Happy Valentine's Day

Please join me to congratulate Gabriel and Shannon on their engagment!

Augustin and Kristie's Wedding

Saturday May 26, Augustin and Kristie were united in the Holy Sacrament of Matrimony at the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, at Belmont Abbey. The beautiful Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Fr. Bartholomew Leon, O.S.B. of St Mary's in Greenville SC, and co-celebrated by Fr. Arthur Pendelton, O.S.B. of Belmont Abbey.

Laurence, who was one of the ring bearers with Dominique, is blessing himself with holy water on the way out. You can see Raphael, one of the altar servers, between Xavier, a groomsman and Lydia a bridesmaid. Felix, also an altar server, is walking beside them.

Ann, Betsy, Adam, and Anthony

(and our dearest friends Sue and Tommy)

These four fine young students, friends of Augustin and Kristie, did a superb job with the music. And so did Sara's boyfriend Clark, who was sitting right behind them at the grand piano. Ann, with her crystal clear soprano voice, gave a touching rendition of Schubert's Ave Maria. Clark accompanied her impeccably, although they were only able to practice once. Betsy and Anthony with Adam on the guitar, moved us to tears with their tender, emotive performance of Matt Maher's Set Me As a Seal. I am still haunted by their stunning voices. I wish I could upload a video clip for you to hear them, but blogger doesn't offer that feature.

Set Me As a Seal is a beautiful love song inspired by the Song of Songs. Here are the lyrics.

Set me as a seal on your heart.

Set me as a seal on your soul.

For strong as death is love,

unyielding as the grave.
Nothing will quench its flame,
nothing will quench its flame.

Kiss me, my love,
that your name be on my lips.

You intoxicate my being

with the fragrance of your presence.

How beautiful you are, my darling.

Show me your face, let me hear your voice.

Sweet as the dew in the early morn,

like a lily among the thorns.

I looked for you, the one my heart loves.

I looked for you, but did not find you.

I searched through the night until I rested in your sight.

Now, I will never let you go.

You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride;

you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes.

Your lips so sweet, adorned with honey.

My hands, they drip with myrrh.

Xavier, Sebastien, Gabriel

The best man between the two groomsmen. When did they get to be so tall?

Augustin and my THREE daughters!

When did they get to be such beauties?

Wasn't it yesterday

When they were small?

Sunrise, sunset

Sunrise, sunset

Swiftly flow the days

Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers

Blossoming even as we gaze

Sunrise, sunset

Sunrise, sunset

Swiftly fly the years

One season following another

Laden with happiness and tears

What words of wisdom can I give them?

How can I help to ease their way?

Now they must learn from one another

Day by day

They look so natural together

Just like two newlyweds should be

Is there a canopy in store for me?

Sunrise, sunset

Sunrise, sunset

Swiftly flow the days

Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers

Blossoming even as we gaze

Sunrise, sunset

Sunrise, sunset

Swiftly fly the years

One season following another

Laden with happiness and tears

Sunrise Sunset (Fiddler on the Roof)

Dear Augustin and Kristie, may your marriage be as blessed as ours.

We love you!