My husband and I recently hosted one of our priest friends for dinner which turned out to be an evening of abundant blessings. The three of us chatted over a delicious meal of my husband’s trademark BBQ ribs, rosemary potatoes and corn on the cob. The conversation spanned work, life and of course all things Catholic. Though still not very far along at the time, we were excited to share our news of my recent pregnancy and the Father was happy to celebrate with us.

At one point the conversation also turned to my desire to be enrolled in the brown scapular and without missing a beat, the priest offered to complete the ritual that very evening. As Catholics we do not subscribe to superstitions. The brown scapular is not a lucky charm but a sacramental. It serves as a reminder to us of our love and commitment to God and, through adherence to a particular prayer routine laid out for those called to wear it, we believe we can receive special graces. I think I encountered those graces later that night. After the dessert plates had been cleared away the priest did as promised and enrolled me in the brown scapular, praying over me and blessing the scapular with holy water before I donned it for the very first time.

Later I struggled to fall asleep due to the nausea of first trimester morning sickness and a mind whirling with worries over how best to nurture the baby now growing inside me. It’s funny how easy the fears of first time parenthood come. As I lay in bed, uncomfortable and wide awake watching the hours tick by, I touched the scapular now resting flat against my chest. I thought of the man laying beside me, my living, breathing, miraculous proof of God’s love for us. I thought of our wedding day, the most perfect and blessed day in my memory, not because the guests raved about the food, venue or music choices, but because that was the day that my husband and I were joined to each other and to God in holy and sacramental matrimony. I also thought of the baby we had been praying for for months, now a reality and the source of my newfound discomfort and worry.

What a beautiful life! How blessed I am to suffer these things! No matter how my life and goals shifted throughout the years, motherhood was always at the forefront. Though there are still many months to navigate before we meet our child, God in His infinite love and mercy has blessed me with the fulfillment of my life’s deepest and truest calling. I am a mother. Thank you Lord, for filling the life of this sinner with good things.