A Child's Prayer (in Portuguese)

Ana's mom sends us our very first baby care package: Winnie the Pooh pajama's and a miniature Frei Galvao (and booklet), the first Brazilian to be canonized a saint by the Roman Catholic Church in Pope Benedict XVI's trip to Brazil.  Coincidentally, he was also born in Guaratingueta, Brazil, where Ana's parents reside.

I'm not religious, but I know there are certain times that call for respect and this is one of them.  Differences aside, I cozy up to Ana and pray.  As Ana would say, "It's for the baby."

Ana reads the prayers in Portuguese, translating in English.  The temptation is to poke fun at her accent but Ana's face is lost in prayer.  This is not a time for irreverence.  It's for silence.  So I listen to the words...

Senhor Jesus Cristo
Caminho, Verdade e Vida
rosto humano de Deus
e rosto divino de Homem
ancendei em nossos coracoes
o amor ao Pai que esta no ceu
e a alegria de sermos cristaos.
...

After the prayer, Ana unfolds a piece of creased paper and hands me a tiny white pill, the Eucharist.  She takes a second one for herself and puts the final one near the figure. 

"For the baby," she says.

Then she closes her eyes and says another prayer.  More Portuguese until the very end.  She opens her eyes, looks at me and says "With a baby that's..."

And, understanding, I repeat the words with her:

Beautiful, perfect, and healthy.

Beautiful, perfect, and healthy.

Beautiful, perfect and healthy.

Amen.

Ana opens her eyes, smiles at me.  Her face is calm, peaceful.

"I hope every thing goes okay," I say.

Ana puts her hand in mine.  "I'm 100% confident we're going to have a healthy baby."

I smile, and we kiss.

Beautiful, perfect, and healthy.

Amen.

Comments

[Alex]

Not sure this blog is good for me... I'm sobbing here!!!!!!!!!!