We are pleased to announce the arrival of baby #4!
Born on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 5:33 a.m.
It's a girl!
8 lbs. 11 oz.
Lots of dark, long hair! The nurse said "She definitively has blue eyes!" We were surprised... it's hard to tell.
Name: Agatha (first) Gail (middle)
 |
| Grandma Gail w/Fauster |
Her middle name: Chosen after Cynthia's mother, Gail Marie Lee, who passed away a few years ago. We honored Mike's mother the same way with Faustina "Elaine."
First name: We had a sizeable list going into the hospital, but, for Mike,
Agatha had been creeping up his list. He initially just liked the sound of the name paired with Gail and also the fact that she's a martyr for the faith named in the
Roman Canon. When Mike held her the first time, she looked the part and Mike said, "What do you think of Agatha Gail?!" It took some debate between our top 3 name combos, but Agatha Gail stuck out to those we surveyed. We knew she was a young martyr, but we learned more in the past day... she suffered greatly and some depictions of her are
quite astonishing, to say the least! Anyway, we are glad that she is such a great witness and powerful intercessor before our Lord.
More on the meaning of "Agatha": Agatha (
pron.: /ˈæɡəθə/)
[1] Agata, or Ágata is a feminine given name derived from the
Ancient Greek word ἀγαθός
agathos, meaning "good."
More on the meaning of: Gail \gail\ as a girl's name (also used as boy's name
Gail), is pronounced
gayl. It is of
Hebrew origin, and the meaning of Gail is "father of
exaltation".
Short form of
Abigail.
Gael is a term for
descendants of the
ancient Celts, especially in
Scotland,
Ireland, and the
Isle of Man.
From the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer #1 for Mass):
| Nobis quoque
peccatoribus famulis tuis, de multitudine miserationum tuarum sperantibus,
partem aliquam et societatem donare digneris cum tuis sanctis Apostolis et
Martyribus: cum Ioanne, Stephano, Matthia, Barnaba, (Ignatio, Alexandro,
Marcellino, Petro, Felicitate, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucia, Agnete, Caecilia,
Anastasia) et omnibus Sanctis tuis: |
For ourselves,
too, we ask some share in the fellowship of your apostles and martyrs, with John
the Baptist, Stephen, Matthias, Barnabas, (Ignatius, Alexander, Marcellinus,
Peter, Felicity, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy, Agnes, Cecilia, Anastasia) and all the
saints. |
About St. Agatha:
Memorial is on February 5th
 |
| St. Agatha |
Catholic Encyclopedia:
One of the most highly
venerated virgin martyrs of
Christian antiquity, put to death for her steadfast profession of
faith in
Catania, Sicily. Although it is uncertain in which
persecution this took place, we may accept, as probably based on ancient tradition, the evidence of her
legendary life, composed at a later date, to the effect that her
martyrdom occurred during the
persecution of
Decius (250-253).
Catholic Online:
One of the most highly
venerated virgin martyrs of
Christian antiquity, put to death for her steadfast profession of
faith in
Catania, Sicily. Although it is uncertain in which
persecution this took place, we may accept, as probably based on ancient tradition, the evidence of her
legendary life, composed at a later date, to the effect that her
martyrdom occurred during the
persecution of
Decius (250-253).
Prayers for St. Agatha's intercessory help:
Dear Virgin and Martyr, whom the Church
recalls in her liturgy, you heroically resisted the temptations of a degenerate
ruler. Subjected to long and horrible tortures, you remained faithful to your
heavenly Spouse. Saint Peter, we are told, gave you some solace and so you are
invoked by nurses. Encourage them to see Christ in the sick and to render true
service to them. Amen.
O Heavenly Father,
Who raised Agatha
to the dignity of Sainthood,
we
implore Your Divine Majesty
by her intercession
to give us health of
mind,
body and soul.
Free us from all those thingswhich hold us bound to
this earth,
and let our spirit, like hers,
rise to your heavenly
courts.
Through Jesus Christ,
Your Son, our Lord,
Who lives and
reigns
with You, forever. Amen.
Lord God, you showered heavenly gifts on the virgin Agatha.
Hear the
prayers of those who recall her devoted life
and who ask her to intercede
for them in their necessity.
(Mention your intention here...)
Help us to imitate her virtue during our earthly life
and enjoy eternal
happiness with her in heaven.
Amen.
A Nurse's Prayer
O my God, teach me to receive the sick in Thy
Name. Give to my efforts success for the glory of Thy holy Name. It is Thy work:
without Thee, I cannot succeed.
Grant that the sick Thou hast placed in my care may be abundantly blessed,
and not one of them be lost because of any neglect on my part. Help me to
overcome every temporal weakness, and strengthen in me whatever may enable me to
bring joy to the lives of those I serve.
Give me grace, for the sake of Thy sick ones and of those lives that will be
influenced by them. Amen.
