It started with me wanting to do some further research on depression for a future project. A quick search throughout the internet led me to this book. Thanks to Dr. Aaron Kheriaty for sending me this book to review. This book is one that must be read thoroughly. It’s not something you devour in one sitting or just skim through superficially. Like the disease of depression, this book takes time to read. Too many people have preconceptions of what... Read more
I almost never back down from a challenge. I love doing photo-a-day challenges on Instagram and I do poem-a-day challenges every April. So when Leah Darrow posted about the 30 Day Closet Challenge on her website, I felt called to take it on and write about it. The 30 Day Closet Challenge was prompted by Leah’s friend Sarah Kroger who talks about why she started the challenge on her blog. I can identify with that #firstworldproblem she tweeted of staring at... Read more
I’m not gonna say that I’m a Wes Craven film buff. I’ve only seen Wes Craven’s New Nightmare and Scream a few times. But I still feel gutted like a fish right now because of the impact he made in the horror genre. Not only did he create a great series of slasher films with Nightmare on Elm Street but later deconstructed them with the Scream series. And to hear now that this wonderful director died of brain cancer is just heartbreaking considering that the Nightmare on... Read more
I practically live on the internet. I wrote a post about how awesome it is to have friends on the internet. I love that I can be open about my faith online to friends and acquaintances who see themselves as atheist, agnostic or “spiritual but not religious” without having any kind of yelling or belittling of myself or my beliefs. But I still have friends in real life as well and while I have a lot of social networks, I... Read more
Saints have a way of interceding in your life even when you don’t ask for their intercession. Check out how Monica and Augustine saved me from a bad relationship in my latest article from Radiance and Grace Magazine! Read more
For those who don’t know, my full name is a long one. I’m Filipino. Long names come with the territory. My first name is Ann Mary, but I go by my middle name “Monique.” This often leads to people calling me “Monica” by mistake. Whenever that happened, I wouldn’t mind. After all, I chose Monica as my Confirmation name. Now unlike my brother and other high school kids, I didn’t choose my Confirmation name after researching the saints. In spite... Read more
Is Jesus the center of your life? Find out here! Read more
From The Visitation Project’s Website: The Visitation Project is a radio show with one goal: meeting Catholic women wherever they are. Co-hosts Rebecca Frech, Bonnie Engstrom, and Heather Renshaw come from different backgrounds, regions of the country, and perspectives, yet together they offer a fresh voice for Catholic radio. On-air, the TVP Crew discusses issues and challenges significant to today’s Catholic woman, while infusing huge doses of joy and their love of Jesus Christ and the Catholic faith as the... Read more
It all started with this Twitter conversation: [View the story “Anxiety and Avoidance Issues” on Storify] Jasmin Marsters is the wife of James Marsters AKA Spike on Buffy. She’s an actress/model/musician who also does some writing and production for independent films. I like what she shares on her Twitter and Instagram, even though we may not always agree. My avoidance issue had to do with the fact that when I was having a mini-meltdown, I did everything but turn to God.... Read more
Monique Ocampo Writes
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The Cassock and Collar Make the Man
One wonderful thing about growing up Catholic is that I always smile and feel excited whenever I see a priest or a nun in full uniform. I understand why plainclothes nuns exist and in my college, some of the priests wore casual clothes along with their collars. But the feeling’s not the same. Whenever I see a Missionary of Charity, in their signature blue and white habits, I automatically think of Mother Teresa and think These women are so awesome to... Read more