With Eyes of Wonder

Ellen Mongan interviews author Allison Gingras about her book, Encountering Signs of Faith: My Unexpected Journey with Sacramentals, the Saints, and the Abundant Grace of God.

“Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3b)

My husband used to say with delight, “The Catholic Church has so many treasures, for you to discover.” In her creative, unique style, Allison Gingras unpacks the sacramentals and gives a peek at some of her favorite saints, better known as her “saint posse,” in her book, Encountering Signs of Faith: My Unexpected Journey with Sacramentals, the Saints, and the Abundant Grace of God. My husband was right, there are so many treasures to discover. Each chapter is filled with food for thought as I encountered my faith in a new way. I guess we cradle Catholics really do not know it all.  

My favorite part of Encountering Signs of Faith is that it is a story within a story. Allison teaches about the sacramentals and saints by sharing her personal experiences in her journey to adopt a child from China. It stirs the faith in your own soul reminding you of things you were taught long ago and may have forgotten. It also opens the door for things you never knew and grows a desire in your heart to add them to your own faith life.  

Allison is a storyteller. Her words come alive in your heart as you experience her adoption journey. God had put a strong desire in Allison’s heart to adopt a child from China. Along the way, Allison faces many obstacles, fears, disappointments, and challenges. However, Allison kept her eyes on Jesus and her faith to help her persevere and overcome all the difficulties. She trusted that Jesus wanted her to take this journey and confirmed her mission in many ways.  

Habakkuk says it best:

For the vision is a witness for the appointed time, a testimony to the end; it will not disappoint. If it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late. See, the rash have no integrity; but the just one who is righteous because of faith shall live. (Habakkuk 2:3-4)

Allison waited for God’s word to her to be fulfilled. God’s faithfulness shines through in each chapter. Patient endurance became the fruit established in her heart until her daughter was finally safe in her arms. What did she name her daughter, Faith, but affectionately called Faithy. I find it to be the perfect choice. It will always remind Allison of the journey she took. 

This is not the end of the journey. Now with her daughter, Faithy, officially a Gingras, Allison faces new challenges in teaching Faithy the faith. This was no ordinary task, as Faithy was both Deaf and did not speak English. Children have a way of looking at the world through eyes of wonder. They approach their faith in the same manner. Listening to the Holy Spirit each step of the way, and with a mother’s love, Allison succeeds in passing the treasures of our faith down to her daughter. One of our pastors used to say, “The faith is not taught; it is caught.”  

Do you want to discover more of the treasures in your Catholic faith? Do you desire to pass your faith down to your children? I encourage you to read Encountering Signs of Faith. It would be a great summer read for you and your family. This book will surely stir the faith within. Those eyes of wonder that you had as a child will be opened wide. You will come alive with joy in the gift of faith God has instilled in you.  

Listen to the podcast below and meet the author, Allison Gingras, as she shares about her book, then pass it on to a friend.  

Copyright 2023 Ellen Mongan
Images: Canva
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