I learned about the parish three years ago and started attending mass (although I was raised Byzantine catholic). Our Lady is Roman rite. The art of the church is beautiful and inspiring to me! It was a place I found comfort and peace. It was here I prayed that one day I'd meet the man set aside just for me, finally my prayers were answered in meeting John. Being an artist, inspiration is important, I feel one should feel that in their spirituality. I longed for the tradition and warmth of a small parish. I found it here. I enjoy the fact that the parish is thriving, strong in it's culture and tradition and has a lot of young families.

The fact this historic jewel is in the middle of one of San Diego's newest redeveloped neighborhoods, Little Italy (and future residence of John and I) is even more endearing. You can literally walk across Columbia street from Johns new home to the church. Juxtaposed against some of the most modern architecture in San Diego it adds heart and history to the modern structures that surround it and reminds of us when San Diego was just a sleepy fishing town. Although the neighborhood is mostly upscale lofts, boutiques, and cafe's the church adds it's own charm, namely in the form of it's bells - (which promptly start at 7:00 AM each day) we never wonder what time it is and on lazy Sunday afternoons when you hear them ring, it makes you think of somewhere in Europe (at least it does for me).

Performing our wedding will be Father Louis Solcia, a sicilian priest and friend who helped me with prayer and encouragement over the years. He would often refer to me one of his “loose ends” and would assure me I'd eventually meet the right person. He was right!

We are honored to be having our wedding here!