1.   As a courtesy, he called Tagliabue the week before he made the hire and got his blessing.

2.   Christensen put notices in parish newsletters and contacted the assistant to the archbishop in Seattle, where the performance premiered, to get his blessing.

3.   Claire probably never was going to get the blessing of Gene from Redondo.

4.   Glickman got the blessing for the forum from President Bill Clinton, an aide said.

5.   He then proceeded to get the blessing of the Elvis Presley estate, which vigilantly controls the rights to the songs.

6.   Idei also got the blessing of Morita, with whom he had become a close friend and tennis partner over the years.

7.   Outsiders must get the blessing of the Federal Security Service, the heir to the KGB.

8.   So, I called Bill and got his blessing.

9.   As that election showed, not everyone gets the blessing they want.

10.   Chief Gcaleka got the blessing of South African President Nelson Mandela before embarking on his quest.