My Favorite Dominican Saints

           I was able to get beautiful miniature images of my favorite Dominican saints. Their sizes are around 1x1x3 inches. They are beautifully crafted, I ordered them from TangingArt Studio from Shopee online, they are priced around at Php329.00, almost $6. Quite pricey for a miniature image but they are beautifully designed and crafted, 3d images. 

For now, I ordered 3 Dominican miniature statues, St. Dominic de Guzman, St. Catherine of Siena and St. Martin de Porres. I am familiar with the Dominican saints because I used to watch the canozzas that were lined up at the church in Sto. Domingo also known sa Our Lady of Holy Rosary La Naval de Manila, during their fiesta month which is in October. 

A bit of information about these saints. St. Dominic de Guzman is of Spanish nobility. I read that he is a good-looking fine gentleman. His mother is Blessed Joan of Aza. He is the father/founder of the Order of Preachers. He is known for battling the Albigensian heresy and it was he whom  Our Lady gave and taught how to pray the Holy Rosary. As a Marian devotee, the Holy Rosary is really important for me. That is why the Dominican order is very close to my heart. Their habit is composed of a white tunic with a black cappa or cloak. They wear this cloak over their white habit, and they have a rosary hanging on their belt. The Dominicans are also called as "Hounds of the Lord," in Latin Dominicans is rendered as Dominicanus, which is quite similar to Domini Canis or Hounds of the Lord. Also, this refers to the mother of St. Dominic in her dream she was shown a dog carrying a torch in its mouth. Thus, St. Dominic was indeed God's torch bearer, giving light to this world by preaching God'a truth and battling heresy. St. Dominic de Guzman is often depicted holding a lily and a bible and/or rules of their order, also with a dog and torch by his side.

Next is St. Catherine of Siena. I am familiar with her because I read her life once in the Lives of Saints when I was a young girl. She is an Italian virgin and saint and a lay Dominican and is considered as a Doctor of the church.  She also received the Stigmata. She is often depicted holding a lily, a symbol of purity and a heart. I read that Jesus gave her His heart in one of her visions. Her writing can be found in the Dialogue of St. Catherine of Siena.

She also urged the Pope Gregory XI  to return the papacy to Rome. She is a a defender of faith and of the papacy.

Last but not the least is a lay Dominican brother St. Martin de Porres. He is a popular Dominican saint also and in easily recognizable because his color. He is often depicted holding a bread and holding a wooden stick, sometimes with a stray dog by his side. He is known for his kindness and his charity especially to the needed. His birth date is same as mine, 9th of December. I am also familiar with him because I also read his story in The Lives of Saints book. He is also known for his many miracles. He can bilocate or be seen in two places at the same time, levitate and he can communicate with animals. He is the illegitimate son of a Spanish nobleman and a black, indigenous freed slave. He is the patron saint of mixed race people, barbers, innkeepers, 

public health workers and those seeking social justice.

We as Roman Catholics are very blessed to have saints whom we can follow and look up to and better yet to idolize especially during these times where vanity and riches are given importance to. Only few young people now look up to God's holy servants. Let us pray for priestly and religious vocations all around the world! 

All Dominican Saints and Blessed! pray for us! 🌹

Spiritual Direction

          I have long wanted to have someone guide me spiritually. I have heard of priests as spiritual directors. I know that priests play a very vital role in the spiritual growth of a religious or a lay person. I am reminded of St. Faustina and her spiritual director, Blessed Michael Sopocko. 

I have had a few spiritual directors. Actually, I am the one who asked these priests to help me. As a lay Carmelite, I wanted to have a Carmelite spiritual director/guide so that he could understand me. I do not know what happened, but the priest who agreed to help me lacks enthusiasm; I am the only one who is proactive. The same goes for the other priests. I even asked a priest from the Discalced Carmelites, but they were all unsuccessful. My experience in the Third Order Carmelite is not very favorable. 

Fast forward to now. I want to wear the Dominican cross that I bought at Sto. Domingo Church. It was by chance that came across Bishop Napoleon "Jun" Sipalay, Jr. online. I am asking for his blessing and permission to wear a Dominican cross, even though I am not a member of any Dominican Laity family. He told me I can wear the Dominican cross. Actually, one Dominican priest told me that only the members of bonafide Dominican institutes can wear it. To be honest I cannot accept it so I looked for another opinion of a Dominican priest. Fr. Edmund Nantes. He said I can wear it and be faithful to what it symbolizes. 

 It also crossed my mind that I need a Dominican spiritual director even if I am not a member of the Dominican family. I know God sent Fr. Quirico to me through Bishop Jun. I know there's a reason why its Fr. Quirico. I read a lot of good comments about Fr. Quirico and I have seen his academic achievements that was posted online. We've had few conversations online and I really learned a lot from him.

One take away that I got from our conversation yesterday is that everything takes time. He even mentioned my favorite saint, St. Therese of Lisieux, we all know her story wherein she asked the Pope to let her enter the convent despite her age. 

I thank God for finally sending me a good spiritual director. Even if I am still not part officially of any Dominican associations. I will wait with great hope. May God's will be done.

The Dominican Way

           It has been a long time since I last posted in this blog of mine. A lot has happened. I already left the Third Order Carmelites last February of this month. I wrote them a letter saying I will not continue my formation and that I will not apply to the Postulancy. To be honest my heart is not 100% pure in joining the Carmelites, a part of me just thinks how lovely it would be if I am a part of a religious order. I also experienced stress in the Carmelite community because one of the head is insisting that I attend physically even if I already explained I cannot due to several factors. Plus, my husband does not approve me of joining because he said I should focus more on our family and with our toddler. I admit I already felt relieved when the The Third Order Carmelites sent me my letter of release from the order. 

Now, I am free. I am still restless. That's when started seeking other religious orders and I came back to the Franciscans, I emailed a few religious orders and only one replied, Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA), I was accepted a few weeks ago even if I am outside the USA, and I emailed a lot of Dominican religious order that has an associate but I only got 1 reply and that is from the Adrian Dominicana. I submitted a letter of withdrawal to the FSPA today. I feel a bit bad because the director there, Michael Krueger was so kind to welcome me and accept even if I am from the overseas. This is my second time in joining the Franciscans, I don't but I just don't feel at home with them. 

While my application to the Adrian Dominican is not very clear. I was referred to a Dominican Sisters here in Pampanga whom the work closely. I have not heard any news from one of the Sisters whom I spoke with regarding my joining the associates. 

This month my husband accompanied me to the Sto. Domingo church in Quezon City, the same city where our office is located. It has been a long time since my last visit there. Such fond memories because eversince I was young we would hear mass here every fiesta and I would look at the different Dominican Saints and blessed on the canozzas at the church's hallways. The most saint that I am struck with or that has caught my attention is Bl. Margaret of Castello, now she is a saint. I want to add that I am familiar with Saint Martin de Porres. The number and month of St. Martin de Porres is similar to mine. 

I don't know what the future holds for me. I now entrust it to God and I pray for St. Dominic de Guzman to help me be a part of the Dominican order. I also thank the Holy Spirit for sending Bishop Napoleon Sipalay, Jr., O.P to help me and that Fr. Quirico Pedregosa, O.P will be my spiritual counsel if its God's will. 

Another interesting  event is that I was born at the University of Santo Tomas hospital. Firstly, I thank God for my late aunt who is an alumni of UST because of her my mom was sent to UST hospital and I also thank God for sending skilled doctor because I was a premature baby and according to the story that I heard I died already but I was just resuscitated. There are no accidents in life. Everything happened this or that way because it was meant to be. If God wants me to walk the Dominican way so be it!

Our Lady of Guadalupe (Mother of the Civilization of Love)

I remember watching a documentary about Our Lady of Guadalupe before. I was amazed by its story; there is more to the image. I was wondering why the image of Our Blessed Mother Mary was different in every apparition and in every place she appeared. Now, I understand that Our Blessed Mother wants the seer to feel close and be moved, that she is one with them, regardless of their nationality or the place where she appears. 

The second most visited Catholic site in the world is in Mexico: the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Our Blessed Mother appeared to Juan Diego on the 9th of December. This day is special to me; aside from being the feast day of St. Juan Diego, it is also the day of my birth! She requested that a church be erected at the site in her honor. Our Blessed Mother cured Juan Diego's sick uncle, and the miracle of the roses in winter, along with the image of Our Blessed Mother on Juan Diego's "tilma," or the cape worn by Juan Diego, was the proof of the apparition. A lot of miracles has happened attributed to Our Lady of Guadalupe's image.

I am very thankful that I was able to get the  lone copy from Fully Booked. I have a book before, about the many apparitions of our Blessed Mother (the ones that were approved by the Catholic church). This book about Our Lady of Guadalupe is comprehensive and a must-buy for all her devotees! 

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us! 🌹

A Blessed Birthday Indeed

          Last Monday, the 9th of December, I was able to celebrate my birthday simply. We went to SM Marilao and ate at David's Tea House. We were able to hear mass that evening but we were late because of the traffic. I am very happy because our Blessed Mother's feast day was moved on the day of my birthday! Before I wished that my birthday is on the 8th of December! The celebration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception was moved to December 9, because the Feast coincided with the Sunday mass and we are in the Season of Advent. Our parish priest said that the Advent more important compared to the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. 

After the mass we were serenaded by the seminarians from Immaculate Conception Major Seminary in Guiguinto, Bulacan. They sang a beautiful rendition of "Aba Ginoong Maria." They were the ones who produced the melody. This day was really a blessing! I thank our Almighty Father for everything and for letting me feel how to be truly a spiritual daughter of our Blessed Mother Mary! Like the motto of saint Pope John Paul II, I am totally yours, our Blessed Mother Mary!

Christine Watkins and The Warning Book

           I am a follower of Adrian Milag, a Catholic vlogger and a YouTuber. He has interviewed a lot of guests who from lay people to priests mostly exorcists and informs us the reality about the devil and about the spiritual warfare. Recently, he interviewed my favorite Dominican priest, Fr. Winston Cabading, O.P. He is a professor in University of Santo Tomas and an exorcist. He also has videos online, answering questions from the public about our Catholic faith. In my experience, one of the reasons that contributed to me leaving the Catholic church is my weak faith. I am questioning things and I thought God has left me when I experienced a heartbreak. I am familiar with the Catholic bible but I never read it like how the Protestants would do it. We have a rich tradition and even the Church Fathers like St. Augustine, his teachings was studies by Protestants. 

The episode with Ms. Christine Watkins, her life story is also inspiring. She lives a wayward life and then she became sick of ovarian cancer. She was an atheist, her friend's prayer has helped her have faith especially to our Blessed Mother Mary. Her cancer was cured and now she is an active speaker from the Queen of Peace media. I have her book about The Miraculous Medal. You can know about it in one of my blog posts here. My question was also featured in the show. My former handle in Youtube was The Pilgrims Pen but now I changed it to LVictoria. The @ sign is pilgrimspen still. 

In the U.S of A, another very relevant topic was being shown in movie theaters. I hope that this movie will also be shown here in the Philippines. We need this so much now. Nowadays, we have seen wars, famine, our society and the character of youths today has declined, most of them resorting the the New Age or the occult, so addicted to social media and most of their time were consumed by it, most of them also don't give time to their spiritual life. As Christine has mentioned according to Saint John Paul II, we should call things as they are. For example, the occult it is wicked so we should call all these things as wicked! Do now water down things. There is this book also by Christine Watkins, entitled The Warning, this book is about the illumination of souls. In this book were testimonies from people who were shown the state of their souls. In the Bible, we were warned about the end times and now the things that was mentioned there is coming true. Many of us are bound to damnation but the mercies of God and his love for us will not allow that to happen. This book, I believe is one of our wake-up call to repent and change. Because if the second coming of our Lord Jesus would happen now we are all in danger. I am listening to an audiobook of this posted freely in YouTube. I plan to buy this book someday but I need to save up for it. It is quite expensive. It costs a thousand pesos here. To those interested in buying it, it is available online in Lazada and Shopee. We must act now before its not too late!

A Vist to St. Pauls Religious Store

           Yesterday, during lunch I went to SM North Edsa to buy a few things. My husband wants to buy goblets and we needed a cross for the upcoming house blessing. We moved in our new house June of this year. The blessing has long been postponed we haven't put in order the things in our house and we have been very busy, and my mom was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. So last week my husband accompanied me to the hospital and I had my mammogram done. 

I was able to buy the things that we need. I was able to buy a simple dress that I will wear tomorrow, I also bought the goblets that my husband wanted and lastly I was able to buy a few religious items. All of these of course, was permitted by my husband because he is in charge of our finances. He also handles my money (salary). Our set-up is different from other couples. I think I was able to mention it in one of my previous posts before.

Going to St. Pauls religious store evoked a lot of good memories. I remember my childhood days, when its my birthday I would buy nothing but religious items and books. My favorite aunt, the one I grew up with would give me money as birthday presents and I would go to the religious store to buy books. I remember going home happily. I would go into my room and I browse at the things or books that I bought. Sadly, all of my religious books collection when I was still young, I disposed them when I became a Protestant. Those were really precious books. Because among them were my aunts books. I lost the book, Bernadette and Lourdes by Michael De Saint-Pierre. It was a very good book about St. Bernadette and her life as a religious sister. Also, books given to me by the late Msgr. Severino G. Casas, H.P., former parish priest of Our Lady of Fatima Church was also lost..He gave me a St. Therese of Lisiuex book with dedication from him. I really regretted deeply what I did. Those were valuable books. I also have books about Christ passion, the Stigmata and a lot more. If given a chance I would like to study more about the lives of saints, the Catholic faith and everything related to our faith. I pray that my joining the Third Order Carmelite will be an instrument for me to be able to accomplish that. 

I was able to buy a beautiful rosary. Actually, I don't believe now in birthstone rosary. Believe in charms and crystals is part of the occult. But I admire the gemstones and that's it. It is only a precious stone and nothing more. One particular reason why I bought this rosary its because it reminded me of my wedding in the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Metropolitan Manila Cathedral, or simply known as the Manila Cathedral. Our Blessed Mother Mary, the Immaculate Conception is the patroness of that church. So between St. Benedict rosary and the Immaculate Conception rosary, I chose the latter one. It is such a beautiful rosary it has a rose in each bead which is a gemstone zircon. In the middle part of the rosary there's the beautiful image of the Immaculate Conception. I also recently, have a devotion to St. Michael and all the holy angels. Our Blessed Mother Mary is known as the Queen of Angels too! She has supreme dignity as the mother of God, that's why she's superior to them and she reigns over all the angels! Satan is afraid of her! So we should also have a special devotion to our Blessed Mother Mary, that she will protect us and cover us with her blue mantle. The case of the rosary has a month of December marked and title of our Blessed Mother. This rosary if supposed to be for those born in December. It is actually my birth month and also my husband. This rosary is a bit expensive and I told my husband my previous rosary which is the Divine Mercy was destroyed by our daughter who is a toddler when she played with it.

Did you know that the rosary means "crown of roses". Our Lady has revealed to several people that each time they say a Hail Mary they are giving her a beautiful rose and that each complete Rosary makes her a crown of roses. I also bought a stampita, of the holy name of our Lord Jesus to be put inside the house. I thank God for the a beautiful yesterday. I pray our Almighty Father will bless me and my family everyday and keep us safe from evil. Amen!