Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

Last night I was looking for things to do while visiting family up in the Washington DC area.. and i figured, why not look for a Catholic church to Visit.. I had no idea this place existed 24 hours ago.
So about 1:30pm today I took the Metro from Arlington all the way to this place.. Normally this is a 30-40 Min Metro ride with changing trains.... I was really trying to make it there by 3:00pm for the last tour of the day.. but with the tragic events that took place on Monday, and other issues and delays I didn't get there till about 3:20. This is a really good thing though I missed the "tour" as i was able to roam around and see what I wanted, and then was able to sit in the Sanctuary for about 20-25mins just reflecting on my past journey and what is to come next. I was able to catch the tail end of Mass for a Pilgrimage for the Filipino Catholics. That was very interesting..

Over all I spend about 2 hours in the church today.. The longest I have in many years spent in one when not attending a wedding. I think today is the first day I have had more peace in a really really long time.

After that, I did go into the bookstore at the shrine and bought the first bible I have ever purchased myself. The "Ignatius Catholic Bible"

Good news? Going back on Sunday to take the "tour" with my Aunt and Mom... should be interesting.. and will see what happens there. ....More to come!

A llittle back history

A long story.. I thought this would be great on my journey to post to the world. I have been meaning to do this for quite some time, and never did... now I am.

When I was really little.. I was raised "baptist". In my pre-school years I went to a Catholic one and then in my "tween" years I went to Vacation Bible School with Pentecostal friends from down the street I grew up on... then my family really never went to church, we celebrated Christmas and Easter with a traditional dinner.

Then I started to get into Paganism/Wicca/etc.. I thought this was right for me.. but I really never felt "right" in the circles. Not to get anything wrong here, I met some great friends a long this path, ones I don't want to lose.. but have been there during good and bad times. this was for a good portion of my later teen years and my twenties. In my late 20s to my early thirties today.. I have been "empty" searching.. looking for something.. Then one day back in May 2009 - It felt like I was just smacked upside the head after watching Angles & Demons that the Catholic Faith is where I belong. Maybe the seeds were planted a long time ago from those Pre-School days and just wondered off the path for quite awhile...