Unfortunately, “Phillip, Joseph, Kathryn, I mean LUCY!” is a typical way I address my kids. The words pop out through muscle memory before my brain registers who I am trying to speak to! As difficult as it is for me to say my kids’ names correctly, they were all chosen with intentionality.
Every one of my kids is named after a saint, and all of them bear a family name for their middle name. Most of my kids have traditional saint names, but to spice things up a bit, I have a Blaise (pronounced blaze) and a Jacinta. Both of those names spark discussions everywhere we go, except in Catholic circles, where there are a bunch of other little Blaise’s and Jacinta’s running around!
Our kids’ middle names honor our parents or grandparents. It’s a unique gift that we chose to give our kids. They all have a patron saint in heaven who prays for and intercedes for them. Giving them a family name for a middle name helps preserve the legacy of those who came before them.
There are now 18 nieces and nephews on my side of the family, and one of my favorite parts of the birth announcement is why they chose the name for their newborn. Sometimes it is simply because they liked the name, other times, it is to honor someone, and sometimes, it is because of what that name means. For example, my daughter Lucy’s name means light. It's so fun hearing how much thought and prayer went into it!
But back to my kids. Most mornings before walking out the door for school, we do a really quick morning offering. We always end it with a litany of saints, but that litany is just my kid's names, unless we aren't feeling strapped for time and decide to get courageous! This is how it goes-
St. Phillip, pray for us.
St. Peter, pray for us.
St. Kathryn, pray for us.
St. Blaise, pray for us.
St. Jacinta, pray for us.
St. Lucy, pray for us.
St. Joseph, pray for us.
St. John, pray for us.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.
All you holy souls of purgatory, pray for us.
All you holy saints of God, pray for us.
It only looks long because I have eight kids! But it is a quick and special way to start our morning.
2158 and 2159 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church state, “God calls each one by name. Everyone’s name is sacred. The name is the icon of the person. It demands respect as a sign of the dignity of the one who bears it. The name one receives is a name for eternity. In the kingdom, the mysterious and unique character of each person marked with God’s name will shine forth in splendor. “To him who conquers… I will give a white stone, with a new name written on the stone which no one knows except him who receives it.” “Then I looked, and Lo, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.” (Rev. 2:17 and Rev 14:4)
Your name is important, and my name is important. In Isaiah 43:1, God calls each one by name. That means that my relationship with you and with me is personal. The God we worship doesn’t allow us to get lost in the shuffle! He knows me and loves me as if I were the only person on earth. He knows YOU and loves YOU as if YOU were the only person on earth.
Our name is important, but so is the very name of God. With Christmas just a few short days behind us, it is easy to call to mind the popular Christmas scripture quote from Isaiah.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called, “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
This week, I encourage you to pray over these names. What do they mean to you? Is there one that stands out among the rest? Is there one that is calling to you in a new way?
Over the next few weeks, we will be praying over these powerful names of God. You may hear the titles The Lion of Judah, The Good Shepherd, The Alpha and Omega, The Ancient of Days, The Anointed One, and the list goes on and on.
But for this week, let’s focus on the names from Isaiah. I invite you to pray this with me. Try to read through it 3 times as slowly as you can and pause between each name to let the Spirit speak to you. If something resonates with you, use that name during your prayer time this week! Address Him in that way and see how it invigorates your prayer life.
Come Holy Spirit!
Come Holy Spirit!
Come Holy Spirit!
Come Wonderful Counselor! (pause)
Come Mighty God! (pause)
Come Everlasting Father! (pause)
Come Prince of Peace! (pause)
Lord, you call me by name. Help me to call upon You.
Until next time, your sister in Christ,
Leah