It's My Second Birthday: Baptism Anniversary!

Today is a special day for me: it's my baptismal anniversary... a.k.a my second birthday. 30 years ago today, my parents and godparents drove to Nuestra Señora Reina de Los Angeles (Our Lady Queen of the Angels) at Olvera Street, one of the oldest parts of the city of Los Angeles, to have me baptized. I was a 3 month-old bundle of chubb and smiles.

Mom says I was very pleased with myself for splashing the poor priest, who I think is still there, 30 years later. There were smiles and giggles. I apparently didn't cry at all. Maybe I splashed the priest because I was too excited about being baptized? I don't know, I was 3 months old. lol. I'm pretty sure mom still has my little outfit stored somewhere... 'cause, you know, memories of my second birthday are important.

Being stuck (ha!) in L.A. allows me to visit the church whenever I'm in the downtown area. I usually go with my mom or by myself. I've only been to visit with a friend once, a friend who ended up entering seminary last year. I think there is (or was) an indulgence attached to visiting the place of our baptism. I don't actually go to receive the indulgence; I go because, despite my not remembering my baptism, it is the place where I became a member of the Catholic Church. It is the place where my parents helped get this beautiful journey get started.

I'm not planning anything big today, despite it being a big milestone "birthday," because I've been so preoccupied with other things. On the way home from the hospital this morning (it was my penultimate appointment for wound care), I stopped by my home parish and sat in silence for a couple of minutes. I did my morning prayers, my prayers for day three of two novenas, and thanked God for the past 30 years. I asked Him to bless me with (at least) another 30 years so that I can do great things for Him and the Church.

This month also marks my official reversion to the Church which occurred in 2006. The seeds of curiosity were planted in the summer of 2006 but I didn't have that "official" moment until sometime during September. Since I don't remember the exact date, I'm counting today as the unofficial day since it is the first of the month. So happy 9th reversion anniversary to me, too. ;)

As I wrote on my personal FB profile last night, "Welcome, September. You've given me so many wonderful memories -- my official reversion in 2006, many first days of school, mom's birthday (and Mama Mary's birthday), friends' birthdays, so many wonderful starts of autumn, etc. I can't wait to see what you have in store for me this year."

Impromptu Vacation and Prayer

I'm tired from all the traveling done today (first by car and then by train) so I'll make this short and sweet.

Today I went to two places where it all began for me: the hospital where I was born (and where my father died) and the church where I was baptized at 3 months old. The picture is of that parish. Our Lady Queen of Angels Church next to Olvera Street in Downtown L.A. is where my parents introduced me to the Church. I hadn't visited the parish since I was a little girl so it was great to go back as an adult. A Spanish Mass was being celebrated but we did not stick around as I had gotten food poisoning from the fast food joint we hit in the morning (of course...) and couldn't enjoy the Mass. I hope I can go back one day soon and attend Mass there. :)

These next couple of days of impromptu vacation is happening because my mother has been diagnosed with depression. They are mistreating her at work, to the point where it's affecting her mental health, and the doctor order a couple of days of vacation. We won't be home much of the vacation as we were both ordered to go out but I will be updating twitter and this blog... though, I may warn you, I've been spending so much time reading novels (yes, actual books) that I haven't really gotten online much lately. I've noticed that I do much better when I don't spend much time online so I'm getting used to it. :)

Before I go, I just want to (once again) encourage you to pray the 9 Hour Novena to the Infant of Prague if you're in a pickle. I did it today while the food poisoning I have/had was at its worse and was out in Downtown L.A. (prior to boarding the train). It took me about 2-3 hours to get through it but I did and praying the Novena really helps keep me focused on what's important... not to mention that I felt much better and made it to my final destination in one piece.

Anyway, that's it for now. I want to expand on today's trip to Olvera Street but I can barely keep my eyes open so it'll have to wait. :)

I hope y'all have a great rest of week. I hope to blog soon but we'll see if I'll get a chance to before the week ends. :)

As always, thanks for reading and God bless.

P.S. New issue of Envoy Magazine is out. I have a new article on being Catholic in college so check it out if you get a chance. :D