Moneybags (such an unlikely nom de plume) over at A Catholic Life is performing an unusual service for his readers. He has oodles of saints names in a hat (whether literal or figurative I don't know) and is willing to draw a name for requesters as sort of a patron-of-the-year. I have been notified that my chosen saint, or the one who chose me, is St. Louis Bertrand. I wasn't familiar with him before, but what an intriguing person he was!

Like me, he experienced charismatic gifts, had a childhood "unattended by any of the prodigies that frequently forcast heroic sanctity," and was called to serve God in the New World. Unlike me, he was "grave, apparently without any sense of humour, yet withal possessed of a gentle and sweet disposition that greatly endeared him to those with whom he came in contact." A Dominican, he lacked most of the scholastic and preaching gifts characteristic of most of his peers, yet his quiet holiness distinguished him and led him into opportunities for great leadership, gifted evangelism and self-forgetful service.

I can learn a lot from this holy man.

It's too bad that when there's a lot going on, the consequence is that it's harder to find time to post about it. It reminds me of the fact that little tykes, who seem to generate the energy of a thousand suns, lack all responsibility or discipline to harness that vigor and put it to good use. Sometimes life is a paradox.

If you want to keep better track of what's going on in my world, check out my other blog. My time for blog cruising, flights of fancy, reflection and mental fun seems to be much more limited lately, but my deeper reflections and consideration of the things that are really important are in the ascendant and tend to show up over there.

But the short answer is: I'm getting married to a wonderful man and am caught up in wedding preparations, househunting, and (as Kate reminded me) that separate category called "marriage preparation" that is far more important than the other two. I'd appreciate your prayers. And I haven't lost my appetite for fun, so I'll be back here from time to time.

P.S. If you have any good engagement or wedding jokes, please post them here.