About

Welcome!

My name is Marielle Ignacio DeTorres. I’m Filipina and a lifelong Catholic with a special devotion to the Holy Family. I’m constantly amazed by God’s love, even more so now as a new wife and mother. On the weekends, I co-lead the Young Families & Couples group of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Downtown Tampa, Florida.

I consider myself as a young adult in transition: always learning and trying new things. I’m a marketer by profession, and a creative by heart. Lately, I’ve been enjoying taking care of my baby; reading about faith and psychology; journaling and writing poems (my first book Almost Sunset is out now); and going on daily sunset walks.

What is Magis?

Magis, an idea introduced by St. Ignatius of Loyola, refers to the relentless striving to choose rightly, become better, and to do more in order to honor, love, and glorify God.

Based on the Latin word for more, magis means being generous and selfless in service, giving oneself totally to God – be it one’s self, work, or relationships – without reserve. In practice, magis looks like courageous and just action, grounded in truth and mercy. And this is only possible through a persevering, unconquerable hope, knowing that God always provides, heals, and forgives whom He loves.

When we think of the word magis, it also invokes the image of the three wise men who followed the north star to find the Savior born. In the same manner, we are called to run with haste towards Jesus. We come to Him bearing gifts of our own, and the best that we could give Him is our hearts ready to receive and serve Him.

Why do we need to practice magis?

We live in a world today that is hungry for hope. We need purpose. We need truth. Most of all, we need love.

Everlasting, persistent, and unconditional love is found only in God. The Bible reveals that it is He who created us who alone defines our value. And God, He chooses to call us His beloved. This is why Christians have abounding peace, joy, and hope: We joyfully proclaim that God loves us so much that even when we were sinners and knew not of Him, He gave His only Son to redeem us and make us whole.

Having come to know this love, we pursue God as the ultimate prize of our life. We enjoy His Presence everyday as He gives Himself to us through His Son Jesus and His Holy Spirit. Catholics believe that when we accept the Eucharist, we are united with God. We pray for Jesus to increase in us that we may grow to bear the likeness of Christ in our daily thoughts, intentions, and actions.

This patient effort to seek, find, and offer more of ourselves to God is the essence of magis. By living out our faith in the world and making a sincere, focused effort to get better at it everyday, we make the image of Christ visible to the world. We draw people near to God, near to Love Himself.

When we allow God to enter our daily lives, He takes what we give and works His miracles even in what seems the most ordinary of moments. He moves mountains. He parts the seas. He multiplies the bread. In our weakness, God shows His strength. He abounds in majesty.

What can I find in the Magis Catholic blog?

My hope is that this blog may become a source of inspiration and a channel for conversation among the young faithful. As we progress in our relationships, careers, and personal goals, I believe that our diverse stories and spiritual insights can beautifully illustrate how God works through our lives when our hearts are open to His will.