What better way to celebrate the feastday of the Holy Family than to have a brand new member, Bernadette Anna Bandzuch? Gus looks over at his sister, that just had the waters of baptism poured over her head, as if he knows that something profound has just taken place! You don't see a man in a white robe pour water over your sister's head three times in a row every day of the week. It was a most beautiful service between masses with Bill's family here from Pennsylvania, and the farmfolk from Marshall to help celebrate this glorious event.
Our Mother, Mary Most Holy, looks on as Nancy is given a beautiful blessing for mothers, as she holds her newly baptized daughter.
St Joseph looks upon Bill as he is blessed as a loving and life-giving Father or little Lamb, Bernadette! Such a beautiful event to happen in our family this day of the true celebration of FAMILY!
This touching quote by ST Therese of Lisieux... The Joy of the Holy Family
"Saint Joseph: Mary! Let me spend my energy in the service of Jesus. It is for him and for you that I work; this thought gives me courage and helps me to bear fatigue. And then, when I return in the evening, one caress from Jesus, a single glance from you make me forget the day's labors.
He wipes the sweat from his brow, then sits down by Mary and looks at the Child Jesus. The Blessed Virgin puts him on St Joseph's knees, then his face takes the expression of Celestial JOY, he pressed the Divine Child to his heart, kisses him lovingly and says to him:
Little Child! How sweet Your smile is!...Is is really true that I, the poor carpenter Joseph, have the happiness of holding in my arms the King of heaven, the Savior of humanity?... Is is true that I have the sublime mission of being the foster father to him whose presence satisfies the ardent seraphim and who nourishes every creature? Is it true that I am the spouse of the Mother of God, the guardian of her virginity?...
O Mary! Tell me, what is this profound mystery?... The Desired of the eternal hills, the Emmanuel for whom all the patriarchs have sighed, sit on my knees and looks at me, his poor, unworthy servant.
The Blessed Virgin: Like you, Joseph, I am astonished to be able to press to my heart the Divine Child whose Mother I am; I am astonished that a little milk is needful to him who gives life to the world. (After a long, contemplative silence, Mary continues:) Soon Jesus will grow up and will have to teach the Creator of the universe how to work.... With you, he will earn his bread by the sweat of his adorable brow...."
St Therese of Lisieux (1897)
Jesus, thank you for the beauty of Family and Faith! Jesus, we trust in you. Bless-bless, Barb
Her namesake presenting her to Our Lady on her baptism day!
So beautiful!!!!
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