Navigating how to live out your Catholic faith in today's modern world can be challenging. 🙏🏻

In a fast-paced, constantly changing world, it can sometimes feel difficult to stay grounded in your faith. But living out your Catholic faith authentically doesn't mean you have to retreat from the world. Instead, it’s about integrating your beliefs into every aspect of your daily life– it’s about being IN the world but not OF the world. 

Here are 10 practical ways to live out your Catholic faith boldly:

1️⃣ Begin and End Your Day with Prayer

Start and end each day with prayer. It can be as simple as thanking God for the gift of a new day and asking for His guidance and protection. At night, reflect on the day’s blessings and challenges, seeking His grace and mercy. I encourage you to make time for sustained prayer– aim for 30 minutes a day, where you can just sit and meditate on God’s Word, presence, or how He is working in your life. Learn how to pray a Holy Hour here if you want more ideas on how to spend your prayer time. 

2️⃣ Attend Mass Regularly

Make attending Mass a priority, not just on Sundays but also during the week, and on holy days of obligation. Being present in the Eucharist nourishes your soul and strengthens your faith, and we receive soo many graces in the Mass. 

3️⃣ Read Scripture Daily

Incorporate reading the Bible into your daily routine. Even if it’s just a few verses each day, immersing yourself in God's Word can provide guidance, comfort, and inspiration. If you need some guidance and inspiration check out this short bible study you can do on your own or in a small group with friends. 

4️⃣ Practice the Sacraments

Regularly participate in the sacraments, especially Confession and the Eucharist. These are profound encounters with Christ that cleanse, heal, and fortify you on your spiritual journey. Every great saint emphasizes this practice over and over.

5️⃣ Live Out the Corporal Works of Mercy + Tithe

Feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, visit the imprisoned, and bury the dead. Look for opportunities to serve those in need in your community both physically and financially. 

6️⃣ Engage in Spiritual Reading

Alongside scripture, read books by saints, theologians, and other spiritual writers. Their insights and experiences can deepen your understanding of the faith and inspire your spiritual growth. Just like you become most like the 5 people you hangout with, I think we can also be formed and become like the people we watch on TV, or listen to on a podcast, or read about. Choose to fill your mind, soul, and time with good and holy reading!

7️⃣ Join a Catholic Community

Become an active member of your parish or a small group in your community. Being part of a community provides support, fellowship, and opportunities to grow in your faith together. Even Jesus didn’t do His ministry and walk the life of faith alone– neither should you!

8️⃣ Witness Through Your Actions

Live in a way that reflects your faith in everyday interactions. Be kind, honest, and compassionate. Live a life that outwardly SHOWS that you are Catholic and are proud to be it. Share Catholic content on your IG story, invite friends to go to Mass with you, pray and fast regularly etc. Your actions can be a powerful testimony to your faith.

9️⃣ Evangelize with Love

Share your faith with others, not by preaching aggressively but through loving example and encouraging conversation. Be ready to explain the faith and hope that you have in Christ, always with respect and kindness. Be excited to share about how you’ve grown in your faith, how you have seen God work in your life, or how the sacraments have nourished you. Sharing your testimony, your story with others is so powerful. 

🔟 Stay Informed and Engaged

Stay informed about current events and issues from a Catholic perspective. Engage in social justice and advocacy in line with Church teachings, working towards a world that reflects the values of the Gospel. Our world now more than ever is pushing political agendas that do NOT reflect a Christian and Catholic moral life. Be informed about what the Church teaches, and how to stand up for it in your society.

Praying this inspired your journey of faith today, share it to inspire someone else to live out their Catholic beliefs more fully in today's world.