Encountering Signs of Faith: My Unexpected Journey with Sacramentals, the Saints, and the Abundant Grace of God

by Allison Gingras, Kelly M. Wahlquist (Foreword by)

Overview

Perfect Read for October—Pro-Life Awareness Month—and November—National Adoption Month!

When Allison Gingras received a Miraculous Medal from a friend, she began weaving it and other sacramentals into her daily prayer and family life. Through these sacred signs—which open our hearts to God’s grace—she not only grew closer to Jesus and Mary, but also found the strength and clarity to say “yes” to God’s call to adoption.

In Encountering Signs of Faith, Gingras—founder of Reconciled to You ministries—shares how sacramentals sustained her as she discerned and embraced the adoption of her profoundly deaf daughter from China, deepened their bond, and offered a powerful witness to the beauty of every life as a gift from God.

Alongside her story, Gingras highlights saints who drew strength from sacramentals—such as Juan Diego, Faustina, Bernadette, and Venerable Patrick Peyton—and shows how simple practices like using holy water, praying novenas, displaying sacred images, or praying with the Rosary can enrich family faith life. Each chapter includes reflection questions and activities to help you and your loved ones embrace the sanctity of life and grow in trustful surrender to God’s plan.

This heartfelt book will inspire you to recognize the gift of life in all its forms, respond with courage to God’s invitations, and encounter Jesus, Mary, and the saints through the tangible signs of faith.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781646801428
Publisher:	Ave Maria Press
Publication date:	10/28/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	160
File size:	5 MB

About the Author

Allison Gingras—of ReconciledToYou.com—is a dynamic Catholic author, speaker, and digital evangelist. She serves as the director of digital evangelization for Family Rosary and Catholic Mom. 

Gingras is the author of Encountering Signs of Faith and the creator of the Stay Connected Journals for Catholic Women, including The Gift of Invitation, Seeking Peace, and Jesus Heals. She is a contributor to several books, including The Ave Prayer Book for Catholic Mothers, Living the Word Catholic Women’s Bible, and The Catholic Mom’s Prayer Companion. Gingras has been featured on a variety of Catholic television and radio programs and podcasts.

Gingras cohosts the podcasts Through the Mysteries which explores the impact of prayer on daily family life and the Catholic Momcast where she shares insights on all things motherhood.

Allison Gingras is a Catholic social media consultant and the host and creator of the podcast A Seeking Heart.

Gingras developed and acquired six volumes in the Stay Connected Journals for Women series and wrote two—The Gift of Invitation and Seeking Peace. She is a contributor to a number of books, including The Ave Prayer Book for Catholic Mothers, Called by Name, and The Catholic Mom’s Prayer Companion. Gingras has been featured on a variety of Catholic television and radio programs and podcasts. She is a regular contributor to LPI, Diocesan.com, CatholicMom.com, Family Rosary, WINE, Amazing Catechists, and CatholicSistas. Gingras is the cohost of the Catholic MomCast.

She was given the Light of Christ Award by the Archdiocese of Boston in 2008. She is a member of Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha’s Diocesan Revitalization Committee in the Fall River Diocese. Gingras is a member of the Catholic Writer’s Guild, the National Council of Catholic Women, and Catholics Online.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Bridgewater State University and a master’s degree in technology in education from Lesley University. She is a certified paralegal.

Kelly M. Wahlquist is a Catholic author and speaker, and the founder of WINE: Women In the New Evangelization. She is the director for the Archbishop Flynn Catechetical Institute in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Wahlquist is the author of Created to Relate, the editor of Walk In Her Sandals and Gaze Upon Jesus, and a contributing writer for WINE. Wahlquist leads women’s pilgrimages through Italy and Ireland and travels around the country speaking on the New Evangelization. She lives in Minnesota with her husband, Andy, and their children.

Table of Contents

Foreword Kelly M. Wahlquist vii

Introduction xi

1 All about Grace:

St. Catherine Labouré and the Miraculous Medal 1

2 Companions on the Journey:

St. Faustina Kowalska and Divine Mercy 13

3 Surrendering to the Cross:

St. Padre Pio, Relics, and Crucifixes 29

4 A Little Prayer Never Hurts:

St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Prayer Cards, and Novenas 43

5 Covered in Love:

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the Brown Scapular 55

6 My Weapon of Choice:

Ven. Patrick Peyton and the Rosary 67

7 Inspired by the Word:

St. John the Evangelist, the Blessed Mother, and Scripture 79

8 Someone to Look Up To:

St. Juan Diego and Sacred Images 91

9 Staying Connected to Church:

St. Bernadette Soubirous, Holy Water, Incense, and Candles 103

10 A Modern-Day Miracle:

St. Gemma Galgani and Religious Medals 117

Conclusion 129

Appendix 132

Notes 138

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“Allison Gingras beautifully unites us as a faithful family by introducing us to people, places, and things that make God’s love real. In Encountering Signs of Faith, we meet men and women from around the world who embraced sacramentals and lived holy and venerable lives. And, we see how the tangibles of our faith invoke the prayer of the entire Church and help us live the plan of sheer goodness God has for each of us.” —From the foreword by Kelly M. Wahlquist, founder of WINE: Women In the New Evangelization

“Like sacramentals, this book is a blessing.” —Melanie Rigney, author of Sisterhood of Saints

“Encountering Signs of Faith is informative and instructive, yet much more. It is at its heart the story of an intimate journey nourished by love and a passion for the faith.” —Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, Diocese of Fall River

“Real, refreshing, and relatable.” —Michele Faehnle, coauthor of Divine Mercy for Moms