My son, Benedict Joseph, was born today at 11:44am at Caritas Norwood Hospital. He was 7lb 9oz, which is the exact weight that Isabella was when she was born. Melanie and Benedict are doing okay. This was the most painful surgery for Melanie, but she’s bouncing back quicker. Benedict is sleeping a lot and nursing a lot. The girls and their grandma and aunt are on the way here now so I’ll soon have pictures of that introduction, but until then here are the first photos.
This is Benedict just moments after he was born. He’s on the scale here.
The proud father and his son.
Already thinking deep thoughts.
Mother and son.
Today is also the feast of St. Ephrem the Syrian. In 2007, Pope Benedict devoted a Wednesday general audience to this saint who was both a theologian and a poet, which is quite funny considering that I studied theology in school and Melanie studied poetry (and other literature). Anyway, he was also known for his hymns, including On The Nativity of Christ, which I thought was especially suitable today:
“The Lord entered her and became a servant; the Word entered her, and became silent within her; thunder entered her and his voice was still; the Shepherd of all entered her; he became a Lamb in her, and came forth bleating.
“The belly of your Mother changed the order of things, O you who order all! Rich he went in, he came out poor: the High One went into her [Mary], he came out lowly. Brightness went into her and clothed himself, and came forth a despised form….
“He that gives food to all went in, and knew hunger. He who gives drink to all went in, and knew thirst. Naked and bare came forth from her the Clother of all things [in beauty]” (Hymn De Nativitate 11: 6-8).
And speaking of scriptural comfort, the midafternoon prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours included Psalm 127—which happens to be one of my favorites and particularly apt today:
Lo, sons are a heritage from the LORD,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the sons of one’s youth.
Happy is the man who has
his quiver full of them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he contends with his foes at the gate.
Thanks for all the pictures. He is beautiful. I’m glad to hear Melanie is bouncing back quickly. Hopefully she won’t have to stay in the hospital too long. Congratulations again!
He’s beautiful and I am so happy for your family. Sorry to hear about Melanie’s pain in surgery. I’m praying that she has a quick recovery. Tell Melanie hello for me.
Dear Dominic and familia - AUGURI - congratulations on the birth of your beautiful son; we are so happy for you! We hope by now your little guy is home and that Melanie is recuperating strongly, as well. May God bless you! Enjoy this special time. BEST WISHES from Diana (Anderson) and Luigi LoChiatto Family (w/ 2 boys in the quiver, as well—- love your quote from Psalm 127)
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 07/22/09 at 09:24 PM
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Say hello to my son, Benedict Joseph
My son, Benedict Joseph, was born today at 11:44am at Caritas Norwood Hospital. He was 7lb 9oz, which is the exact weight that Isabella was when she was born. Melanie and Benedict are doing okay. This was the most painful surgery for Melanie, but she’s bouncing back quicker. Benedict is sleeping a lot and nursing a lot. The girls and their grandma and aunt are on the way here now so I’ll soon have pictures of that introduction, but until then here are the first photos.
This is Benedict just moments after he was born. He’s on the scale here.
The proud father and his son.
Already thinking deep thoughts.
Mother and son.
Today is also the feast of St. Ephrem the Syrian. In 2007, Pope Benedict devoted a Wednesday general audience to this saint who was both a theologian and a poet, which is quite funny considering that I studied theology in school and Melanie studied poetry (and other literature). Anyway, he was also known for his hymns, including On The Nativity of Christ, which I thought was especially suitable today:
And speaking of scriptural comfort, the midafternoon prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours included Psalm 127—which happens to be one of my favorites and particularly apt today:
I’ve started filling my quiver.
COMMENTS
Big huge congrats to you and Melanie, Dom! Looks like a chip off the old block!
Posted by Dale Price on 07/9/09 at 02:36 PM
Thanks for all the pictures. He is beautiful. I’m glad to hear Melanie is bouncing back quickly. Hopefully she won’t have to stay in the hospital too long. Congratulations again!
Posted by Katherine on 07/9/09 at 02:53 PM
Welcome Benedict Joseph! Congratulations to all the Bettinellis! Love to Melanie - we’re praying for a swift and uneventful recovery. Many blessings,
Nissa
Posted by NISSA on 07/9/09 at 03:07 PM
He’s beautiful and I am so happy for your family. Sorry to hear about Melanie’s pain in surgery. I’m praying that she has a quick recovery. Tell Melanie hello for me.
Posted by katherine on 07/9/09 at 03:14 PM
He totally looks like a little Daddy!
Posted by Charlotte (Matilda) on 07/9/09 at 03:25 PM
What a beautiful baby boy! Congrats to all of you and be assured of my prayers for your family!
Posted by John Bowden on 07/9/09 at 03:25 PM
Congratulations!!! Blessed the man who fills his quiver with these arrows!
St. Ephrem is June 9th, I believe, at least in the West.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 07/9/09 at 03:33 PM
Congratulations!!! Blessings to mother, child, and dad!
St. Ephrem is June 9th, I believe, at least in the West.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 07/9/09 at 03:47 PM
Congratulations! That is awesome!
Our daughter is due any day now as well.
Posted by Rob Kaiser on 07/9/09 at 03:49 PM
Congratulations and best wishes. God bless you all.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 07/9/09 at 04:03 PM
I believe today is St Ephrem in the east.
Posted by Domenico Bettinelli on 07/9/09 at 04:06 PM
Congratulations—he’s beautiful!
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 07/9/09 at 04:41 PM
Congratulations to you all -
Joanne
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 07/9/09 at 06:17 PM
Where’s his Twitter account?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 07/9/09 at 06:47 PM
Congrats! Enjoy!
Posted by Nick on 07/9/09 at 06:48 PM
You mean his twitter account at twitter.com/benbettinelli ?
Posted by Domenico Bettinelli on 07/9/09 at 07:27 PM
Re: St. Ephrem
That’s my fault. Erroneous post today. I will take it down.
Anyway, congratulations on the birth of Benedict Joseph Laboure-tinelli!
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 07/9/09 at 08:09 PM
Welcome to the newest member of Red Sox Nation!
And what a great name!
I bet your girls are excited about their little brother.
God bless to your little flock!
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 07/9/09 at 08:31 PM
Wonderful news! God bless Melanie and Benedict; may the good mother recover quickly. May you all have delirious joy.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 07/9/09 at 10:14 PM
such a joyful, awesome day for your family! I am rejoicing with you.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 07/9/09 at 10:37 PM
Congratulations! He’s georgous!
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 07/10/09 at 01:30 AM
Congratulations, and God bless you all!
Posted by Bob the Ape on 07/10/09 at 04:43 AM
Welcome BeeJay - may his life be truly blessed!
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 07/10/09 at 06:43 AM
Congrats.
Posted by infanted on 07/10/09 at 07:44 AM
Congratulations! He’s beautiful!
Posted by Karen Edmisten on 07/10/09 at 09:27 PM
I am so very happy for your precious family and for the whole world now that Benedict has come to join us! God Bless him and his beautiful family.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 07/15/09 at 09:28 PM
Hello Benedict, you handsome thing you!
Yee haw, ya’ll!
Posted by MamaT on 07/16/09 at 09:05 PM
Congratulations! May God continue to bless your family.
Posted by Ron Rolling on 07/20/09 at 09:44 PM
Dear Dominic and familia - AUGURI - congratulations on the birth of your beautiful son; we are so happy for you! We hope by now your little guy is home and that Melanie is recuperating strongly, as well. May God bless you! Enjoy this special time. BEST WISHES from Diana (Anderson) and Luigi LoChiatto Family (w/ 2 boys in the quiver, as well—- love your quote from Psalm 127)
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 07/22/09 at 09:24 PM
Comments are being moderated. After you submit your comment it could take up to a couple hours, but usually only a few minutes, before it will appear. Thank you for your patience. If you have any questions, you may contact Domenico Bettinelli.