A Blessed Evening

Words cannot express how proud we are of Mateo for taking this very important step in his faith formation.  For two years, he prepared for this day with catechism, retreats, community service, and prayer. For two years, I have been thinking about this important step and this evening with great expectations and I am so happy to say that it was perfect!  The mass was solemn, beautiful, and full of holy inspiration and after mass, we had a small and intimate reception.

I wanted the reception to be simple but meaningful and symbolic and I was not sure how I would accomplish that.  Then one day on the week of the event, I got my inspiration on my way to work.  Candles!  We will light lots of candles all over the kitchen.  The reception would be at night so the light of the candles would shine.  The symbolism is simple; God asks us to allow our light to shine and be the light of the world. That is our prayer for Mateo, that he go forth and be the light of the world.

Mateo was born in October, the month we celebrate the feast of St. Francis of Assisi so we chose the name Asis for his middle name.  Asis is the Spanish name for Assisi, the town St. Francis was born in.  St. Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of animals and the environment and he is known for his love of the Eucharist.  While I was expecting Mateo, I had some complications and I remember praying daily for St. Francis' intercession.  His prayer is one of the most beautiful prayers I know.  For his confirmation, Mateo chose St. Francis as his namesake and for his sponsor, Mateo chose my cousin, Saul.  It was such a difficult decision for him as he has so many positive role models with many attributes.  In the end, he chose Saul.  Saul is kind and thoughtful and living his faith and I know that he is someone that Mateo can go to with any problem and he will not have a problem with letting Mateo know if he goes astray.

Lori and Saul got Mateo's cake.  It was gorgeous and delicious!  Mateo wanted chocolate with Nutella and strawberries.  I was a little skeptical but it was actually very yummy.

I love the ombre effect of the ruffle frosting.

 Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace; 

Where there is hatred, let me sow love; 

Where there is injury, pardon; 

Where there is error, truth; 

Where there is doubt, faith; 

Where there is despair, hope; 

Where there is darkness, light; 

And where there is sadness, joy. 

O Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek

To be consoled as to console; 

To be understood as to understand; 

To be loved as to love. 

For it is in giving that we receive; 

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned; 

And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Bishop Alex

Let's raise a glass for Mateo!

 

 

Congratulations, our beautiful son.  May the Lord bless you and guide you always.  May you always be the light of the world, seek what's true and walk the narrow path of righteousness.  May St. Francis continue to inspire your gentle spirit and may Mary pray for you.  We love you so much!

SC
xoxo

Good Friday, Easter

Good Friday Supper. 
As tradition in our family, we come together on Good Friday and eat the last Lenten meal of the season together.  We pray and we eat.  I believe that those two things, when shared with loved ones, forms a special bond that goes beyond familial ties. I am so grateful for my family but mostly for their true friendship.

"There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship" Thomas Aquinas

 My dad made these crosses which we gave to each family.  In these days when crosses are worn for fashion, the world is desensitized of their true meaning.  We, as Christians, should not stand for it.  The cross is more than a symbol of our faith. More than a relic that is tucked away in a corner of our home. It is our spiritual journey.  It is our redemption.  The ultimate sacrifice. It is from the cross that Divine Mercy is received.  So I hope that my loved ones cherish these crosses as such.

Alright, {insert lightheartedness here}.  Well, what could be more perfect than a gleeful Luc?  He was so excited during prayer, he could not contain himself!

Cari made this special Pane di Pasqua which was so delicious!  Of course, this is an Italian traditional Easter bread but we don't discriminate.  In fact, this may be adopted as a staple in our meal.

My mom made the traditional Capirotada.  A special Good Friday dessert made with toasted (or fried) bolillo (similar to French baguette), which has been soaked in an aromatic syrup made from piloncillo (brown sugar cone), cloves and cinnamon, then layered with dried fruits, nuts and aged cheese, and baked.  I can't even describe how good it is and it's a good thing that I only eat it once a year!

Easter.
We spent Easter at David's and Jeanette's house.  Alexia, who just discovered jelly beans, by the look on her face, she, herself, doesn't want to be discovered.

Of course, David takes his cooking very seriously and always aims to impress and never disappoints. He made a delicious stuffed pork tenderloin.  Wow!

David and dad have a little farming venture going on.  I think one day we will see them at our local farmers market.

Sweet mulberries.

Lot's of things going on here, chili plants, strawberries, asparagus, heirloom tomatoes...by the way, did you know that asparagus take two years to grow? 

This one is a ghost chili plant in honor of my hubby.  Ghost chilis are said to be the hottest chili on earth!

And David has gone a little crazy with the bonsais.  Here are some bonsai redwoods in training. He's got a lot of patience.

This is a mini forest of maples

And in our graduate class, a mature maple and ficus.

I bet you thought I forgot about dessert.  Are you kidding?  We were treated to Demetri's special homemade liege Belgian waffles.  Truly, a treat.  They are truly a treat. 

Speaking of treats, my friend Charles (Jeanette's brother) gifted me this book.  Can't wait to start reading it.  And I thought only kids got gifts on Easter!

Blessings!!
SC
xoxo