There are various means by which we get started with our devotions to saints and holy people. The most usual way, I think, is through our church's traditions on praying. We have Wednesday devotions to the Perpetual Help, Friday devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and many other ways of dedicating our time to them. But there are devotions that are more personal. This story is about how a dear friend came to know about Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. Do you have a special

In the eighties, I went to daily Mass at the Sacred Heart of Jesus church. I also used to attend First Friday Masses. Lately, I've been saying the Sacred Heart of Jesus prayers daily. But I never really thought about the history behind this devotion. After some research, I now know that the journey to this devotion was a long and challenging one. It was difficult for St. Margaret Mary Alcoque to spread the message of Jesus, as it was for others before and after her chosen to

All these years, I thought that the father who inspired Father's Day was a widower with six children. I was partly wrong. He was a widower with 14 children! How he was able to take care of the youngest six who were totally dependent on him is something that only the heart will know. Happy Father's Day to all Dads and Dads-at-heart! My name's Anna Maria, and I publish a new video on YouTube's Touched by Grace Today and a new post on my blog touchedbygrace.today every Friday!

The feast day of St. Anthony is on June 13, and Corpus Christi is on June 16. Aside from the nearness of their feast days, is there anything else that can connect them? I've been thinking how I can incorporate these two special days together. What a coincidence when I read a lesser known miracle of St. Anthony that's perfect for the two celebrations! During St. Anthony's time, there were several heretics that he had to contend with. During one event, a group of heretics chall

Pentecost is celebrated this coming Sunday, June 5. In early 2022, I was invited by one of our church's ministries, the Catholic Discussion Group, to give a talk in April. I was given free reign to choose the topic. I felt directed to share my stories of God's graces. But I knew I can't go about sharing my stories without any direction or focus. One day, my heart prayed, "Holy Spirit, please guide me." Lo and behold! That evening, it's as if an outline was shown to me, and a

Joseph Campbell is an American author and literary professor who wrote in his book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, that all hero myths follow a similar pattern. In a gist, the pattern consists of the hero being called to an adventure. In responding to the call, he/she will face many challenges and trials. At the same time, the hero will meet people who will support him/her on his/her journey. In the end, he/she will succeed and bring about a transformation to his/her charact

Is it easy for you to forgive? Over the years, it's been easier, but there are just hurts that cling to me like gum under the shoe. Sometimes, I find myself replaying the hurtful experience and fastening on to the painful memories. There's something about feeling good playing the victim. Psychologically it also feels good to see the other as the villain. But then every time I pray the Our Father, the prayer that Jesus himself taught us, I know I have to move forward. One way

On today's feast of Our Lady of Fatima, May 13, I am posting a hero story. The story of Lucia, Jacinta, and Francisco is a story of heroism in that these children have undergone struggles and challenges to be able to speak the truth. According to a professor of literature and author, Joseph Campbell, all hero plots follow the same pattern. In the mythical world, there are Hercules, Odysseus, and Prometheus among others. There are also modern day super heroes in the likes of

Mother's Day the last decade felt differently. My mother passed away in 2012. She has been my biggest supporter in everything. And looking back, not everything has been clearly right or good, but she was always there for me. Mother's Day 2019 was no different. Except that we had the visiting statue of the Blessed Mother Mary stay with us for two weeks before Mother's Day. Wishing all mothers and mothers-at-heart a very special day! God bless. My name's Anna Maria, and I pu

It was a hectic Holy Week. We were hosting Easter lunch, so there were cooking and cleaning everywhere. I also wanted to incorporate an Easter trivia game to the celebration. On top of that, I wanted to restart the Touched by Grace Today blog site and do a Youtube video. But I did not have an Easter story. Thank goodness the busyness of the days left no time for much disappointment of not having a story to share. Then came Holy Saturday. I hope that the rest of this Easter

Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples: 2“The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3So practice and observe everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4They tie up heavy, burdensome loads and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. Matthew 23:1-4 How many times have we heard people say something and yet do something else? (Just listen to the news, an

One of the reasons I do my best and aim for the best that I can be is to give thanks to our Lord. (To win, to be recognized, and to succeed were reasons I used to have.) Another is to inspire other people to do likewise. I was wonderfully surprised when someone whom I randomly met and shared my stories with was so inspired by God's graces that she began to journal her experiences and is now working on her own blog site! I couldn't wait to read her stories! And that's what th

A friend and I often discuss about our faith. She is Protestant, and I am Catholic. Whenever we discuss our differences, I see each of us looking at opposite sides of a coin. She is appreciating the beauty of her side, as I acknowledge the refinements on my side. The same coin that we are looking at from different sides can “buy” the same thing we want. In this case, salvation through Jesus Christ. In much the same way, we are both walking our journey in life taking differe