How can one incorporate Catholicism in their day as a busy mom? How can someone be sure to pray the rosary, read the Bible, and try to have time to listen to God’s voice in their day?
These were questions that I wrestled with for a long time. I wanted to be a better Catholic, because I knew that it would make me a better mom. I knew that being able to find the time to incorporate my faith in at least a rhythm, if not a fixed routine, would help me in this process.
Through trial and error, I found different strategies and tools that ultimately help me to incorporate my faith a little bit more every day.
Here are my two Catholicism non-negotiables for the day:
First, I started by nailing down my non negotiables. I chose these because I knew that even if the rest of my day went haywire, or unplanned, these two things would ground me, and create peace after finishing. Here are my top two ways to incorporate Catholicism in my day :
- Starting each morning with a morning offering to Our Lord
“Oh Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer Thee all my prayers, works, and sufferings of this day. In union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, in reparation for all my sins, for the intentions of all our associates, and in particular, for the intentions of Our Holy Father, the Pope.”
2. Praying the Rosary
Most of the time I try to pray it with my rosary and my own voice, but I will also use podcasts to help me stay focused, and to lead in me in the prayer.
This is my favorite podcast for the recitation of the Rosary.
Here are the other things I try to add in my day:
After I made my non negotiables, I thought about what seemed doable as a pregnant mom of two. What are ways to incorporate Catholicism as a busy mom?
I decided that there were two more things that didn’t seem unreasonable, and doable on most normal days.
- Reading the Bible.
Now, I have really tried hard to crack open the Good Book, but most of the time, I am only able to listen, while chasing kids with my phone in my pocket, or while cleaning. Fr. Mike Schmitz has a great podcast that is easy to follow along, even if you can’t completely focus the whole time. Each episode is about 20 minutes, so it is manageable.
Here is the link to the Bible in a Year Podcast.
2. I listen to some sort of religious music.
Again, I use Spotify. I really like the availability of Gregorian Chants, as well as Hymns, and other worship music.
Here is my favorite song to listen to, by Floriani, even if it is on repeat.
