In less than two weeks, Ryan and I will be married. Holy cow.
This is more than just walking down the aisle, cutting the cake, and enjoying all of the wedding traditions; we are vowing to love and honor one another as husband and wife no matter what. The rest of our lives hinge on these simple words of profound meaning, and despite our best attempts to take in marriage advice from friends and theologians, nothing can truly prepare and sustain us like God's grace.
There is much left to do as we prepare for "the big day," but thankfully, we aren't nervous or even too stressed out (thanks in part to leftover Christmas cookies and wine!). Instead, we've been amazed by the generosity others have shown unto us. Our friends and family members have given us an overabundance of beautiful gifts to help us start our married life. My coworkers have been patient with my not-so-subtle attempts to sneak in wedding planning alongside youth ministry. Our friends have understood our busy schedules and have added much joy to these happy celebrations. Our families have increased our excitement as we count down the days. Truly, we are blessed beyond anything we could imagine.
Many people have offered to help us in regards to last-minute wedding plans, and we truly appreciate it (check back in a week, and I'll have a list long enough to make you regret offering)! The best way you can help us is to please pray for us: for our preparation to receive the Sacrament of Matrimony, for our guests' safe travels, and, yes, for the serenity to accept whatever goes awry on the big day itself.
As Catholics, we are quite fond of Novena Prayers. A novena is a series of prayers of petition and/or thanksgiving offered unto God for nine consecutive days. It's a tradition that dates back all the way to the Apostles, who, with Mary, spent nine days in prayer between Christ's Ascension into Heaven and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Like asking friends on earth to pray for us, we also ask saints and loved ones in Heaven to pray for us, too.
Starting on Thursday, January 1st (on which day Catholics celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God), we will begin our nine-day novena to St. Joseph, concluding on Friday, January 9th. If you would like to join us in this novena prayer, we would appreciate it much more than we could ever express. However, any and all prayers you might offer on our behalf are equally precious to us.
If you are interested in joining in our novena to St. Joseph, please offer this prayer every day from January 1st through January 9th. If you miss a day or jumble the words, don't worry; your guardian angel will take care of it ;-)
Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the Throne of God, we place in you all our interests and desires.
Oh, St. Joseph, do assist us by your powerful intercession and obtain for us from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, our Lord; so that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, we may offer our Thanksgiving and Homage to the most loving of Fathers.
Oh, St. Joseph, we never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. We dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in our name and kiss His fine head for us, and ask Him to return the kiss when we draw our dying breath.
St. Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for us.
Amen.
Again, thank you all so much for all of your prayers, kind words, and warm wishes. They mean so much to us and our families. Please, know that we are praying for you, too.
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| At St. Clement Church, where we met. |
