I'm one of those people that can appreciate beautiful things, but I struggle to create beautiful things myself. May's female voice for the "Why I Love Being Catholic" series is Lexie. She's a young, energetic, creative woman who has a keen eye for all things beautiful and she's pretty crafty. I really enjoyed her honest answers and when I read about her favorite place that she has visited, I basically screamed out, "Yes!" I've been to the National Basilica in D.C. and it is definitely difficult to describe its magnificence and divine beauty. She's into fashion, DIY Pinterest projects, and her faith. I'm so happy to introduce this Jersey gal to you. Though I've never met her in person, you can just sense that she is a great friend and a genuine, spirited Catholic that can help you grow closer to Christ.  

‍1. Are you a cradle Catholic or a convert? If a convert, where did you convert from?

I am a cradle Catholic, but growing up, it was much more of a cultural thing for me. My faith did not really mean a lot to me until late high school. I went to Mass on Sundays, went through baptism, communion, and confirmation, but it wasn't until confirmation-time that I actually started to care.

2. Who is one of your favorite saints and why?

My favorite saint of all time is Saint Therese of Lisieux. She died at a very young age but had the wisdom of an 80-year-old. I love her devotion of using "the little way" as her way of becoming holy. It reminds me that I can offer up trials and sufferings in life as a prayer and devotion to God. It also reminds me that I can be holy at a young age. Also, everything she has ever said blows me away. Her insight into Christ and what it means to surrender everything to Him is amazing. She had such a profound understanding of Christ. I loved how she would ask God to help her hate her own will for her life so that she would only seek the will with God had for her. She truly denied herself and I always pray to her that she can help me love Jesus as she did. It's no wonder she is a doctor of the church! I wish we could be best friends. I feel like I have so much to to learn from her.

3. Besides the Eucharist, what is your favorite part of the Mass?

I love the homily. I always have, even before I started to take my faith seriously. Now that I do, I love hearing how I can apply the readings to my own life, and prayerfully consider it as I am receiving Jesus in the Eucharist. Some priests have called it the "bridge" between the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist and I could not agree more. While the Eucharist is the most important part of the Mass, I do believe that the homily helps prepare me to receive the Eucharist. The homily helps us to understand Jesus better and our relationship to Him and that is very important for receiving Him. The homily helps to remind myself that I cannot do life without God, giving me a bit of humility which we need to have a better relationship with Christ.

4. Where is the best Catholic place you've visited? Where do you hope to visit?

I love the National Basilica in Washington D.C. If you have never been there, all I can say is "go". I'm not going to spoil it for you (and honestly, it is beyond my ability to describe). My dream is to visit the Vatican (can ya blame me?!) I also would love to visit the Holy Land, Lisieux in France, and somewhere where a Marian apparition has appeared.

5. What's a myth or misconception you hear about the Catholic Faith? What's the truth of it?

One thing I hear all the time is that we pray to saints. The truth of it stems from a misunderstanding of the word "pray" which also means "to ask for an intercession from." We ask the saints to pray for us, and that is what it means to "pray" to a saint. It is the same as if we were to ask someone on earth to pray for us.

6. Why do you love being Catholic?

Oh man, this question comes with a loaded answer. I could go on and on about this, but if I had to choose one thing, it would be that we are the Church that Jesus instituted Himself. You cannot get more authentic than that. Who wouldn't want the church that Jesus Himself actually started? So much beauty and truth stems from that fact alone. Also, stating that fact can help get someone become interested in the Catholic Church.