March for Life Trip

I want to first apologize for not writing in my blog as often as I promised. There are just days where thoughts will not form onto the screen. Plus, I hate to complain and vent only with each entry. For those who read this blog, thank you for sticking around. Personally, I have no idea why people read this blog, but thank you either way.

This past weekend Camille and I went to the March for Life 2012 in Washington DC. We left on Friday because I, myself cannot go to DC without visiting the museum and visiting my boys (I will explain that later). We were worried that the trip getting there would be a little difficult because of the snow storm that passed through, but alas with God’s wonderful Love and a lot of salt trucks it was a decent drive.

So for the first two days we spent touring DC area, Friday was touring what we could of Alexandria, Virginia which if anyone gets the chance, go visit Alexandria, beautiful “Old Town” is just an amazing place to be. We decided while on this trip to visit at least one local restaurant and it was in Alexandria that we found a great joint.

It is called Bugsy’s Restrurant and Sports Bar. I highly recommend the place if you are in the DC area. Plus, I will post more about it in my ‘Local Eats’ blog. After eating and touring the city of Alexandria, Camille and I headed off to our hotel.

It was on Sunday that started the March for Life events, with the Vigil Mass for Life at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. You actually got good seats, in the middle section in the Upper Church. One of the biggest things about this Vigil Mass is you have to get there EARLY, because it reaches the limits of maybe 5,000-10,000+ people cramming in to be participate of this Mass. And you have to wait awhile, about five hours+ until the Mass even begins.

It was beautiful to see so many young people (young teenagers to around my age) participating in this Vigil, but also standing for LIFE, from conception to natural death. Right before the Mass began I found, well Camille found them first was a religious community whom are from the Central Ohio area. The Children of Mary, is a very contemplative community. They are small community, but growing, hailing from Newark, Ohio. Camille and I were able to provide them seats with us. So, I finally knew someone at the National Shrine, whom I knew I could talk to.

Also whom we met at the Vigil was Teresa Tomeo, a radio talk show host, but also author of “Extreme Makeover” a book on how women are victimized by culture and how to conform to Christ. I had met her briefly at the Columbus Catholic Women’s Conference, but because she was a main speaker, a lot of women wished to meet her and so, I never really spoke that much to her. But, on Sunday she was at the National Shrine signing books (which I forgot mine at home in Columbus), but she was kind enough to take a picture with Camille and I.

When Mass finally began the procession itself took either almost or over thirty minutes with all the Seminarians, Religious Novices, Deacons, Priests, Bishops, and Archbishops. It was long, but how AMAZING and WONDERFUL it was to experience. The homilist was His Eminence, Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, the Archbishop of Galveston-Huston; his homily was beautiful and direct on why we were there, to protect LIFE, to give a voice to those who are voiceless.

Camille and I finally left from the hotel and got back about 11pm. The next morning was to be the big day, to practice our rights to protest. We were told it would be thunderstorms on the day of the March. But, I knew from the past experiences that I have come to the March, thunderstorms would not stop us from marching up to the Supreme Court. But, what happens it rains for a little bit, but no thunderstorms. That did not happen until when Camille and I were leaving DC area.

We decided to stick around the Dominican Friars, since one Camille and I were representing the Lay Dominican St. Catherine of Siena chapter at the March, but also because we were hoping to meet up with Saint Patrick’s Parish and Fr. Gregory said they would be around the Dominican Friars. I like marching with the Dominican Friars, the one year I went alone, I had no idea who anyone was and felt that it was my family I wanted to be around as I marched, so I found the Friars.

As the March finally began I was excited, and joyful to be a voice for LIFE. One thing I can tell you about this protest, there is no anger that I ever felt when marching, no I feel joy and when I march. The news media doesn’t want happiness they want anger, they (media) is up for a buzz of HATRED, this MARCH is for LOVE!

It is difficult to explain my feelings and thoughts while on the March, but I think sometimes pictures speak my voice and all those who came to the March this year.

God Bless,

Ms. Nikita, OP

Archangels and Birthday....

It is the feast day of the Archangels: Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. I know more about Saints Michael and Gabriel because of their significance in the New Testament, Saint Raphael I have yet to read the Angel involvement in the Bible. I am still a baby Catholic and to learn is a great for me for me to know God and His love for me, I learn from His Saints. To learn more about these three please I recommend going to this site: Archangels' Information/Biography

Twenty-two years ago a little boy was born. That little boy is now a over six foot young man who is trying to find his way in the world. His is my little brother, Ryan. I cannot believe how old he is, but that could be because I can see him other than my little brother. I know I have not been the best older sister, but then again we were two people who coped with a horrible past together. I know I have finally come through the ordeal, but he on the other is stuck in my opinion in his lost childhood. He needs confidence and prayers.

So, I have two presents for him: a DVD (which I will get sometime this weekend) and prayers. I ask all of you who read this blog post to please pray for my little brother, Ryan. I only hope that this year his birthday will be a start of a better year.

God Bless,
Nikita

The Feast Day of Saint Stephen of Hungary (August 16)

I found this one of my favorite readings from the Office of Readings and so I am posting it on my blog:

From the admonitions to his son by Saint Stephen

My dearest son, if you desire to honor the royal crown, I advise, I counsel, I urge you above all things to maintain the Catholic and apostolic faith with such diligence and car that you may be an example for all those placed under you by God and that all the clergy may rightly call you a man of true Christian profession. Failing to do this, you may be sure that you will not be called a Christian or a son of the Church.  Indeed, in the royal palace after the faith itself, the Church holds second place, first propagated as she was by our head, Christ; then transplanted, firmly constituted and spread through the whole world by his members, the apostles and holy fathers. And though she always produced fresh offspring, nevertheless in certain places she is regarded as ancient.

However, dearest son, even now in our kingdom the Church is proclaimed as young and newly planted; and for that reason she needs more prudent and trustworthy guardians lest a benefit which the divine mercy bestowed on us undeservedly should be destroyed and annihilated through your idleness, indolence or neglect.

My beloved son, delight of my heart, hope of your posterity, I pray, I command, that at every time and in everything, strengthened by your devotion to me, you may show favor not only to relations and kin, or to the most eminent, be they leaders or rich men or neighbors or fellow-countrymen, but also to foreigners and to all who come to you. By fulfilling your duty in this way you will reach the highest state of happiness. Be merciful to all who are suffering violence, keeping always in your heart the example of the Lord who said: I desire mercy and not sacrifice. Be patient with everyone, not only with the powerful, but also with the weak.

Finally be strong lest prosperity lift you up too much or adversity cast you down. Be humble in this life, that God may raise you up in the next. Be truly moderate and do not punish or condemn anyone immoderately. Be gentle so that you may never oppose justice. Be honorable so that you may never voluntarily bring disgrace upon anyone. Be chaste so that you may avoid all the foulness of lust like the pangs of death.

All these virtues I have noted above make up the royal crown and without them no one is fit to rule her on earth or attain to the heavenly kingdom.

Just a great start of the week

These past few days have been good and certainly God has graced me with these days. I have learned a lot in just a few days of not only myself, but also about other people.


Sunday was a special day for it was my little sister’s thirteenth birthday. It was heart-breaking to think my little girl was thirteen when I remember her as a little bundle being held in my arms. I remember us singing Blue Clue’s songs and teaching her that apple juice is good. I cried as I laid there next to her as she slept (for she stayed the night where I am living) and looked at her and thanked God for her. My little girl is growing up and I just hope with many prayers that she grows up as a wonderful and humble young lady.

My little sister was surprised early that morning with my Godmother and best friend coming to Mass with us. Mass was wonderful to have my Godmother, my fiancé, and my little sister to celebrate the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ. It was the last Sunday of Lent before Holy Week. The Homilist of the Mass was a visiting Dominican Friar who would be giving a Lecture on the new translation of the Mass. The homily was beautiful and one of my favorite lines from the Friar was: “God does not need to grow and improve, but we do”.

During Communion, my little sister was given a blessing from the celebrate of the Mass, which you could see my little smiling, but still yearning for Our Lord. She wants so badly to join in full communion with Jesus and His Church, but our mother is forever stubborn and using one experience as the reason of hindering her child yearning. I ask everyone pray for my mother to open her eyes and feel the love that God has on all His children.

After Mass, my fiancé left the parish to go on a bike ride (as he put it “too nice of a day to not go for one”) and us three ladies went to my Dominican Third Order Novice class, which focus was on prayer. It went well, and got some more great reading materials to look over and digest and mediate upon. Then we all went to the Third Order meeting.

Once Vespers was finished my fiancé picked up us all and we went to Steak n’ Shake for dinner. It was fun and a good time. My little sister said she had a good day and I really hope she did. We dropped off her and then the trio went to my Godmother’s house. We took a walk afterwards and just spent time talking about the things that just needed to discuss, and random talks. The one thing I know we talked about was my learning of saying “no” to my little sister and how I treat her, which I have learned to get better than a few years prior.

Monday was a BIG day, it was my birthday. Well, it is my Church birthday, for two years on that day I was baptized and received in His Church. It is hard to imagine that just two years ago it happened, that I was reborn in grace and the devil had no hold on me. I have learned so much since that time and am fully aware of the love and mercy of God and what sacrifice Jesus did for us men. I spent the day either sleeping (due to I had to be at work 10pm-6am and I worked Sunday 10pm-6am), reading, or praying. I did renewed my bapistimal promises (as I will do again during the Easter Vigil) and as I said them I felt a calm over me and I was able to sleep peacefully. Thank you Jesus for a lovely day to be celebrating my redeem soul.

Well that is all that happened in the past two day, I am sorry it was not as elaborate as I normally write, but for some reason after writing something else my thoughts are not as clear. Well I am going back to read “God is Love” by Pope Benedict XVI.