When naming our children, many of us go through a lengthy process to decide the most perfect one. Some, name their children after favorite relatives, others after a favorite place. Often we see the very pregnant clutching the latest baby names book trying to come up with exactly the right one. Some parents worry about what the initials will read, like BAD. I have even known parents to add up the name and see what number it creates, and then see if the number is lucky.
Today Brian asked how I got my name, ‘Catherine”. Many times we have discussed how he got his name, but I suppose we have never talked much about how I got mine. I figure he only knows me as “Mom”. If someone were to ask him his mother’s name, he would steadfastly reply, “Mom” (First and Last name).
My mother’s real name is Catherine too, but her stepfather always called her June. She is born in June and decided to keep the nickname. Catherine is also the name given to the Irish women in our family tree.
However, for our mother, the ever devout and practically-a-nun Catholic, I am named for Saint Catherine of Siena. Saint Catherine was the 25th child of a wool dyer in northern Italy. Yes, I did type 25. (I think I'd find a way to glue it shut - saints forgive me). She started having mystical experiences when she was 6 - seeing guardian angels. At the young age of 16 she became a Dominican tertiary, and it was said that she would have visions of Christ, Mary, and the saints. The church feels St. Catherine was one of the most brilliant theological minds of her day, although she never had any formal education. She was an avid writer and persuaded the Pope to go back to Rome from Avignon, in 1377. Her letters “Saint Catherine's letters” and a treatise called "a dialogue" are considered among the most brilliant writings in the history of the Catholic Church.
Saint Catherine is the patron Saint of of Fire Prevention, firefighters (must be why I like them so much), bodily ills, illness, miscarriages, sick people, sickness, nurses, and nursing services, sexual temptation (thanks mom) and Italy.
How’s that for a friggin namesake? No pressure though.
Can we picture the "deer in headlights" look on Brian's face when he said, "Huh?" as I explain where my name comes from. I think he better understands how he got his name and prefers my method to my mother's. Brian is named after Brian Boru, the first King of Ireland, But what really cemented the name for me is when Monty Python's Life Of Brian came on the television while I was in hard labor. I love Monty Python. The doctor became upset with me for paying more attention to the movie, than to my final pushes. Hey folks, this time I did consider it my "sign".
Thus the life of Brian came into this world.
Little does he know that in the background when he was taking his first breath the following was coming out of the television:
"Brian: I'm not the Messiah!
Arthur: I say you are, lord, and I should know... I've followed a few.
Followers: Hail Messiah!
Brian: I'm not the Messiah! Will you please listen? I am not theMessiah, do you understand? Honestly!
Girl: Only the true Messiah denies His divinity!
Brian: What?! Well, what sort of chance does that give me? All right... I AM THE MESSIAH!
Followers: HE IS! HE IS THE MESSIAH!
Brian: NOW, FU** OFF!!!!
Arthur: How shall we fu** off, oh Lord?
Brian: Oh, just go away! Leave me alone."
Brian proceeded to bite the doctor as I lay there laughing at the joy of being done with labor and the sound of Monty Python in the background. I am sure when he is a teenager he will find reason to be mortified at the story of his birth...
Which I will enjoy telling his new girlfriend when he is trying to be cool.
Until next time-
C
