Daily Mass is a firm anchor — a sacrifice freely chosen, not merely a habit of devotion. The world’s challenges are real, and they press hard. That is precisely why prayer is not optional but essential. The Devil is not idle; he moves deliberately against everything we hold dear, and the greatest defense is the altar. Grace, received faithfully and daily, is what holds the line.
The Reyes Family
For months now, the Reyes family has been a quiet witness to faithful Catholic life. As a family of eight, they are impossible to miss — not simply because of their size, but because of the unmistakable reverence they carry into the pew. Through the outdoor Masses we have shared in recent months, something genuine has taken root: a community, bound not by convenience but by a common search for peace.
At the Sign of Peace, the Reyes family is unhurried. They turn to one another, offering a gentle kiss on both cheeks — a gesture both tender and deliberate. The peace exchanged at Mass is not merely a benevolent feeling for one’s neighbor, but the peace that flows from Christ Himself. Watching them, that truth becomes visible. In a sanctuary full of strangers, they have quietly become preachers without words — a living homily on the domestic church.
Until this past Friday, our interactions had been limited to the distribution of Holy Communion. That morning, the opportunity came to ask if a photograph might be taken. Carlos, the patriarch, graciously agreed. He shared that he and his wife Patricia are raising six children — three boys and three girls — a family built, as he put it, with God’s help…
and the glory of children is their parents.
Raising Holy Children
To guide your children in serving God, you must lead by example. Even as a single parent, it is possible to nurture a child’s faith without the presence of a second parent. Introducing children to God at a young age is essential for them to understand their purpose in life. In today’s world, a family must be firmly rooted in God to live a holy life. We are all created to serve one God, and until we find our way, we risk being misled by flawed influences. This is increasingly evident in public education, where children are exposed to matters that may not be suitable for their age. A child who is well-grounded in faith will develop the discernment to recognize truth and turn away from falsehoods. As parents, it is our responsibility to cultivate a strong relationship with God, providing our children with a solid foundation for their spiritual journey.
When the children were small, it became clear that nurturing their faith would require deliberate effort. Mike was fully invested in building the business, which meant much of the spiritual formation at home fell on me. There were moments of feeling overwhelmed — and that honesty matters, because perseverance through difficulty is its own form of witness.
Mike was largely supportive during those years. But when a season of searching led away from the Catholic Church and into several Protestant communities, the distance became apparent. Mike could not find his footing there. It was only upon returning to the Catholic faith — to the Mass, the sacraments, the fullness of what had always been home — that he stepped forward and committed to attending regularly. Sometimes the road back is what finally makes another person ready to walk it with you.
Grandparent’s Prayer
The prayer of a grandparent for their grandchildren is not a small thing. While the whole Church has the mission of interceding for all — especially for those who suffer, those who do not know how to pray or have lost their way in life — this duty falls particularly to those in positions of responsibility, such as parents, teachers, or priests. Although often hidden from the world, our intercessions are never hidden from God, who always hears those who cry to Him.
That prayer saturating a family is not metaphor. It is real spiritual warfare, and it matters eternally.
From his temple he heard my voice,
and my cry to him reached his ears
.
On Sharing a Birthday with Our Lady of Guadalupe
This is not a coincidence to be taken lightly. The feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated annually on December 12th, commemorating the wondrous events of December 1531. Our Lady appeared to an Indian convert named Juan Diego on December 9, 1531, and left a marvelous portrait of herself on his mantle — a miraculous image that has proved to be ageless, kept in the Basilica built in her honor.
Our Lady of Guadalupe is also known as patroness of the unborn, after appearing to Saint Juan Diego as a pregnant mother. In 1910, Our Lady of Guadalupe was declared Patroness of Latin America, and in 1945 Pope Pius XII declared her to be the Empress of all the Americas.
To share a birthday with such a feast day is a quiet sign of Our Lady’s maternal closeness. She is not distant — she is near, repeating what she said at Cana: “Do whatever He tells you” (Jn 2:5).
and saves the crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord rescues them from them all.
