Only in New Orleans could I find out about St. Catherine….and the upcoming parade in her honor. In the French tradition ladies who come together every year for this event will once again don their finest chapeaux and join in the annual St. Catherine’s Day Hat Parade.
“Catherinettes, Paris, 1909” by Agence Rol – Bibliothèque nationale de France. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Catherinettes,_Paris,_1909.jpg#/media/File:Catherinettes,_Paris,_1909.jpg
St. Catherine is the patron saint of milliners and single women. “Catherinettes”, as her French followers are known, make all sorts of wonderful hats in shades of yellow and green. Some of the hats are outrageous and others more simple in nature. The French Catherinettes are women who have not married by the age of 25. Hats are donned for the day as a pilgrimage is made to the statue of St. Catherine to pray for suitable husbands. I love what wikipedia lists for the prayers: The French say that before a girl reaches 25, she prays: “Donnez-moi, Seigneur, un mari de bon lieu! Qu’il soit doux, opulent, libéral et agréable!” (Lord, give me a well-situated husband. Let him be gentle, rich, generous, and pleasant!”) After 25, she prays: “Seigneur, un qui soit supportable, ou qui, parmi le monde, au moins puisse passer!” (Lord, one who’s bearable, or who can at least pass as bearable in the world!”) And when she’s pushing 30: “Un tel qu’il te plaira Seigneur, je m’en contente!” (“Send whatever you want, Lord; I’ll take it!”).
So this coming Sunday, November 22nd, at 10:00, all of the lovely women with their wonderful hats will meet to share champagne, bringing a bottle is encouraged, march together and enjoy the music of Bart Ramsey and members of ZaZou City. It promises to be an unforgettable day AND it will be my first ever parade in New Orleans, Lord willing and my new knee will cooperate!
I cannot wait to meet this fun loving group of women and share in the celebration! St. Charles Avenue at Pleasant Street is the gathering place with this year’s theme “The Hat Pack” setting the scene for a wonderful party!
