Category Archives: *FAITH

I belong to the Roman Catholic Church, and I choose to still be in this Church, but there is more to my faith than just my religious affinity. Read all about that here!

FIAT & FAITH: Women Who Embody the "Feminine Genius"

FIAT & FAITH: Nour’s HeartBREAKTHROUGH Story

In today’s secular world, being a “woman of faith” and making it known (all for God’s glory) is no easy feat. I’ve known this month’s featured “female genius” (she’s actually my best friend! LOL) for several years now and I’m glad to say I saw how her faith journey developed (and continues to do so), the same way she witnessed mine.

Her name’s Nour. And here’s her story on how her faith helped turn her heartbreak into a breakthrough…

When I asked her when her “conversion” happened (as in her faith journey on how she became a devout and practicing Catholic/follower of Christ), she shared, “I grew up and was raised in a Catholic family. Attending Sunday Mass was a routine. There was a time in my life when it got boring. My mom is an active servant of the Lord in our church. I was secretly admiring yet curious where she’s getting all the fire in her heart. Until I heard myself telling God, ‘I want to know you more.’ It was a whisper within me but God heard it loud and clear.

“A failed (romantic) relationship left me devastated and broken. Little did I know that the cracks in my heart is where God’s light will shine. I finally decided to attend a Catholic charismatic community named Light of Jesus (LOJ), it has a weekly prayer meeting/gathering called The Feast. There, we pray, worship, and get free spiritual talks. It’s Sunday Mass done with a fun twist! But that was just the start. I can say that my faith journey was not a walk in the park. My relationship with Christ was one roller coaster ride. Eventually, God made a way for my stubborn heart to finally say yes in attending a Jesus Encounter retreat (facilitated by LOJ, too). In that retreat, I literally encountered Jesus. I encountered His love for me. Countless times, my belief was shaken, but God’s love remained unshakeable. That’s when I finally realized that it is no longer about how much I love Him but being still and knowing that I am loved.

“…it is no longer about how much I love Him but being still and knowing that I am loved”

“His Love changed my heart in every way possible. Today, I am still a work in progress. I stumble, I fall, I am imperfect. But God has made Himself known to me. In Exodus 3:14, it says ‘I am who I am’. He did not say ‘I was’ or ‘I will be’. He is not just a God of my past or my future. But He is a God of my present and all the seasons of my life.

“So, thank God for my mom! Indeed, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. My mom and I now share the same heart for Christ.”

ON BEING CATHOLIC AND PROUD

With all the struggles she has been through, including in her faith life, Nour is proud to be Catholic (just like me! Hehe!). When asked why the Catholic faith, she answered, “I believe in the Old Testament. There is a saying that the old is gone and the new has come; but the old is never gone. Because like our past, we don’t hold on to it, we learn from it. The ‘new’ would not exist without the ‘old.’ There will never be a plant without the soil. I came to understand Jesus in the ‘new’ through understanding the ‘old’ — the ‘old’ where my Heavenly Father has revealed Himself to me: strict, a disciplinarian, but also tender and loving. The Catholic Faith is rich in so many ways. The priests, the Sacraments (especially confession), the Saints, the love for Mama Mary, the Holy Rosary, and the Mass.

“Before there were prophets and kings, priests were the first messengers of God’s Word to the world, just like when He first chose Aaron to be the first priest because Moses stuttered.

“Then there’s the conventional celebration of the Catholic Mass; it is a divine appointment. To me, it is a weekly renewal of faith and a reminder of the salvation of the world and glorification to the Father. It is heartwarming knowing that God the Father speaks through the first reading, the Holy Spirit in the second reading, and Jesus in the Gospel. Wow, right? And of course, the consecration of the Holy Eucharist. Isn’t it amazing to be invited to witness God’s miracle with the bread and wine every single week? There is power every time the priest lifts the bread and says ‘this is no longer bread’ but ‘this is the body of Christ.’ The consecration and the power of the spirit are real and mind blowing! I am reminded that we are more in need of the bread of life instead of the food that perishes. When I took time to study the Catholic faith and how things work, I have never looked at the Holy Mass the same way again.

“…I took time to study the Catholic faith”

“Lastly, the Saints — I love them! They are my heavenly barkada [group of friends]. Saints are our helpers. And for me, it is good practice to humble ourselves and admit that we need help and prayers. This includes my heart for Mama Mary and the Holy Rosary. She has been a big part of the woman I am and thriving to become.”

Her favorite Saints include St. Jude Thaddeus, St. Benedict of Nursia, St. Pio of Pietrelcina, and of course, Mama Mary — the ultimate intercessor and example of the feminine genius. Nour believes that we don’t choose our Saints, rather, they choose us. “During trials, they show up through ways I never realized possible. They speak protection and hope in my heart.”

a sneak peek into Nour‘s personal altar [note: “Bambini” figurines are available at St Pauls stores nationwide.]

Having said that, it’s also no surprise that Nour reads the Bible! After all, it was St. Jerome (a Catholic Saint!) who once said, “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” Her favorite verse is Jeremiah 29:11,

“For I know well the plans I have in mind for you — oracle of the Lord — plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope.”

She mentioned that this verse has spoken to her in so many ways. Then, another verse from the same book eventually led its way to her heart, thanks to the Holy Spirit:

“When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart,”
-Jeremiah 29:13

Nour said, “It made me believe in the power to intentionally seek Him with all of me. And today, this is where I found His plan for me. No matter what season I am in, I am comfortable, contented, joyous, and living in peace. Remember, if your story is not yet good, then it is not the end. He is faithful to His promise.”

SINGLE AND BASKING IN GOD’S LOVE

As of this writing, Nour‘s making the most out of her current life season as a single woman. “I am single and I am 35. Some say it is late, some say it is a curse, some say it is better. I can either frown and sink into the world’s standards, or believe that delays are not denials but only God’s timing. I believe that all seasons are temporary, including our life here on earth. I am not in this season alone because I am in a ‘dating’ season with God —- enjoying and immersing myself in an intimate relationship with Him through studying His word, praying, journaling, reading spiritual books, committing myself to journey with my fellow women in need of God’s mercy, and practicing daily life with a heart like Jesus’. Is it easy? No. It is challenging just like any relationship. But my life has never been fulfilling and joyful as it is today. I learned to rest my personal desires on His hand, trusting and hoping in obedience to Him.

“So to all my fellow single women out there, learn to submit yourself to God because only His love will teach us to submit to our future husbands.” I say amen to that! 😉

Aside from single women, what advice can she give to fellow Catholics struggling with their faith? “The Catholic mass is a form of God’s grace but the Catholic faith doesn’t start and end there. God blessed us with free will. Pray to God that He may give you the will, way, and wisdom to read and understand the Bible. This is your ‘manual,’ your ‘handbook’ in life. Know that even the most expensive gadget has a manual for us to know how to use it. This is exactly my journey in reading God’s Word. I randomly catch myself saying ‘I should have known this earlier in my life.’ Being a woman and mastering my self-worth has been quite a journey. With mercy and grace, God led me to His Word. I have known myself better through knowing my Creator. The Bible is the most treasured gift the world has and my prayer is more people would really take the time to read it. It is God’s love for us — never forced, freely given, and always available.

“Remember that you are created in His image and likeness. You are amazing as He is! So spread the good news.”

❤

Check out Nour‘s Youtube vlog channel HERE and continue to be inspired
(and laugh out loud at times! Haha!)

Here’s one she made for my wedding (as in we played it while guests were waiting during the reception!) 😛 ENJOOOY!

—
For more about the “Fiat & Faith” blog series, click HERE.

Standard
*FAITH, FIAT & FAITH: Women Who Embody the "Feminine Genius"

FIAT & FAITH Blog Series: Women Who Embody the “Feminine Genius”

*COMING SOON*

Tupac Shakur once expressed to respect all women because we all came from one.

Well, I couldn’t agree any less! That’s just a fact of life and we can’t change it. Then there’s also the term “feminine genius” first coined by St. John Paul the Great (then Pope John Paul II). In his letter to women in 1995, he wrote:

“Thank you, every woman, for the simple fact of being a woman! Through the insight which is so much a part of your womanhood you enrich the world’s understanding and help to make human relations more honest and authentic.”

The first time I encountered the feminine genius years ago, I have to admit that I got interested but I couldn’t understand it right then and there. I had to read articles, books, etc. to somehow comprehend it. Realizing that I’m a daughter, sister, aunt, wife, and soon-to-be mother — different roles, but with the same purpose of loving others — made me close in truly embodying it, though I’m still a work in progress (aren’t we all?).

One writer summarized the feminine genius in four aspects: receptivity, sensitivity, generosity, and maternity (physical and spiritual).

All women embody those four aforementioned aspects. But I’ve come to realize that yes, each woman is still unique so there’s no one “formula” to the feminine genius. To exemplify this, I came up with an idea. Before I rebranded this blog to what it is now, I used to feature travelers. And yes, I miss collaborating! So I decided that this time, I’ll start a new series featuring fellow women of faith who embody the feminine genius in their own way.

That’s when “Fiat and Faith” was born. Just like Mama Mary — the ultimate example of the feminine genius — it all starts with saying “yes” (fiat). So thank you to the women who already agreed and will agree to be featured in spreading God’s message to the world, especially about authentic femininity as He designed it to be. ❤

This blog series will start this month, October – the month of the Holy Rosary, so watch out for that! 🙂

To know more about the feminine genius, here are some additional reading/links from other websites:

—

TO GOD BE THE GLORY ALWAYS AND FOREVER!

❤

“Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting;
the woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
-Proverbs 31:30

Standard
*FAITH, Down Memory Lane, The World (TRAVEL)

San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy: St. Padre Pio’s Sanctuary

September 23 is the day the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Pio of Pietrelcina. It was also on this day in 1968 when he joined our Creator and became a more powerful intercessor. 🙂

He’s known more as Padre Pio (and personally, I prefer to call him St. Padre Pio! Hehe!). Two years ago, I had the privilege to visit his resting place in San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy (which was four hours away from Rome by land travel – train-walk- and bus), where his incorruptible body also rests.

I wasn’t able to write about that experience in detail (with the exception of my photo blog – check out “Euro Trip 2018 Highlights: Italy and the Vatican”), but for some special reason, I’ve been called this year to finally recall the details.

As you read on my previous blog entry, I’m currently pregnant and I had a hard time during my first trimester due to nausea/vomiting, etc. It was an excruciating and frustrating time; I even lost around 6 lbs. then because I couldn’t eat and drink properly. During one of those days while I was in bed, I scrolled through the photos on my phone. Then, I saw this:

my “prayer letter” to St. Pio in 2018, written while inside his former tomb

I totally forgot about this “prayer letter” I left in San Giovanni Rotondo when I visited St. Pio‘s place! In 2018, two years before I got married and pregnant (my husband Ish and I weren’t even engaged then), I was already claiming and praying for our “future godly family” and my “healthy and safe future pregnancies and child birth” — like woah! It was like the Holy Spirit gave me a wake-up call and reminded me that everything was, is, and will be fine. As St. Pio used to say, “pray, hope, and don’t worry.” Of course I asked and continues to ask for his intercession, and I’m a witness to how powerful his prayers are.

In James 5:16, it is said, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.” Read the last line again, and I can say it very much applies to St. Pio! No wonder he’s a favorite among fellow Catholics! 😉

If you happen to be in Italy, I highly suggest you also pay his place a visit. Here’s how to get there:

“Approximate price” is in Philippine pesos (PHP)

  1. From Rome, go to the Roma Termini train station.
  2. Buy a train ticket going to Foggia (this will be a 3-hour train ride).
  3. Once in Foggia, travel by foot to the Foggia bus station (this will take around 10 minutes).
  4. Buy a bus ticket going to San Giovanni Rotondo.
  5. When you’re on the San Giovanni Rotondo-bound bus, relax for 30 minutes because in no time, you’ll finally arrive at St. Padre Pio‘s sanctuary!

Upon stepping down the bus, you’ll be welcomed by these awesome sites:

the church-shrine of Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy

I went with my two ates! And yes, I miss traveling with them!

the church altar where St. Pio said his last Holy Mass

St. Pio’s confessional box, where he usually already knew the confessor’s sins even before they were spoken

As a bonus, there are also two other important relics inside the church-shrine:

relic of St. Teresa of Calcutta inside St. Pio’s church-shrine

relic of St. John Paul the Great inside St. Pio’s church-shrine

As a devout Filipino Roman Catholic, I remember that whenever a Saint’s relic would be toured in the Philippines, people always flock the place where it’s displayed — even queueing for hours! But in St. Pio‘s church-shrine, there were no long lines! The place was really quiet and sacred, that’s why I really suggest that if you’re already in Italy, take the opportunity to travel to San Giovanni Rotondo. Sure, it may take a whole day in your travel itinerary, but I can assure you that it’s definitely worth it!!! 🙂

St. Pio, pray for us!

St. Pio of Pietrelcina, PRAY FOR US!

❤

TO GOD BE THE GLORY ALWAYS AND FOREVER!

Standard