I believe in Angels

I believe in angels…
Something good in everything I see.
I believe in angels…
When I know the time is right for me,
I’ll cross the stream—I have a dream.

Do these lyrics ring a bell? This ballad from the early 2000s captures a sense of faith and guidance, something that has been present in my life for as long as I can remember.

As a child, I had a remarkable memory—though nowadays, I sometimes forget where I left my phone or charger! My dad often says to my younger sister, “Ipaalala mo sa ate mo, makakalimutin pa naman ‘yan!” (“Remind your older sister, she’s forgetful!”).

There’s a saying in the Philippines that if you’ve undergone surgery and had anesthesia, forgetfulness can be one of the side effects. This is particularly common among moms. While I haven’t had children yet, I did experience major surgery once—and it brought me closer to angels.

Today is the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows and I thought that today is the best time to share this story. Why it gives me a comforting feeling and would love to share it with others.

The Angels in My Life

I’ve always believed in angels. From a young age, I sensed their presence in small, everyday moments. While reflecting on how to share my story about angels, it felt as though the Universe was speaking to me through music, reminding me of a beloved early 2000s classic by Westlife.

Westlife, NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, 98 Degrees—these boybands formed the soundtrack of my childhood. My parents were school bus operators, and the radio was always on during school runs, filling the air with the latest hits.

Out of all the boybands, Westlife was my favorite. Looking back now, I find it fascinating that my nickname, Aine, is Irish, just like the band. It feels like more than a coincidence—my love for an Irish band and my Irish name seem cosmically intertwined. In Irish, my name is pronounced Anw-ya, while in German, it sounds like Einstein.

What makes this even more special is the meaning behind my name. Aine is the Irish goddess associated with love, fertility, and healing. Her name means “radiance.” She is the Celtic goddess of wealth and summer—full of warmth, light, and abundance. Knowing this now, it feels as if my name has guided me toward a life filled with these qualities and traits I embody, much like the presence of angels guiding me along my journey.

This synchronicity—the blending of names and music—feels like the gentle hand of a greater power, working with angels quietly nudging me in the right direction.

Interestingly, my former college professor, Sir Leo Cabasag, once led a class discussion on the significance of names. I still feel a little bad because he had to research the meanings of all four of my names! I vividly remember the activity we did in his class. Recently, I reached out to him while I was conceptualizing how to write this blog story. He reminded me of something profound: “When people discover the true meaning of their names, they often try to live it out and embody its significance.”

His words have stayed with me over the years, shaping how I see myself and my name. Reconnecting with people like Sir Leo—who have had a positive impact on my life—always brings me joy. His second name, Angelo, adds to the significance I’ve placed on angels in my journey. I truly believe he is one of the angels God sent to support me when I needed it most.

So, a special shoutout to Sir Leo—one of the first people I shared this story with. He has been a quiet, yet powerful influence in my ongoing journey of understanding angels, names, and the paths we walk.

What a great day to share this to a greater audience no other than the feast day of Our Lady of Sorrows!

A Eureka Moment

It was the eve of the feast day of San Juan Bautista  (St. John the Baptist) when this idea came to me. I remember vividly because I was standing across the Minor Basilica of St. John the Baptist in my humble town of Taytay, in the province of Rizal, watching the procession descend into town.

I had a eureka moment. I told my dad, “Do you remember who Jesus entrusted His mother to?”

“Who?” he asked.

“To John!” I said.

Later that evening, I googled which John. Lo and behold, it was John the Apostle.

The Feast day of Our Lady of Sorrows

There are Seven Sorrow linked to Our Lady. Seven Sorrows that pierced her heart as she witnessed the suffering of her son to redeem humankind. In this story, we are focusing on the fifth sorrow, Mary at the Foot of the Cross (John 19:25-30).

“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary, the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold your son!’ Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother!’ And from that hour, that disciple took her to his own home.”

This particular gospel came to mind when I had my eureka moment, the moment that inspired me to connect the dots. Being named Mary Anne noticing that God is sending me Angels in the form of friends named Johns and Michaels, Christians, Juans, Michelle and Rafael. And it does give me a comforting feeling that I am always guided, supported.

September has always held a special place in my heart. For some reason, the song September by Earth, Wind & Fire always puts me in a good mood. In 2023, I studied Angel Healing under Rev. Lilian J. Hewlett, and it was then that I realized why this month is my second favorite—it is dedicated to both Mary and the angels!

A Childhood Full of Angels

Growing up, my mom taught me to pray the rosary whenever I struggled to fall asleep. She was also the guiding force behind my connection to angels. I’ve always felt a connection with my guardian angel, but as the years passed, that bond seemed to dim. Then, in 2022, it reignited in a powerful way. 

As a child, instead of counting sheep, I would count angels. I’d imagine them guarding our home—one standing by the gate, another at the front door, a few outside my room, and one right beside me, watching over me as I drifted off to sleep. That connection, which had once felt distant, deepened again during a crucial moment in 2022.

Archangel Michael and My Spinal Tap

In 2022, I was diagnosed with a condition that required a spinal tap—a procedure involving my spine. I was terrified. There was a real chance of complications, and I vividly remember praying to God, fully surrendering to His will. Despite my fear, a calmness washed over me—a sense of peace, knowing that whatever happened was in God’s hands.

As I lay in the hospital, wearing my gown and clutching a wooden rosary, I felt an overwhelming sense of comfort. It was then I knew Archangel Michael was with me. His presence was so strong that I felt reassured, knowing that I wasn’t alone. It was a reminder that angels have always been with me—and that it was time to reconnect with them.

In a remarkable twist, my surgeon was also named Michael. I always like telling this story because I truly believe what happened was a miracle. The procedure didn’t even need to happen. My doctor told me that the pressure in my brain was normal, and I didn’t have to spend the night at the hospital. To top it off, my headaches were gone, and my heart was at peace. It felt like God had fulfilled His promise to me!

During the entire process, my mom prayed the rosary, and to this day, I tell people that what happened to me was a true miracle.

After the doctor’s news, my parents were equally surprised by how smoothly everything went, but I knew it was God, Our Lady, and the angels at work. Before heading home, we stopped by the St. Pio Chapel in Quezon City to give thanks. That moment rekindled my love for angels, and Archangel Michael has remained a guiding force in my life ever since.

Angels in Disguise

After receiving my Reiki certification, I became more involved in the Reiki community. In November 2023, I had the opportunity to join a Reiki retreat organized by the Philippine Reiki Council. Being relatively new, I hadn’t yet formed personal connections, as most of our classes were held online.

I prayed to God for an angel in the form of a friend—someone to share the retreat experience with. And, through divine intervention, God sent me Michael, a fellow Reiki practitioner. From the moment we met, it felt like a connection meant to be. Since then, Michael has become a close friend and kindred spirit.

You may follow Michael on Tiktok and on Facebook, Michale R. Caroche.

Even in my previous job, I was surrounded by angels in disguise—colleagues named Michael, Michelle, and Rafael—who made my time at work meaningful. They were like guardian angels, watching over me, ensuring I left with nothing but fond memories.

A Life Guided by Angels

Throughout my life, angels have appeared in different forms—sometimes as a comforting presence, other times through the people around me. Their guidance, protection, and love have profoundly shaped my journey, and I believe they continue to watch over me today.

If you, too, believe in angels, I encourage you to look for them in everyday moments, in the people you meet, and in those quiet whispers of comfort during challenging times. You might be surprised at just how often they make their presence known.

May you be reunited with the angels in your life!

Thank you for making it here.

All the best,

Aine