Rainy Wednesday

Today is the feast day of Saint Matthew, who in fact is one of my favorite Saints. But, why would I love the tax collector? Other than the Gospel of Matthew, he is the tax collector who followed Jesus, he was a sinner and yet he heard the call by Jesus.

I found with many of the Saints that I pray to are ones who show conversion or even complete faithfulness to just listen to the call. So, this is the little prayer that I said on this rainy wednesday: Saint Matthew, pray for me and for those who are just wanting to hear the Lord's call.

So, it is raining, but that is what you get during the Autumn season, which will be offically here on Friday. Once Autumn offically begins I consider it my season, but my season doesn't end until mid-Spring. Certainly it is because I cannot live in warmer weather because I actually get ill, which was proven today with no way of cooling my room, I woke up in sweat and then my stomach just would not settle for nothing. JR told me to pray to Saint Charles Borrowmeo (spelled his last name incorrectly), for he is the patron saint of stomach pains.

I am sorry that I am blogging so much, it is just this a rarity to have internet long enough to write down something. Hopefully I will blog again soon, maybe not today, but tomorrow or sometime soon. One thing before I end this entry, the book I am reading "Dominican Preaching in the St. Joseph Providence" I have started writing down some quotes by the sermons I have read in the past few days. Hopefully I will be done reading the book soon and hopefully will write down on this blog the quotes and my thoughts on the the quotes.

God Bless,
Nikita

Lion King in Movie Theatres

So, yesterday (yes since it is almost 3am) my fiance, JR and I went to see Lion King in 3D. I did not care so much about it being in 3D as most people would got nuts about, in fact the only thing I cared about is seeing the movie in a movie theatre. The last time I saw it on a big screen was when I was little and it was in a drive-in theatre, which was great in my opinion.

One of the things I forgotten was how much symbolism this movie had on me, but how Disney in the 90s really had young adult to adult themes in their movies and yet we as kids never looked at it that way. I told JR that I was holding back my tears during a few scenes.

One of those scenes was after Mufasa scolded Simba for disobeying him and they look up at the night sky and Mufasa tells Simba how the stars are the old Kings that look upon them. (Picture above is that scene)The heart-wrenching moment was when Mufasa said, "They are looking down upon you as will I" (I am not sure if I quoted that correctly). It reminded me of how my grandmother Jackie was towards me at the end of her days, reminding me that she would never leave me alone.

Another scene was when Simba was looking at his reflection and looks up to see the clouds turn into the shape of a lion who turns out to be his father. The part that made me cry was, "You have forgotten me"/"No, how could I"/"You do not know who you are, and so, you have forgotten me". That little part brought me to understand my Christian faith how there are many who have forgotten who they are, God's Children and so they have truly forgotten God, even though they claim they never have and kept to his law.

The last one is when Simba finds Mufasa dead. You watch as Simba tries to awaken his father, by pulling his ear and pushing at him. It is until Simba learns that his father is dead that he cries and cuddles against his father's lifeless body. It struck a cord of how I truly could not believe that my grandmother Jackie was dead, and when I saw her in the coffin, I wanted to crawl in there and lay next to her, because I wanted her comfort even when she was dead.

Death is horrible thing to experience, but what most of us do not understand is that Death is the commerical and that morning the physical lost is never a bad thing (it shows compassion of those you love), but do not dwell on upon it for you would forget the life and joy of when you see them again.

There are many other scenes that trigger my mind and make me tear up, but I wanted to vocalize those three because they seem very close to my heart and soul.

God Bless,
Nikita

Just give me a few moments

I could not think of a good title for this entry, so I thought that one up on a guess it would be interesting. I have not written in a few days and that would be probably I have had no Internet and kicking it in high gear with trying to sleeping as much as I can.

This past Sunday I decided to get three books out from the parish's library all about the Saint Joseph's Providence of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans). I have started to read, "Dominican Preaching of the Saint Joseph's Providence" which is a book of sermons that have been saved, because as the author of this book, Fr. Burke, OP explains many of the Dominicans did not have time to just write these words down at times. I cannot give you all a great and detailed review of this book, but hopefully after I finish reading the book, I will be able to write a review for you all to read.

In other news I have been working on trying to get something re-printing or for that matter re-published. Hopefully with the help of Fr. Gregory, OP one of the associate pastors of St. Patrick's, this can happen. If you all are wondering, what book are you speaking of? Here is my answer, the book is titled, "Hero Priest" it is a biography of a priest named Fr. Albert O'Brien, OP who died 1933.



Fr. Albert O'Brien, OP

Fr. Albert O'Brien, OP Here is an article that was written in 2009 that started all of this really for me. The more I learned about him through his biography and through the articles the more I felt that his cause should be opened. So, I was hoping that if I got the biography which was written by his Dominican Brother only two years after his death that it would help establish the cause to be opened, but I must allow the Holy Spirit to work His wonderful work through the heart of the Church to acknowledge this humble friar as a Saint through the Church. But, my deepest hope that in my lifetime Fr. Albert O'Brien will be a Blessed. Keep his cause in your prayers.

One of the last things I wanted to post is a few blog entries that I thought were interesting and needed to be shared to you all:

1. My God this article was written by a Dominican Brother at the House of Studies, which I must tell you is nice to have Dominicana online.

2. Prayers to End Abortion entry written on the Order of Preachers Vocation Blog check it out!

3. Article that I read from CatholicVote about Meatless Fridays for the Catholics in Britain: Meatless Fridays in Britain

Well that is all from me, right now, don't worry I will write more as it comes to me in later posts.

God Bless,
Nikita

Random Thoughts

Today would have been my great-grandfather's 90th birthday and though I hardly knew him, I know so many stories and tales about him, that he truly seems like he has always been around me. I think that is where my faith really helps for I know he is around me, he has never left us spiritually.

There is in the living room (because I live with my great-grandmother and great-uncle) that is called to this day: Dad's Chair, the most comfortable chair in my opinion and that was the chair if I ever posted more photos you would see him sleeping in.

There are days in this house where I can feel something around me, especially in my room, but normally I know that it is my relatives who have gone on who are praying for me, they are letting me know they are around, but interesting enough I sleep in the room where my great-grandfather died.

One more little thing about my great-grandfather that is funny to tell and hopefully my great-uncle will not be unhappy that I post this story up, but anyways, when my Pappy was really ill and my great-uncle came back to live with his parents to help he gave his dad a cow bell and told him to ring it if he needed anything. No sooner that my great-uncle was in bed that he heard this cow bell and shot upstairs only to find out that his dad "wanted to see if it worked". :D Truly one of the great stories of Pappy.

In other news, my hand is still killing me, it is not as swollen, but it hurts even when I am typing (but I cannot help but type, let alone just use one hand). I have not went to the doctors because I have little time and no money to get it checked and my insurance is not the greatest, so I do not want another bill to pay. So, I am going to wrap it up again and ice it and just take Advil or whatever for awhile.

Yesterday was my first time ever going to Saint Patrick's 20s Group without my fiance and that was truly different. It was not greatest feeling sitting there in Holy Hour and know that my fiance was home and not beside me praying in the Real Presence.

20s Group was having a catechists night on the Nature of Virtues and Vices, which actually was a good discussion. When we got into the Nature of Vices (Sin really) we got onto topic about how do our Protestant Brothers and Sisters view this (which a few of the group members are converts from Protestantism) and then the reasons with Confession being a part of our Christian faith.

I actually can say I spoke a lot last night especially when we talked about Confession, but also about forgiveness.

Well, I believe that is all I wanted to write about, but thought I should write something, plus I need to work my right hand to get use to the pain.

God Bless,
Nikita

PS: Please pray for the repose of the soul of my great-grandfather, Raymond and pray for my family as we are improving since everything with my great-uncle.

Death and my vocation to the Dominican Laity

This morning while I was taking in the little Internet time I could get I read an entry from one of the blogs that helped me reflect something about myself. So please hopefully this entry will not seem weird or anything.

There are a few places I would love to be any day of the week, these places are: Mass, With my fiance, in a cozy place with a book, and a cemetery. Why a cemetery? It might sound weird for you all, but for me it is where I can pray for those who are forgotten and need the prayers to help them through purgatory, to help them pray for their loved ones who have not been able to accept their passing, and to ask them to pray for me.

My Catholic faith has been a big part of this love I have for the dead, for before I became Catholic, I hated death, I felt it was a punishment for me to have taken away those who I loved or others loved. But in actuality, God never wants us punished, no He wishes us to be with Him. In my opinion only, I believe God reminds us to turn to Him because all are His children and so we all will be together with Him.

Another big part is the Dominican Order, and this where a wonderful blog post by Br. Ambrose Mary Little, OP (To Die Like A Dominican), helped with this reflection, for study was not the only reason I felt the call to the Dominican Order. Prayer was a huge thing as well in my decision to join the Laity Order.

And because of this my determination to be an historian has a new meaning now, the dead are the gateways of understanding our past, and so it is my goal and wish that they never be forgotten, for they lived and loved as we do now.

If you ever wish to find me especially this coming month and next month, look for a cemetery, especially really old ones, and you might see a young woman with a rosary in hand rubbing the beads through her fingers, and that would be me.

God Bless,
Nikita

PS. I know this was an awful post, but it is really early and I just wanted to post this because it would not leave me be, sometimes I consider that the Holy Spirit telling me to share the fruits of my contemplation (Dominican Motto). Either way hopefully some of you will understand and maybe you might give some feedback of what you think of death.

Mary's Birthday and Life

Yesterday was the birthday of Mary, Mother of God. As Fr. Michael, OP said in his homily last night, "There are only three birthdays that the Church celebrates" and those three are: Jesus' Birthday, John the Baptist's Birthday, and Mary's. While the absolute important is our Lord and Savior's birthday, the other two are important as well.

To celebrate this joyous occasion the group I am apart of, Saint Patrick's Twenties Group decided to have a birthday party for Mary. So, after Mass (which is normally Adoration for the group) the group went to Patrick Hall to celebrate, with cake and ice cream. We had games and socializing, which I think next time I need to bring more board games for others to play. I think it truly was success for the group, a nice size came to the little meeting/party and I for once talked and socialize, which I lack the confidence for at times.

But, why celebrate this birthday, many would ask me or any practicing Catholic. There is always a simple answer for me, she is our spiritual Mother. I could not imagine not celebrating my own Mother's birthday. It is not to say how old they are really, for Mothers a birthday should be to honor their life and honor that they were born to birth us. But that would be my answer, others would have more in-depth answer and quite possibly I could have an in-depth answer, but I feel that a simple one does much justice.

As I mention in the post title, I was not only to write about Mary's Birthday, but also on how life is going for me. Life, sometimes I feel drained out of my wits and feel I am losing much of the ground I conquered in becoming a better person, I ask if anyone who reads this blog, please pray for me. I certainly need it, for I love the person I have become through wonders of understanding how much God's Love is for me.

Thank you and God bless,
Nikita

"Hail, Holy Queen" Briefly noted

For the past week, I have been reading "Hail, Holy Queen" by Scott Hahn, I was looking around Barnes&Noble and noticed this and it reminded me of the retreat I was at on July 31st with the Dominican Laity Chapter I am apart of. I am currently on page 127 in the book. To add a bonus, I suggested this to a book club group I am apart of (that consent of friends from Saint Patrick's Twenties Group) and so hopefully on the fourteenth of this month we will be discussing this book.

Why am I writing, well for the sake of writing, but also because I want to write about what I have been reading about Mary, Mother of God. It sounds funny that Mary is one of those issues that many protestants have beef more so than they do other things. I, coming from a background where religion was not really addressed in my household, I did not have a problem with the Virgin Mary being honored or deemed as my Mother.

"Hail, Holy Queen" is based on Scripture as the key defense of honoring Mary, but also adding historical reference by Early Christians and Church Fathers. "In truth, the Church gives her honor and veneration as the greatest of saints, while reserving adoration and worship for God alone" (Page 112) Examples of what many consider "worship of Mary" would be the following: The Rosary, considering her a Queen of Heaven.

The Rosary in retrospect is the easiest to defend, for the Rosary itself is the life of Jesus through His Mother's eyes, since she was with him from his conception. We say the words that the angel said to Mary when greeting her, "Hail, full of Grace" and what her cousin Elizabeth said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb". Mary, guides us through her Son's life and helps us understand what He did for us, not just for her.

It is kind of like what I tell everyone about Mary's Window (The Moon, which I learned from my godmother). The moon does not have its own light source, no the Sun shines its light on the moon, and that is then reflected down towards Earth. Well, the Sun is Jesus, the Son and the moon is Mary. Jesus shines his saving Grace upon Mary who in turn shares and shines onto us.

The Queen of Heaven is something not only Scott Hahn discussed in his book, but Fr. Thomas, OP spoke of at the retreat. You see, in my cultures and most especially the Israelites culture the King ruled with his Mother, known as the Queen Mother. Mary is the Mother of Jesus, so if he is ruling the Kingdom of Heaven his Mother is with Him as Queen Mother. I would like to quote a few paragraphs in "Hail, Holy Queen":

"Consider the following scene from early in Solomon's reign: "So Bathsheba went to King Solomon, to speak to him on behalf of Adonijah. And the king rose to meet her, and bowed down to her; then he sat on his throne, and had a seat brought for the king's mother; and she sat on his right" (I Kgs 2:19)....First, his power and authority are in no way threatened by her. He bows to her, but he remains the monarch. She sits at his right hand, no vice versa....Mary approaches her son to intercede for the people--just as Bathsheba spoke to Solomon on behalf of Adonijah. Mary counsels her son about the matter at hand; yet she counsels others to obey Him and not her. Jesus, then, speaks to His mother as her superior; yet He defers to her suggestion." (Pages 80-83)

I truly believe Scott Hahn does an amazing job as far I have read of giving cause of the Church Teachings on Mary to be valid and honored by the faithful. I thought I should write briefly of what I was reading at the time and thought it would be nice to write something on my blog.

Until next time, God Bless,
Nikita