mac. John was the name of my father’s only brother who passed away suddenly and fairly young a few years ago. After I got your email we talked mostly about John and one other idea and just really couldn’t settle on one or the other but after spending time with my dad one day and talking about his brother a lot I came home and was just overwhelmed with tears thinking about how much it would mean to my dad to have a grandson named after his brother so we settled on John. As I predicted, my dad was super touched and that means so much to me.”
McDonald is a family name for Grace — I love when family surnames work as first names! And I love love love love the nickname Mac, one of my favorites! And I love how meaningful the middle name is for Grace’s dad. Honor names can just be so amazing!
Congratulations to Grace and her hubby, and happy birthday Baby Mac!!
McDonald John
Sancta Nomina 