For anybody that still cares :), after mulling over my Belly Dance Solo Crisis last night, and getting a little feedback, I decided that I really want to give it a go with my sword for the upcoming hafla. I gave the issue some careful thought last night plus I spent some time at lunch browsing the boards at Bhuz, the big online belly dance community that I lurk at, and I found some great words of wisdom there.
What I realized is that I am genuinely good at balancing the sword, and it's really important to allow yourself to recognize your strengths (and weaknesses, of which there are many). I'm good at balancing it on my *head* that is. I don't like to balance the sword on my hip (I saw a dancer do this once, and I swear it, my heart nearly stopped beating it looked so precarious and I was so nervous for her) and I cannot balance it on my shoulder without the skin there turning beet red, and that isn't exactly a pleasing sight for the audience.
And please, for the love of all that is holy, let us agree that one should never, EVER balance a sword across ones breasts. Never.
Ever.
I've seen dancers who really enjoy the "lead up" to balancing the sword, lots of finagling with the sword, wielding it around. I really don't do that. I agree that there has to be *some* anticipation, it makes the eventual balancing seem more impressive. But I don't linger over this.
So, what do all of these ramblings mean? When a dancer performs, she should capitalize on what she is good at. I'm a good dancer, and I isolate well, and that's why I took to balancing so happily. My song has a nice introduction, and what I plan to do is let a little music go by prior to entering (I always do this when I solo, it's another way of building up some nice anticipation. The audience is waiting for YOU, not the other way around; one has to find their inner diva to be a belly dancer, trust me, you simply have no choice) and then "just dance" for a minute or so, enjoying my freedom of movement with no prop. So I can travel a lot, be real gooey, all that good stuff.
Then I can pick up my sword and dance with it for a short bit in my hands, the anticipation building thing. Then I balance, and there's maybe a minute and a half to two minutes left in the music. There is a part of the song that picks up a bit and this is a good time to do some shimmies while balancing and perhaps a spin if the sword karma is working in my favor. If I'm feeling at all nervous about it I do NOT spin with the sword on my head. Just not worth it. There is plenty of other things that I can do while balancing. Lots of hip and torso movement and I can do some gentle traveling.
For some reason it made me feel better to realize that I don't need to get fancy with the sword. I can dance well with it on my head and that is enough all by itself. Many dancers do floorwork with the sword, and while that can be beautiful, I usually choose not to do this, it's not really my thing. I don't really have enough time for the careful getting down and getting back up since I want to dance without the sword for a time prior to balancing.
I think that one important thing I have learned since I started performing is to cherish each movement. It's easy to think to yourself: "oh this is *boring*! The audience will be bored if I don't do something different RIGHT NOW!" If you feel confident and project that confidence into your dance even into the simplest hip drop looks amazing and beautiful to the audience.
Claire had a wonderful anecdote once that really stuck with me. She was hired to do a bellygram and the space that she had to dance in was very small. She busted out her best movements to try and compensate and balanced her sword with aplomb. But it was only when she stopped dancing and paused to simply gaze over her shoulder at her audience while merely sweeping her arm back and undulating her hands that she heard somebody say, "Oh wow, she's good."
So I'm going to practice with the sword tonight. I thought maybe I could start by crafting a few combinations that will work with sword and then I can try improvising later this week. As you can imagine, you cannot move your head quickly when you're balancing a prop and you have to be very careful with your arms lest you knock the sword off your own head.
Ask me how I know this.
But you can change level (very carefully) and travel a bit so I'm going to work on those things and build my confidence. I genuinely enjoy dancing with my sword, as opposed to my veil. I *want* to love my veil, but the whole time I know I'm sending hateful vibes its way such as "God, I loathe when you tangle like that" and "if I develop a case of static cling I will burn you in the backyard before nightfall."
I hope this goes well. But I feel better after writing this post, so thank you for listening. :)
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
St. Gerard Novena, Day 5...
Novena to St. Gerard
Most Blessed Trinity, I, Your child, thank You for all the gifts and privileges which You granted to St. Gerard, especially for those virtues with which You adorned him on earth and the glory which You now impart to him in heaven. Accomplish Your work, Oh Lord, so that Your kingdom may come about on earth. Through his merits, in union with those of Jesus and Mary, grant me the grace for which I ask.... (Mention your request)
And you, my powerful intercessor, St. Gerard, always so ready to help those who have recourse to you, pray for me. Come before the throne of Divine Mercy and do not leave without being heard. To you I confide this important and urgent affair.... Graciously take my cause in hand and do not let me end this novena without having experienced in some way the effects of your intercession. Amen.
Pray 9 Hail Mary's.
Most Blessed Trinity, I, Your child, thank You for all the gifts and privileges which You granted to St. Gerard, especially for those virtues with which You adorned him on earth and the glory which You now impart to him in heaven. Accomplish Your work, Oh Lord, so that Your kingdom may come about on earth. Through his merits, in union with those of Jesus and Mary, grant me the grace for which I ask.... (Mention your request)
And you, my powerful intercessor, St. Gerard, always so ready to help those who have recourse to you, pray for me. Come before the throne of Divine Mercy and do not leave without being heard. To you I confide this important and urgent affair.... Graciously take my cause in hand and do not let me end this novena without having experienced in some way the effects of your intercession. Amen.
Pray 9 Hail Mary's.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Happy belly dancing news...
My bellydance studio has moved to a new home and my class danced there this past Friday. BEAUTIFUL.
It was funny, because the building hadn't been rented in years and years and was in sore need of some TLC. We're talking shag carpet on the walls, hideous light fixtures, unexplainable garlic skins littered everywhere, and a bathroom that needed to be gutted. The performance group took some "before photos" over there about a month ago.
Seeing it now you would never know it's the same place. Bright pink, gold and orange abound, it's very "genie in a bottle" and just gorgeous. It's so large that we can now do group passes across the floor, which is a glorious thing.
So I'm now in a bellydance nirvana, but I'm still debating about my solo for the upcoming hafla. Today I actually made a pro and con list for using my sword during the solo (see "Is the Catholic Librarian Type A? infra).
Pros:
(1) I've never danced with my sword at a hafla before. I like to keep things different from hafla to hafla to challenge myself.
(2) The sword is a crowd pleaser and people will be more likely to remember my solo. Hopefully as in "wow, remember that girl that danced with a *sword* on her head?!" rather than "wow, remember that girl that danced and the sword fell off her head?!"
(3) It's one of my strengths. Veil is not my strength, nor is cane, and zills are non-existent. But I love my sword. Most of the time.
Cons:
(1) More anxiety involved with a prop. You can't control a prop in the same way you can control your own body.
(2) More room for error. It doesn't matter how many times you get that sword balanced with no trouble whatsoever during practice, in performance it's a whole different animal.
(3) More room for embarrassment and humiliation. This is a biggie.
Sooooo, what's a self respecting belly dancer to do? I have absolutely no idea. But I'm starting to have belly dancing dreams, so I know that it's on my mind.
*bites nails*
It was funny, because the building hadn't been rented in years and years and was in sore need of some TLC. We're talking shag carpet on the walls, hideous light fixtures, unexplainable garlic skins littered everywhere, and a bathroom that needed to be gutted. The performance group took some "before photos" over there about a month ago.
Seeing it now you would never know it's the same place. Bright pink, gold and orange abound, it's very "genie in a bottle" and just gorgeous. It's so large that we can now do group passes across the floor, which is a glorious thing.
So I'm now in a bellydance nirvana, but I'm still debating about my solo for the upcoming hafla. Today I actually made a pro and con list for using my sword during the solo (see "Is the Catholic Librarian Type A? infra).
Pros:
(1) I've never danced with my sword at a hafla before. I like to keep things different from hafla to hafla to challenge myself.
(2) The sword is a crowd pleaser and people will be more likely to remember my solo. Hopefully as in "wow, remember that girl that danced with a *sword* on her head?!" rather than "wow, remember that girl that danced and the sword fell off her head?!"
(3) It's one of my strengths. Veil is not my strength, nor is cane, and zills are non-existent. But I love my sword. Most of the time.
Cons:
(1) More anxiety involved with a prop. You can't control a prop in the same way you can control your own body.
(2) More room for error. It doesn't matter how many times you get that sword balanced with no trouble whatsoever during practice, in performance it's a whole different animal.
(3) More room for embarrassment and humiliation. This is a biggie.
Sooooo, what's a self respecting belly dancer to do? I have absolutely no idea. But I'm starting to have belly dancing dreams, so I know that it's on my mind.
*bites nails*
St. Gerard Novena, Day 4...
Most Blessed Trinity, I, Your child, thank You for all the gifts and privileges which You granted to St. Gerard, especially for those virtues with which You adorned him on earth and the glory which You now impart to him in heaven. Accomplish Your work, Oh Lord, so that Your kingdom may come about on earth. Through his merits, in union with those of Jesus and Mary, grant me the grace for which I ask.... (Mention your request)
And you, my powerful intercessor, St. Gerard, always so ready to help those who have recourse to you, pray for me. Come before the throne of Divine Mercy and do not leave without being heard. To you I confide this important and urgent affair.... Graciously take my cause in hand and do not let me end this novena without having experienced in some way the effects of your intercession. Amen.
Pray 9 Hail Mary's.
Friday, April 26, 2013
St. Gerard Novena, Day 3
*administrative note* I'm not online much on the weekends, so this will be a "workday novena." The saints are very used to this from me, trust me. :) I'll post day 4 on Monday and we'll continue from there. Over the weekend, I'll offer my rosary for the intentions of this novena.
Novena to St. Gerard
Most Blessed Trinity, I, Your child, thank You for all the gifts and privileges which You granted to St. Gerard, especially for those virtues with which You adorned him on earth and the glory which You now impart to him in heaven. Accomplish Your work, Oh Lord, so that Your kingdom may come about on earth. Through his merits, in union with those of Jesus and Mary, grant me the grace for which I ask.... (Mention your request)
And you, my powerful intercessor, St. Gerard, always so ready to help those who have recourse to you, pray for me. Come before the throne of Divine Mercy and do not leave without being heard. To you I confide this important and urgent affair.... Graciously take my cause in hand and do not let me end this novena without having experienced in some way the effects of your intercession. Amen.
Pray 9 Hail Mary's.
Novena to St. Gerard
Most Blessed Trinity, I, Your child, thank You for all the gifts and privileges which You granted to St. Gerard, especially for those virtues with which You adorned him on earth and the glory which You now impart to him in heaven. Accomplish Your work, Oh Lord, so that Your kingdom may come about on earth. Through his merits, in union with those of Jesus and Mary, grant me the grace for which I ask.... (Mention your request)
And you, my powerful intercessor, St. Gerard, always so ready to help those who have recourse to you, pray for me. Come before the throne of Divine Mercy and do not leave without being heard. To you I confide this important and urgent affair.... Graciously take my cause in hand and do not let me end this novena without having experienced in some way the effects of your intercession. Amen.
Pray 9 Hail Mary's.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Is the Catholic Librarian Type A?
I mean, does that even need to be a question? Seriously, let us count the ways. But a few things came up recently that made me realize this anew. The good news is that I'm no longer young enough that I worry about being so Type A or what other people think about that. It's like the further over 30 that you get, the more you feel: HERE I AM WORLD, TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT, BUT EITHER WAY I DON'T FREAKING CARE!!
So without further ado, here for your amusement is my Type A Top 5:
(1) I'm very routine oriented.
I mean, *snort*. I'm afraid to take vacations because they will "disrupt my routine." And I love my routine. On weekdays, breakfast with Mike and the kids. Drive in to work while listening to podcasts and praying a rosary. Park in the same lot, listen to belly dance music on the walk in (sometimes podcast if it's a particularly compelling one). Once in my office, boot up my computer and check all my tabs for new developments. Make a cup of tea. Work. Eat lunch at 11. Go for short walk. Knit with group at either 12 or 1. Work. Head back to car while listening to podcast (sometimes music, depends on dance schedule). Drive home. Have dinner with Mike and the kids. Play with kids til bedtime. Knit while watching tv with Mike. Read in bed til fall asleep. Sleep happily.
I heard an interview with a psychologist the other day who was talking about habits that we form. She said:
"You may drive one route to work but a different one home. You never switch them because 'that way would take longer!'".
I just about died laughing. That is SO true. And SO me. I do drive different routes to and from work and I wouldn't switch them for the world. IT WOULD TAKE LONGER, I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU SAY.
(2) I like order in my physical space.
I'm not saying that my spaces aren't a tad "lived in" (they're not museums) but there isn't anything on the floor in my office except furniture. Anne has one basket of toys that I let her keep in the living room, and the instant she stops playing with something I put it back into the basket. Sometimes this turns into an exercise in frustration, but I can't help myself. I get twitchy if there is stuff on the floor. Some would call this behavior obsessive compulsive. I prefer to call it "someone who thrives amongst organization." I was trained as an attorney, I think that's fitting. It's not freakish. Really it's not.
(3) I like to keep my stuff in pristine condition.
Now, this is a particularly challenging characteristic when you have children. It is difficult to hold on to one's sense of honor about pristine things when SOMEONE IS ALWAYS MESSING WITH MY STUFF.
My books, my yarn, my dance paraphernalia, the contents of my bedside table, IS NOTHING SACRED?! Obviously, you learn to let some things go. You have to, lest you lose your mind. But it isn't easy, especially when I'm just as compulsive with the kids' toys that I buy them as I am about my own stuff.
"Anne, where are the piggy's coins? There are supposed to be 10, and now there are only 7!!"
"Honey, we're missing a few pieces from Anne's toy food collection. Please be on the lookout for an orange peel and some peas in a pod."
"Fran-ces-CO!"
"Oh Anne, did you take the Our Lady of Fatima set down again? You know Mommy likes to be there when you play with that. Did Francesco roll under the couch?"
"Jacinta!"
"Oh dear, we have multiple children in need. I'll move the couch!"
(4) I have belly dance index cards.
I've mentioned this before, but when I have an upcoming dance performance in which I plan to dance solo and improvise, I consult a deck of index cards on which I've written every belly dance movement I've ever learned. What I do with them when I practice is lay out a couple and then improvise to some music, making certain to use the movements on the selected cards. That way, I expand my muscle memory when it comes time to actually perform. I combine different arms with a hip movement, do the hip movement in different directions, perhaps layer the hip movement. It just acts as a brainstorming session to bring out new ideas that I'll have a better chance of remembering at crunch time.
However, I've taken it to a new level of late. My index cards have been updated and color coded. I now have 4 categories: (1) Pink for hips, (2) green for traveling steps, (3) blue for torso and shoulder movements, and (4) orange for arms. I'm now going to draw a card from each color family every time I practice improvising.
I think I'm making this into a very administrative affair because I'm a little more nervous than usual about the upcoming hafla. It's a free event for the new studio's grand reopening, and people who have never seen me dance have asked me dance questions recently. It seems natural to invite them to the hafla, and they've all beamed and said that they'd love to come.
Gulp.
And this when I'm planning to dust off my sword. I hope it isn't a disaster.
(5) I don't like change.
This relates back to number 1, but it's about more than a mere routine. I struggle accepting new things into my happy world and turn such new things into a Big Deal in my own mind.
"Mommy, can we get a pet?"
"No Honey. Remember, you're allergic to cats and dogs."
Whew! I love animals, but the thought of taking care of one of them is overwhelming to me. Because you know, it would be NEW.
"What about a goldfish?"
"Sweetie, I just don't think I'm ready to handle that much responsibility."
Because a goldfish is just the epitome of GRAND RESPONSIBILITY.
So there you have it. Relating back to item numbers *1 through 5*, we're having the hardwood floors in our house refinished soon and I'm FREAKING OUT about it. We have to move every piece of furniture from our living room and dining room into a combination of the kitchen and the guest room and the process is going to take a WEEK.
*faints*
What am I going to do?! I won't be able to practice dance, and the hafla is right after that. Everything will be in disarray and covered in sawdust. I don't know if we'll even be able to eat in the house for a WEEK. And I'm hoping that we'll still be able to sleep there or else we're going to have to stay in one of our parents' basements for a WEEK.
This is going to suck. Badly. All I want is my routine. Is that so much to ask for?
Maybe I *am* a freak.
So without further ado, here for your amusement is my Type A Top 5:
(1) I'm very routine oriented.
I mean, *snort*. I'm afraid to take vacations because they will "disrupt my routine." And I love my routine. On weekdays, breakfast with Mike and the kids. Drive in to work while listening to podcasts and praying a rosary. Park in the same lot, listen to belly dance music on the walk in (sometimes podcast if it's a particularly compelling one). Once in my office, boot up my computer and check all my tabs for new developments. Make a cup of tea. Work. Eat lunch at 11. Go for short walk. Knit with group at either 12 or 1. Work. Head back to car while listening to podcast (sometimes music, depends on dance schedule). Drive home. Have dinner with Mike and the kids. Play with kids til bedtime. Knit while watching tv with Mike. Read in bed til fall asleep. Sleep happily.
I heard an interview with a psychologist the other day who was talking about habits that we form. She said:
"You may drive one route to work but a different one home. You never switch them because 'that way would take longer!'".
I just about died laughing. That is SO true. And SO me. I do drive different routes to and from work and I wouldn't switch them for the world. IT WOULD TAKE LONGER, I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU SAY.
(2) I like order in my physical space.
I'm not saying that my spaces aren't a tad "lived in" (they're not museums) but there isn't anything on the floor in my office except furniture. Anne has one basket of toys that I let her keep in the living room, and the instant she stops playing with something I put it back into the basket. Sometimes this turns into an exercise in frustration, but I can't help myself. I get twitchy if there is stuff on the floor. Some would call this behavior obsessive compulsive. I prefer to call it "someone who thrives amongst organization." I was trained as an attorney, I think that's fitting. It's not freakish. Really it's not.
(3) I like to keep my stuff in pristine condition.
Now, this is a particularly challenging characteristic when you have children. It is difficult to hold on to one's sense of honor about pristine things when SOMEONE IS ALWAYS MESSING WITH MY STUFF.
My books, my yarn, my dance paraphernalia, the contents of my bedside table, IS NOTHING SACRED?! Obviously, you learn to let some things go. You have to, lest you lose your mind. But it isn't easy, especially when I'm just as compulsive with the kids' toys that I buy them as I am about my own stuff.
"Anne, where are the piggy's coins? There are supposed to be 10, and now there are only 7!!"
"Honey, we're missing a few pieces from Anne's toy food collection. Please be on the lookout for an orange peel and some peas in a pod."
"Fran-ces-CO!"
"Oh Anne, did you take the Our Lady of Fatima set down again? You know Mommy likes to be there when you play with that. Did Francesco roll under the couch?"
"Jacinta!"
"Oh dear, we have multiple children in need. I'll move the couch!"
(4) I have belly dance index cards.
I've mentioned this before, but when I have an upcoming dance performance in which I plan to dance solo and improvise, I consult a deck of index cards on which I've written every belly dance movement I've ever learned. What I do with them when I practice is lay out a couple and then improvise to some music, making certain to use the movements on the selected cards. That way, I expand my muscle memory when it comes time to actually perform. I combine different arms with a hip movement, do the hip movement in different directions, perhaps layer the hip movement. It just acts as a brainstorming session to bring out new ideas that I'll have a better chance of remembering at crunch time.
However, I've taken it to a new level of late. My index cards have been updated and color coded. I now have 4 categories: (1) Pink for hips, (2) green for traveling steps, (3) blue for torso and shoulder movements, and (4) orange for arms. I'm now going to draw a card from each color family every time I practice improvising.
I think I'm making this into a very administrative affair because I'm a little more nervous than usual about the upcoming hafla. It's a free event for the new studio's grand reopening, and people who have never seen me dance have asked me dance questions recently. It seems natural to invite them to the hafla, and they've all beamed and said that they'd love to come.
Gulp.
And this when I'm planning to dust off my sword. I hope it isn't a disaster.
(5) I don't like change.
This relates back to number 1, but it's about more than a mere routine. I struggle accepting new things into my happy world and turn such new things into a Big Deal in my own mind.
"Mommy, can we get a pet?"
"No Honey. Remember, you're allergic to cats and dogs."
Whew! I love animals, but the thought of taking care of one of them is overwhelming to me. Because you know, it would be NEW.
"What about a goldfish?"
"Sweetie, I just don't think I'm ready to handle that much responsibility."
Because a goldfish is just the epitome of GRAND RESPONSIBILITY.
So there you have it. Relating back to item numbers *1 through 5*, we're having the hardwood floors in our house refinished soon and I'm FREAKING OUT about it. We have to move every piece of furniture from our living room and dining room into a combination of the kitchen and the guest room and the process is going to take a WEEK.
*faints*
What am I going to do?! I won't be able to practice dance, and the hafla is right after that. Everything will be in disarray and covered in sawdust. I don't know if we'll even be able to eat in the house for a WEEK. And I'm hoping that we'll still be able to sleep there or else we're going to have to stay in one of our parents' basements for a WEEK.
This is going to suck. Badly. All I want is my routine. Is that so much to ask for?
Maybe I *am* a freak.
St. Gerard Novena, Day 2
Novena to St. Gerard
Most Blessed Trinity, I, Your child, thank You for all the gifts and privileges which You granted to St. Gerard, especially for those virtues with which You adorned him on earth and the glory which You now impart to him in heaven. Accomplish Your work, Oh Lord, so that Your kingdom may come about on earth. Through his merits, in union with those of Jesus and Mary, grant me the grace for which I ask.... (Mention your request)
And you, my powerful intercessor, St. Gerard, always so ready to help those who have recourse to you, pray for me. Come before the throne of Divine Mercy and do not leave without being heard. To you I confide this important and urgent affair.... Graciously take my cause in hand and do not let me end this novena without having experienced in some way the effects of your intercession. Amen.
Pray 9 Hail Mary's.
Most Blessed Trinity, I, Your child, thank You for all the gifts and privileges which You granted to St. Gerard, especially for those virtues with which You adorned him on earth and the glory which You now impart to him in heaven. Accomplish Your work, Oh Lord, so that Your kingdom may come about on earth. Through his merits, in union with those of Jesus and Mary, grant me the grace for which I ask.... (Mention your request)
And you, my powerful intercessor, St. Gerard, always so ready to help those who have recourse to you, pray for me. Come before the throne of Divine Mercy and do not leave without being heard. To you I confide this important and urgent affair.... Graciously take my cause in hand and do not let me end this novena without having experienced in some way the effects of your intercession. Amen.
Pray 9 Hail Mary's.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Boys vs. Girls
From the strands of "Someday my prince will come..." emanating from our living room these days via Anne's Disney Princess Castle, comes a tale of having both a male and a female child.
"Anne, WOULD YOU TURN THAT DOWN?! I can hardly hear Spongebob!"
You know how it goes.
Anne: "Wipe!" She hates to have schmutz on her hands or to have a dirty diaper.
Henry: Would go for days without wiping his mouth or changing his underwear if we didn't intervene. Oh, and here's a gem - "Mommy I really had to go to the bathroom when I was outside playing. So I just peed over by the garage."
!
What is it about people with penises that makes them think that they can just use them to pee wherever they want?! THEY ARE DANGEROUS WITH THOSE THINGS.
Anne: Feeds bottles to her baby dolls and offers them food off her plate.
Henry: Eats too quickly to share with anybody.
Anne: Keeps track of her stuff. "Joan!" If a saint doll rolls under the couch, we are immediately alerted and asked to retrieve her. Yes, Anne is on an informal first name basis with her saints.
Henry: Wouldn't be able to find his own pants unless we aided him in this effort.
This all makes it sound like Anne is easier to live with than Henry. On the contrary. Henry is not a toddler and hence does not wake up on the wrong side of the crib and throw a temper tantrum in the middle of the kitchen. Nor does he throw food if he doesn't want it or refuse to put on his shoes when it's time to go anywhere.
It's always interesting in our house, to be sure.
"Anne, WOULD YOU TURN THAT DOWN?! I can hardly hear Spongebob!"
You know how it goes.
Anne: "Wipe!" She hates to have schmutz on her hands or to have a dirty diaper.
Henry: Would go for days without wiping his mouth or changing his underwear if we didn't intervene. Oh, and here's a gem - "Mommy I really had to go to the bathroom when I was outside playing. So I just peed over by the garage."
!
What is it about people with penises that makes them think that they can just use them to pee wherever they want?! THEY ARE DANGEROUS WITH THOSE THINGS.
Anne: Feeds bottles to her baby dolls and offers them food off her plate.
Henry: Eats too quickly to share with anybody.
Anne: Keeps track of her stuff. "Joan!" If a saint doll rolls under the couch, we are immediately alerted and asked to retrieve her. Yes, Anne is on an informal first name basis with her saints.
Henry: Wouldn't be able to find his own pants unless we aided him in this effort.
This all makes it sound like Anne is easier to live with than Henry. On the contrary. Henry is not a toddler and hence does not wake up on the wrong side of the crib and throw a temper tantrum in the middle of the kitchen. Nor does he throw food if he doesn't want it or refuse to put on his shoes when it's time to go anywhere.
It's always interesting in our house, to be sure.
St. Gerard Novena, Day 1
Novena to St. Gerard
Most Blessed Trinity, I, Your child, thank You for all the gifts and privileges which You granted to St. Gerard, especially for those virtues with which You adorned him on earth and the glory which You now impart to him in heaven. Accomplish Your work, Oh Lord, so that Your kingdom may come about on earth. Through his merits, in union with those of Jesus and Mary, grant me the grace for which I ask.... (Mention your request)
And you, my powerful intercessor, St. Gerard, always so ready to help those who have recourse to you, pray for me. Come before the throne of Divine Mercy and do not leave without being heard. To you I confide this important and urgent affair.... Graciously take my cause in hand and do not let me end this novena without having experienced in some way the effects of your intercession. Amen.
Pray 9 Hail Mary's.
Most Blessed Trinity, I, Your child, thank You for all the gifts and privileges which You granted to St. Gerard, especially for those virtues with which You adorned him on earth and the glory which You now impart to him in heaven. Accomplish Your work, Oh Lord, so that Your kingdom may come about on earth. Through his merits, in union with those of Jesus and Mary, grant me the grace for which I ask.... (Mention your request)
And you, my powerful intercessor, St. Gerard, always so ready to help those who have recourse to you, pray for me. Come before the throne of Divine Mercy and do not leave without being heard. To you I confide this important and urgent affair.... Graciously take my cause in hand and do not let me end this novena without having experienced in some way the effects of your intercession. Amen.
Pray 9 Hail Mary's.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
A new novena: St. Gerard
I had one request for a St. Gerard novena, so that's what I'm going to do. :) We can start tomorrow, and what I'll do is paste in the prayer each day, but I'm also going to offer up my daily rosary for the same intention. St. Gerard is the patron of mothers, expectant mothers, children, unborn children, childbirth, and good confessions. Sounds like a good combination to me.
Here is a link to the novena.
Here is a link to the novena.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)