The most wonderful time of the year will soon arrive! And with it, of course, comes the annual holiday shopping.

This year, Pietra Fitness wanted to share with you some of our favorite small Catholic businesses to help you find the perfect gift for your loved ones (or for yourself)-- gifts that encourage and inspire a healthier and holier life.

Plus, many of these businesses were kind enough to share a special discount code with the Pietra Fitness Community.

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Gifts for Nutrition

Veritas Fitness Meal Prep Program

Nutrition plays a vital role in your health and fitness journey. Owner of Veritas Fitness and a certified health coach with the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, Kim Brockway offers a weekly meal prep program that makes eating nutritious foods easy, delicious, and affordable.

Each month you will receive four meal plans with five meals each, a guide to prepping each meal plan, grocery lists, bonus recipes and resources, and more! You can sign up for this membership program for 1 month, 3 months, or 12 months and are available in both physical or digital copies.

Sign up (yourself or a friend) for 25% off any membership using the code CHRISTMAS22.

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Holy Granola

Granola makes an excellent breakfast or pre-work snack; it provides your body with essential protein, vitamins, and long lasting energy. The only thing better? Eating granola that supports a monastery.

“Holy Granola” is made Benedictine Monks and would make a delicious stocking stuffer or grab bag gift. This tasty treat consists of all natural ingredients and will stay fresh in their bag for 2-3 months.

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Sacred Heart Tea Company

The Sacred Heart Tea Company sells luxury loose leaf teas based on the lives of the saints. This family-owned business invites you to moments of simplicity and peace through a cup of their delicious high-quality tea.

Tea also provides a healthier alternative to coffee, ensures adequate hydration, and offers a variety of benefits for your body depending on the type of tea. Sacred Heart tea blends like the Saint Augustine blend would make an effective pre- and post-workout drink.

Use PIETRAFITNESS10 is good for 10% off each item ordered. Good through December 15th, 2022

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Gifts to Beautify Your Space

Corda Candles

The husband and wife team at Corda Candles creates handcrafted candles with scents inspired by the saints and our Catholic faith.

Unlike many candles on the market today, Corda Candles are free of toxins, pesticides, and GMOs. Each candle is made from all-natural coconut wax and its fragrance comes from safe essential or natural oils. Corda Candles bring faith into ordinary, everyday moments.

Use the code PIETRA15 for 15% off your order, through December 31.

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Mother & Home Market

Mother & Home is a worldwide community of women seeking to live for Christ and faithfully living out their vocations both in and out of the home. In addition, the Mother & Home Market curates theologically-rich, heirloom-quality goods and gifts for Catholic families from over 30 small Catholic businesses.

Find a gift that will bring beauty and light to any space from the Mother & Home Market. Use the code PIETRA10 for the Pietra Fitness Community to receive 10% off their order until 12/31.‍

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Gifts to Wear During Your Workout

Totally Catholic Tees

Totally Catholic Tees has been in the t-shirt business for almost 30 years (founded in 1993). This family owned and operated business provides quality Catholic tees for everyone to wear and share in The New Evangelization.

They now offer athletic tees and tank tops that will not only provide you comfort during your workout but will also serve as a reminder of your Catholic faith.

You can use the codes ADVENT22 for 30% off during 11/25-11/28 and CHRISTMAS22 for 15% off storewide 12/2-12/13.

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Sock Religious

Sock Religious offers fun and faith-inspired socks, apparel, and accessories. Grab a pair of socks (perhaps with one of these athletic saints on it) or a sticker for your water bottle to inspire and motivate your workout. Check out their full collection of products here.‍

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Gifts to Encourage Healthy Living

The Sunshine Principle

In The Sunshine Principle: A Radically Simple Guide To Natural Catholic Healing, author and Pietra Fitness Instructor-in-Training Melody Lyons shares her own story of healing, as well as practical guides to natural healing and wellness as a Catholic.

The Sunshine Principle helps you approach natural health care without falling into the errors of New Age earth and body worship, and embrace God’s plan for wholeness. It’s a must read for people who want to become healthier in body, mind, and spirit.

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Pietra Fitness' DVD and/or Gift Subscription

Give the gift of a faith-centered fitness program with Pietra Fitness DVDs or a subscription to our Pietra Fitness Online Studio. Each Pietra Fitness class combines strengthening exercises and Christian prayer, allowing you to glorify God through your body.

Along with branded workout apparel and accessories, the Pietra Fitness shop also offers workout DVDs for every fitness level and gift subscriptions for 3-month or 1 year access to our online studio.

Use the code ADVENT2022 to receive 20% off everything in our shop until December 31st. ‍

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Gifts to Help You Feel Your Best After Your Workout

Rooted for Good Skincare

The importance of good skincare goes beyond your appearance. As your largest organ, the health of your skin affects your overall health so having an intentional skincare routine, especially in the cold weather months, is essential.

Rooted for Good Skincare sells and hand makes all natural skincare and essential oil products to help keep your skin and body healthy and beautiful.

This Soak Scrub Gift Bundle which includes soothing bath soaks, a revitalizing sugar scrub, and fresh-scented handmade soap will help your body wind down after a workout.

Ten percent of every sale goes to help those in need in developing countries! So not only is it good for you, it’s good for others too. Use the code Pietra15 for 15% off your order from Rooted for Good Skincare.

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Meghan Ashley Styling

As Temples of the Holy Spirit, how we adorn our bodies is just as important as what we put in it and how we use it which is why you need clothes that help you feel beautiful.

Catholic Stylist Meghan Ashley wants to help you build a wardrobe that inspires confidence. She offers video Styling Sessions, texting for style advice, and handpicked recommendations from your closet to Style Club members, as well as a Personal Style Analysis to help you figure out and execute your best style.

Meghan has even written a book, The Catholic Wardrobe: Musings from a Personal Stylist. It is a practical guide to transform your closet filled with the beauty and tradition from our rich culture as Catholic woman.

Use the discount code PIETRA at checkout to receive 15% off Club Membership OR the Personal Style Analysis Guide.‍

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Gifts for Active + Faithful Families

The Catholic Woodworker

The Catholic Woodworker creates beautiful and durable gifts that equip families for spiritual battle. Their crucifixes and home altars will adorn your space and serve as visuals for meditation during times of prayer, and their wood and paracord rosaries would make unique gifts, particularly for the men in your life.

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Outrageous Mom

Seeing a need in the Catholic marketplace for unique gift items, OutrageousMom created beautiful Marian scarves, dolls, home and baby items that the whole family will love.

All of the Mary scarves are a devotion to Our Lady, placing the wearer under her mantle. It also gives added protection with a Miraculous Medal sewn on the hem of each design. The hand-knitted dolls and rattles, as well as bibs and blankets will inspire a love in your children for the Holy Family in even the youngest children.

Shop OutrageousMom on Etsy using the code PIETRASHOP15 for 15% off from 11/14 through Black Friday.

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Pietra Fitness Kids!

Pietra Fitness offers faith-based fitness classes for kids grades K-8 through our online studio and physical resources to be used in school or at home.

When a family joins the Pietra Fitness Online Studio, you’ll not only gain access to our entire collection of classes, your kids will also gain access to Pietra Fitness KIDS classes. Like other Pietra Fitness classes, Pietra Fitness KIDS combines Christian meditation and physical exercise to help children calm their minds, relieve stress, improve their flexibility, balance, and strength,  and most importantly, increase their faith.

Sign up for your 14 day free trial here.

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Pregnancy and childbirth are some of the most physically demanding processes a woman can go through. It takes a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to bring a new life into the world. 

After this intensive process, you have a beautiful baby to nurture and love, and a body in need of rest. 

Postnatal exercises can help speed up recovery from labor, and support mama’s health and wellbeing during this new season in a variety of ways:

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Strengthen and tone abdominal muscles

During pregnancy, your uterus expands putting pressure on your abdominal muscles. Over the nine months, these muscles continue to stretch and grow weaker. Many women may even suffer from Diastasis recti, in which your abdominal muscles separate. 

Your core muscles, particularly your abdominal muscles, are responsible for so much of your daily movement and function. So after childbirth, women must focus on healing this area of their bodies to avoid long-term pain and difficulty. 

Exercise can help manage and heal the separation, strengthen your pelvic floor, and restore these vital muscles to full health.

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Improves posture

The stretching of your abdominal muscles, as well as the loosening of your joints and ligaments to accommodate a growing baby during, also affects your posture. Hunching over to breastfeed, lifting infants, and carrying toddlers on your hips can cause slumped shoulders and a tucked under tailbone and bottom. 

This “postpartum posture” can cause pain in your neck, hip, and back, as well as problems with your balance and even digestion. 

Exercise can help correct your alignment and improve your overall health.

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Boosts energy

What mama doesn’t need an energy boost? While chugging your sixth cup of coffee won’t produce the energy levels needed to thrive as a new mom, exercise can help.

Contrary to popular belief, prolonged physical inactivity will actually contribute to fatigue rather than combat it; while regular exercise will give you more energy rather than deplete it.

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Improves Mental Health

Exercising contributes to better mental health and feelings of overall well being and this is especially true during this beautiful but challenging new season. Welcoming a new child into the world can also come with negative emotions like fear, uncertainty, anxiety, depression, and sadness that affect both mother and her new baby. 

Physical activity releases endorphins which can help women cope with these negative emotions. Some research has even found that postnatal exercise may help prevent or manage postpartum depression.¹

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Promotes better sleep

While postnatal exercise won’t help your little one sleep through the night, it can help ensure you get a decent night’s sleep. 

Studies have shown that regular exercise makes it easier to fall asleep at night and can help give you better quality of sleep (yes, even in that tricky newborn).²

A Note about Postnatal Exercise: Many women can begin exercising again between 6-8 weeks postpartum; however, your birth experience may affect this timeframe. Please follow the instructions of your doctor and start gently. 

‍Your body undergoes major changes during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum; starting slowly will reduce your risk of pain or injury. 

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Pietra Fitness now offers postnatal fitness classes specifically to care for your postpartum body and help you become the mother you were made to be. 

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Dr. Jillian Stecklein, PT, DPT, a recommended provider on My Catholic Doctor specializing in women’s health, will walk you through postpartum care in a series of informational videos. This resource can accompany you throughout your pregnancy and in the early days of your child’s life. 

Then with the clearance from your doctor, you can begin our postnatal fitness series with exercises that will gently realign your spine, strengthen your back, abs, and pelvic muscles, and aid in relaxation, stress management, and spiritual and emotional well-being during this exciting time. 

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Sign up for your free trial today.

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Francesca LaRosa, a Catholic composer and singer/songwriter, who desires to glorify the Lord and serve His Church through her ministry. Her prayerful music, particularly her Psalms project, brings the listeners in an encounter with Jesus Christ, the Word of God Himself.

‍Francesca's beautiful music will be featured in Pietra Fitness’ forthcoming prenatal video fitness series. We had the pleasure to interview Francesca to help you get to know the woman behind the music. 

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Tell us a little about yourself. How did you get into music and get started with your ministry?

I am a Catholic composer, and I write music for word-for-word Psalms to be used during the liturgy. I have been setting the Psalms to music through deep discernment and prayer. I write a lot of those with my mom and my husband, and I really enjoy serving the Lord in that way.

I grew up in Indianapolis and started playing the piano when I was four. When I was nine, I began to play the piano with my dad at Mass. We had a family worship band–my sisters would sing, my dad and uncle played guitar, I played piano, my brothers and cousins ran sound, and my aunt played bass. We always loved to worship the Lord together as a family.

I studied music education at Ball State University; I thought I was going to be a teacher or a missionary after graduating, but instead, I was offered the job as music director at the parish where I grew up. It was such an honor to serve there for 3 ½ years before feeling called to pursue my music.

I thought 2020 was going to be my year to really pursue my music dream (laughs). I was leading a girls’ choir for the archdiocese when the pandemic hit and all of that stopped. During that time my husband and I began dealing with infertility, and I wasn’t really able to write or sing anymore. I stopped writing lyrics; I was really struggling.

It was a really difficult time for me. I started composing instrumental piano pieces because I wanted to help people overcome their own suffering. I started an instrumental piano channel called ‘Keys of Peace,’ where I wrote songs for people battling cancer, people struggling with infertility, people struggling with miscarriage, people struggling to just hang on. I wrote a piano song everyday and prayed for these people—that was my ministry.

I was super honored that my Keys of Peace ministry got taken up by the Hallow app and Pietra Fitness, and I was amazed at how the Lord could work through my own suffering. Praying through [my suffering] and focusing on other people in my brokenness helped me out of that difficult time and led me into my Psalm ministry. I started releasing my Psalms every week, and now I compose music full-time.

I’m incredibly blessed that my husband is a music producer, and together, we write and create music for the Church. Doing ministry together as a couple is such a blessing!

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What drew you to the Psalms? How did you get started with that particular project in your music? 

I grew up singing at Mass, and we always used the Psalm of the day. Some of these were word-for-word from the Lectionary, but starting in high school, my parish really started using the exact Psalm of the day, and many times it was in chanted-verse form.

As beautiful as they were, I had never been introduced to chant before, so as a composer my mom told me “I think you can write one of these.” I said: “I don’t know how to write a Psalm. I write songs not Psalms.”

She told me to close my eyes, and she began reading the Scripture over my hands and praying over me. Through her prayer I heard these melodies of how these psalms would go.

I really feel like they are melodies from heaven. I write them with metered verses but also with chanted verses as well; I am writing my own chant now. I have really fallen in love with the Psalms because they hit on every single human emotion. It’s such a beautiful chapter of the Bible, and I especially love it because Jesus prayed the Psalms. I find it to be a powerful experience to say the same prayers as our Lord.

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How has praying the Psalms helped your spiritual life? 

As Catholics we hear the scriptures at Mass but I feel like I don’t know the scriptures that well. I feel like I know music well but I never felt like I knew the Word of God.

I have friends who know the Bible by heart who can verbalize different chapters of the Bible at a moment’s notice; they quote Scripture, love Scripture, and live it. I desire that for myself. To dive into the Scriptures with my mom has been a brand new, powerful experience for me.

I love being Catholic because I deeply love the gift of the Holy Eucharist. Another gift from heaven is God’s Word - Scripture. I want to focus on both gifts because Jesus is the Word made flesh. I think we need to know it better.

We have a lot of resources for learning and knowing Scripture in 2022, like the Bible in a Year Podcast with Fr. Mike Schmitz; I think we are finding ways to live out Scripture in a deeper way, and to be a part of that is such an honor.

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Do you have a favorite Psalm?

I don’t want to be cliché and say Psalm 91, but it’s so powerful to me: ‘Be with me Lord when I am in trouble – You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shade of the Almighty, Say to the LORD, ‘My refuge, my rock, my God in whom I trust’. It’s such a powerful passage the Lord has given us– to think about being with Him when I am in trouble… That’s so comforting. 

I also love Psalm 23: The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I shall want and Psalm 51: Create in me a clean heart, O God. Have mercy on me , O God in your goodness in your compassion wipe out my offense.

I love so many of them. One of my favorites is Psalm 18: I love you Lord my strength. That one is like a love story to me. There’s not a lot of Psalms that say “I love you Lord”; many ask for help in times of struggle! But to go back to the Lord and say I love you…I like that one a lot. 

Those are the ones that stick out to me.

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‍Where can people find you and your music online?

You can check out my music on Youtube and Spotify. It is also available on my website along with sheet music if you are a musician or a singer. You can also support my and my husband’s mission on Patreon. 

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Come pray with Francesca LaRosa’s beautiful and peaceful music in our soon-to-be released prenatal fitness series. 

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Saints throughout the centuries have spoken on the power of Our Lady’s intercession and the importance of praying the rosary. 

Many Catholics find it easy to say the prayers of the Rosary, but many find it difficult to actually meditate on these great mysteries of our faith while doing so. 

Reading the Scripture associated with each decade can help but using Ignatian Meditation can allow you delve even deeper into this timeless prayer. 

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Ignatian Meditation takes its name from St. Ignatius of Loyola–founder of the Jesuits and a great spiritual master of the Church. 

Ignatian Meditation, also known as Imaginative Prayer, engages the mind and heart to enter more fully into prayer and conversation with God. It helps make the scriptures come alive and facilitates a personal encounter with the Lord. 

It can also help you meditate on the mysteries of the Rosary. You can use Ignatian Meditation to pray with a single mystery of the Rosary or with all five decades. It is also a unique way to pray with your family or small group. 

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Steps to Ignatian Meditation 

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‍Become aware of the presence of God

Begin your prayer by recognizing God’s presence within you (and in the Eucharist if you decide to pray using this method during Adoration). Offer this time to Him and invite the Holy Spirit to guide your mind and heart during this time of prayer. 

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‍Put it in Context

Each mystery of the rosary focuses on an event in the life of Jesus, many of which include His Blessed Mother. Read the scripture passage associated with each mystery to once again familiarize yourself with the event.

Here are the scripture passages for the Rosary:

‍The Joyful Mysteries–

The Annunciation: Luke 1: 26-38
The Visitation: Luke 1: 39-45; 56
The Nativity: Luke 2: 6-7
The Presentation: Luke 2: 22-24
The Finding in the Temple: Luke 2: 41-52

‍The Luminous Mysteries–
The Baptism of Jesus: Matthew 3: 13-17, Mark 1: 9-11, or Luke 3: 21-22
The Wedding at Cana: John 2: 1-11
The Proclamation of the Kingdom of Heaven: This mystery encompasses many passages in the Gospels, giving you many options to choose from. Some good passages to start with are Matthew 9:18-26, Mark 2:1-12 or Luke 5:1-11
The Transfiguration: Matthew 17: 1-9
The Institution of the Eucharist: Matthew 26: 19; 26-30, Mark 14: 22-26, or Luke 22: 14-20

The Sorrowful Mysteries–
The Agony in the Garden: Matthew 26: 36-46, Mark 14: 32-42, or Luke 22: 39-46
The Scourging at the Pillar: Mark 15: 11-15
The Crowning with Thorns: Matthew 27: 27-31 or Mark 15: 16-20
The Carrying of the Cross: Matthew 27: 32-34, Mark 15: 21-23, Luke 23: 26-32, or John 19: 16-17
The Crucifixion and death of Jesus on the Cross: Matthew 27: 35-61, Mark 15: 24-47, Luke 23: 32-56, or John 19: 16-42

The Glorious Mysteries–
The Resurrection: Matthew : 1-10, Mark 16: 1-14, Luke 24: 1-12, John 20: 1-20
The Ascension: Matthew 28: 16-20, Luke 24: 45-53, or Acts 1: (1-) 9-12
The Descent of the Holy Spirit: Acts 1: 1-14 or Acts 2: 1-4
The Assumption of Mary: Luke 1: 26-33
The Crowning of Mary as Queen of Heaven and earth: Revelation 12: 1-6

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Place yourself in the scene

After reading through the passage once or twice, close your eyes and imagine the scene. Spend time experiencing this scene either by placing yourself in the shoes of one of the characters or by placing yourself in the story. 

“Use” your five senses. What do you see, hear, taste, smell, and touch in this place? 

Who is there? What are they doing? How do they interact with one another and with you? 

St. Ignatius encourages us to speak to one of the characters in the scene, what do they say?

Then consider how you feel as you pray with this passage. Are you filled with feelings of love or gratitude? Do you feel sorrow or some fear? Bring these feelings to the Lord.

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‍Let God surprise you 

Don’t go into this time of prayer with any agenda; rather, open your mind and heart to hear whatever God wants you to hear.

During your meditation, don’t worry about following the scene exactly as it plays out in Scripture; if you feel yourself being pulled in a particular direction or being drawn to stay longer in a particular moment, follow that. Trust the Holy Spirit to guide you where you need to go. 

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‍Talk to God about your experience

Speak with Christ about whatever movements of the heart have occurred. Ask Him what He wants you to take away from this meditation. Then hold these thoughts and God’s words to you in your heart as you begin praying the decade. 

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As we celebrate the Most Holy Rosary during this month of October, consider making the time to contemplate each mystery of the Rosary using Ignatian Meditation. Or, try our new Rosary series where each class is a meditation on a particular aspect of the Rosary.

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Your body goes through a lot of changes throughout the nine months of your pregnancy–from the first trimester morning sickness to the emerging baby bump in the second to the Braxton Hicks Contractions in the third.

Pregnancy might seem like the time to sit back and relax—you feel fatigued, your back aches, and putting shoes on alone feels like an Olympic sport. 

But in most pregnancies, sitting around won’t help. In fact, The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week during a healthy pregnancy, as it offers some amazing benefits for both you and your little one. 

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Improves your mood

Women today are probably aware of the warning signs of postpartum depression and anxiety but did you know women are also susceptible to these conditions during a pregnancy? 

Antenatal depression and anxiety are common with about 10% of women experiencing an increase in these feelings while expecting. 

Exercise, of course, can help improve your mental and emotional health by releasing endorphins and diminishing stress. Research has shown that aerobic exercise during pregnancy helped reduce depressive symptoms in first-time moms. ¹

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Increases energy levels

Whether it's the first trimester fatigue or pregnancy-induced insomnia, expecting women will often report feeling tired or sluggish. Gentle to moderate exercise can help improve your energy levels during the day as well as your quality of sleep, giving you the rest your body needs. 

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Reduces the risk of pregnancy complications

Exercising during pregnancy can help reduce the risk of developing complications like Gestational diabetes and Pre-eclampsia, which can cause premature birth and other health issues for you and your baby. 

Gestational diabetes, or high glucose levels, is the most common complication you face during pregnancy. Exercise helps your muscle cells use more of your body’s glucose and can help make your body more sensitive to insulin, keeping your blood sugar levels lower for a longer time. 

However, if you do develop Gestational diabetes, exercise can help regulate your blood sugar levels and manage your symptoms. 

Exercise can also help reduce your risk of Pre-eclampsia by lowering blood pressure.

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Eases pain and discomfort

Pregnant women become well acquainted with all of the aches and pains that come with growing a baby. Hormones, a change in posture, and loosening ligaments cause pain in your lower back and pelvis that can last for several months during your pregnancy. Incorporating gentle movements and exercise can help manage your discomfort. 

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Prepares you for labor

Exercise can help prepare you to undergo the physically intensive challenge of labor and delivery by strengthening your muscles, improving your stamina, and enhancing your heart health. Studies have also shown that regular exercise during pregnancy can even reduce the need for a cesarean section. ²

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Benefits for Baby

Prenatal exercise is not only good for you, Mama– it’s good for your baby too. Exercise during pregnancy: 

-encourages full-term delivery

-normalizes birth sizes 

-stimulates healthy growth throughout childhood

-decreases risk for chronic illness in both child and mother ³

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Pietra Fitness Online Studio now offers pregnancy resources and prenatal and postnatal fitness classes to help keep you and your baby happy and healthy. 

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Our first resource is a series of informational videos from Dr. Jillian Stecklein, PT, DPT, a recommended provider on My Catholic Doctor who specializes in women’s health. Dr. Stecklein will walk you through the birthing journey, nutritional needs during pregnancy, how to activate the pelvic floor, exercise considerations for pregnancy, postpartum care and more. 

Our new prenatal classes were designed to assist moms to feel comfortable in their changing bodies and help improve the nervous system by calming the mind and nervous system, which will aid in pain management during labor. 

The classes will also aid in building stamina and strength, as well as help in balancing changing hormones and reducing stress. And of course, as in all of our classes, it includes prayer and Scripture readings that will nurture your soul during this beautiful season. 

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‍Sign up and get started today!

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As Christians, we are called to live an integrated life, a life in which our whole selves–body, mind, and spirit–glorify God. 

The saints knew this and lived it well. They also knew the challenges that came with it.

Sometimes it will feel easier to give into idleness and mediocrity. Sometimes scrolling social media or binge-watching television will seem more alluring than daily prayer or working out.  

But before you give into the temptation to accept less than what God made you for, particularly in your fitness journey, look to the words and examples of your heavenly friends. 

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"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body." -St. Paul in his Letter to the Corinthians

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“Man, though made of body and soul, is a unity. Through his very bodily condition he sums up in himself the elements of the material world. Through him they are thus brought to their highest perfection and can raise their voice in praise freely given to the Creator. For this reason man may not despise his bodily life. Rather he is obliged to regard his body as good and to hold it in honor since God has created it and will raise it up on the last day.” 

–Pope Saint Paul VI 

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“The body, in fact, and only the body, is capable of making visible what is invisible: the spiritual and the divine. It has been created to transfer into the visible reality of the world, the mystery hidden from eternity in God, and thus to be a sign of it”

 –Pope Saint John Paul the Great 

“Remember that bodily exercise, when it is well ordered, as I have said, is also prayer by means of which you can please God our Lord.”
–St. Ignatius of Loyola 

Do everything for love. That way there are no little things. Everything is big. 

–St. Josemaria Escriva

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“Ad maiorem Dei gloriam—All for the greater glory of God.” 

–St. Ignatius of Loyola

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“Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring.” 

–St. Catherine of Siena

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"I can do all things in Him who strengthens me." 

–Saint Paul in his letter to the Philippians

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“Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them—every day begin the task anew.” 

–St. Francis de Sales

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“Let us love God, but let it be with the strength of our arms and with the sweat of our brows…” –St. Vincent de Paul

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When the slow summer months turn to Back-to-School Night and Teacher Conferences, kids’ assignments and extracurriculars, new work deadlines and house projects, it’s easy to feel scattered, overwhelmed, and even burnt out.

Many parents struggle with establishing a rhythm and routine to help their families actually thrive throughout the school year.

Creating a Rule of Life for your family will allow you to live a life of peace and connection, even during the busiest seasons.

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The concept of a Rule of Life originated with the Father of Western Monasticism –St. Benedict. St. Benedict wanted his followers to live a balanced life of prayer and work (“Ora et Labora”) because he believed that was the key to holiness.

For more than 1,000 years, the Rule of St. Benedict has provided structure to those living in monasteries by creating a rhythm of work, prayer, and recreation. It has also served as a model for other religious communities in how they order their day to fully live out their calling.

However, a Rule of Life is more than a schedule. It describes a community’s spirituality and purpose, helps establish priorities, and sets the standards for daily tasks.

Having a Rule of Life isn’t just beneficial for those called to life in a monastery. Lay individuals and families can also benefit from this traditional Christian tool.

Creating a Rule of Life as a Catholic family helps you order your days toward God, and through this order brings freedom and peace to a home.

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Creating Your Family’s Rule of Life 

Pray to the Holy Spirit

Before you create your Rule of Life, invite the Holy Spirit to guide you in this process. Remember, you are creating more than just an efficient schedule for your family, you are responding to God’s call for your life. Ask for the grace to do this wholeheartedly.  

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Establish your Fundamental Principles

Before you dig into the details that make up your day-to-day life, you will first need to understand your family’s core values. Some families may refer to this as their mission or vision statement, and it will help guide you in the next stages of creating your Rule.

Although every Catholic family shares the universal call to holiness, no Catholic family will look exactly the same in their pursuit of this end. Creating a family mission statement will help you clarify your family’s unique call.

What matters most to you and your family? What kind of family do you want to be? What goals do you have as a unit? What makes your family special?

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Reflect on your Vocation

In A Mother’s Rule of Life, author Holly Pierlot reflected on the duties of her vocation as a wife and mother and created a routine based on what she calls the “Five P’s.”

The Five P’s focus on five major priorities of married life (in order of importance): Prayer, Person, Partner, Parent, Provider.

The Five P’s will guide you through the responsibilities and obligations of your vocation. Below you will find questions to consider when creating your rule. Jot down the answers for later reference.

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1. Prayer (Relationship with God): We were made for relationship with our Heavenly Father. However, our relationship to God often suffers when life gets hectic; instead of putting God above everything else, we tend to put everything else before God. Making time for prayer is essential for the Christian life.  What types of prayer should you include in your day/week? (Of course, as a Catholic, you should include weekly mass and regular confession, as well as some form of daily prayer). When is the best time for you to pray as an individual and as a family? Are there any natural lulls in your day that would allow for uninterrupted personal prayer?
2. Person (Relationship with yourself): Have you heard the saying: “You can’t pour from an empty cup?” After our relationship with God, we need to prioritize taking care of our own physical, mental, and emotional needs so we can best love and serve those around us. How much sleep do you need to get each night? When do you plan to exercise? What basic hygiene tasks are needed each day? When can you engage in your hobbies or spend time with friends?
3. Partner (Relationship with your spouse): Next, you need to prioritize your marriage. If you are called to this vocation, you are tasked with a sacred duty–to help your spouse get to heaven. Your marriage also acts as a building block for your family. The stronger your marriage, the stronger your foundation. You need to intentionally work to build it up. When and how can you connect with your spouse each day? Is there a regular time each week for date night? What little things can you do to help your spouse with his/her tasks? What does your marriage need to thrive?
4. Parent (Relationship with your children): If you have children, consider their physical and spiritual needs and how you are called to care for them. If your kids are old enough, invite them to participate in this brainstorming activity alongside you. How much sleep do they need each day? What basic hygiene tasks do they need to accomplish? What do your children need to do for school or extracurriculars, hobbies and exercise? What do they need to grow in their relationship with God through prayer and the sacraments? When and how can you spend intentional time with your kids?
5. Provider (Relationship with your work, both in and out of the home): Whether you work inside or outside the home, you act as a provider for your family. What are your duties to your home? To your employer and job? What can you do better to keep your home organized? What financial goals are you working toward? How can you be good stewards of what God has given you? While this area is probably the most time consuming, it’s important to note that it lands at the bottom of the list of priorities. When scheduling your tasks for each day, keep your priorities in mind and keep first things first.

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Write it Down

Now that you have a full list of your priorities and necessary tasks, you need to set aside time each day to complete them.

Some families thrive on using a block schedule to organize their days, while other families might use their Rule to create a less formal daily to-do list. Do what works best for you.

Be realistic in creating your Rule and setting your schedule. If you plan your prayer time for 6:00am and you have a difficult time getting up until 7:00, you might find yourself failing to maintain this habit.

Don’t create a Rule for your ideal persona, rather create a realistic one that helps you be the best version of yourself.

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Be Flexible

Remember that your Rule is there to serve you. It exists to help guide your days, not dictate them. Leave room for spontaneity and growth.

Your Rule of Life will not be a fixed document, but one that changes with you as your season of life changes. Revisit your Rule often and revise as necessary.

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After Jesus, Mary was the most important person to ever live.

The Catholic Church has always revered Mary and recognized her importance in the lives of its people. It has even elevated four teachings on Mary to the status of dogma, or a divinely inspired teaching. These four dogmas emphasize Mary’s personal relationship to God and her essential role in Salvation History.

But why were these teachings so important that the Church proclaimed them as Dogmas? While these teachings may seem to focus solely on the identity of Mary, they actually help us understand important truths about the identity of Christ Himself. 

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “What the Catholic faith believes about Mary is based on what it believes about Christ, and what it teaches about Mary illumines in turn its faith in Christ” (487).

So what are the four Marian Dogmas of the Catholic Church? Let’s take a look. 

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Divine Motherhood

The first Marian Dogma identifies Mary as the Mother of God, or Theotokos, a Greek word meaning “God-bearer.”

This title went uncontested for the first centuries of the Church not only because it has scriptural evidence (Luke 1:43) but also because it follows logically from the acknowledgment of Christ’s divinity. Mothers do not give birth to a “nature,” but rather a person; therefore, if Mary is Jesus’ mother and Jesus is God, then Mary is the Mother of God. 

The Council at Ephesus proclaimed this dogma in 431 primarily as a response to the Nestorian heresy that casted doubt on Jesus’ dual natures as both fully God and fully Man. This teaching plays an integral part in christological dogma as it affirms Jesus’s identity through the recognition of his mother. 

Through her Divine Motherhood, Mary lovingly cooperated in the salivic work of her Son. For this reason, the Catechism writes, “she is a mother to us in the order of grace” (968). Not only did she become the Mother of God, but she also became the Mother of the Church and of each one of us.

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Perpetual Virginity

The second Marian Dogma states that Mary is “Ever-Virgin.”

Mary’s virginity before the birth of Christ is clearly stated in Scripture (see Luke 1:26-27) and helped to clarify Jesus’ role as the long-awaited Messiah, foreshadowed by the prophet Isiah: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel” (7:14). Having a virgin conceive and bear a child, an ordinarily impossible task, magnifies God’s glory in the Incarnation. 

However, the Church also believes that Mary maintained her virginity even after Christ’s birth.

Catholic biblical scholars believe that Mary had taken a vow of virginity before the Annunciation and advocate that she would have kept this vow even after giving birth to Jesus. Her virginity is seen as more than a physical, bodily reality; it also expresses her interior reality–singularly consecrated to God.

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Immaculate Conception

The third dogma recognizes Mary as “without-sin.”

The teaching of the Immaculate Conception often confuses people, including Catholics. While some mistakenly believe this teaching speaks about Jesus’ conception, it actually focuses on Mary’s conception.

The Church believes that Mary was preserved from the stain of original sin even from the moment of her conception in her mother’s womb. The angel Gabriel’s greeting at the Annunciation affirms this belief: “Hail, Full of Grace…” Gabriel calling Mary by this title was not a promise of the future, but a recognition of this unique gift already given. 

It’s not that Mary didn’t need a Savior. In the Magnificat, she clearly states that her “spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” However, unlike the rest of humanity, who received salvation after Christ’s death, Mary received the fruit of redemption by way of anticipation. 

God preemptively gave her the grace merited from Christ’s death and resurrection, in order for Mary to give her fiat–her free and total yes– and take on her role as the Mother of God. 

The dogma of the Immaculate Conception is one of the two times in Church History that the Pope has invoked Papal Infallibility, further emphasizing its importance. 

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The Assumption

‍This month, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption and its status as a Holy Day of Obligation should clue us in to its great importance. In fact, this dogma was the only other instance in which a pope has invoked Papal Infallibility.. 

Unlike our departed brothers and sisters, whose bodies and souls separated at the moment of death, the Church teaches that both Mary’s body and soul were brought to heaven at the end of her earthly life. 

The act of God assuming people into heaven does have Scriptural evidence (see: Enoich in Hebrew 11:5 and Elijah in 2 Kings) and the tradition of Mary’s Assumption dates back to the earliest Christians. 

The Church sees this great act of grace as a consequence of Mary’s Divine Motherhood and her Immaculate Conception. If death as we know it resulted from original sin, it makes sense that God would spare Mary, conceived without sin, from this fate. 

However, this dogma also emphasizes an important teaching for the faithful–the resurrection of the body. We can take comfort and find hope in Mary’s Assumption because it foreshadows what God will do for all of the faithful—Body and Soul rejoined in Heaven.

Like in all things, the Blessed Mother points us to her Son. Through knowing her, we can more deeply know Jesus. 

‍We at Pietra Fitness have a great devotion to Mary and her Immaculate Heart. We invite you to join us in following her example as a temple of the Holy Spirit and in doing so, grow closer to Christ. 

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