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Six years ago today, I was Confirmed. And honestly? I haven't stopped talking about it since. I find it ironic, because June 8 is National Best Friend's Day. And the Holy Spirit, on that day, became my best friend. The Father is, well, my Father. Jesus is my Beloved. And the Holy Spirit is my best friend. When one is Confirmed, they are called to evangelization. I like to tell my kids on Confirmation retreats that they have been given a special mission. The Holy Spirit has a mission for each of them, and a way that they are speciically called to evangelize. So in my case, when I was Confirmed, I didn't really know what my mission was. I loved Jesus, and I loved talking about Jesus, but I didn't know what came next. But at the moment that my priest placed his hands on my head and said, "Recieve the Holy Spirit," I was filled with a physical warmth- like I was set on fire. A month later I went to my first Steubenville Conference. and I experienced another outpouring of the Holy Spirit- this time through the gift of tears.  Since then, He’s continued to move in ways I never expected: through tears, joy, healing, dreams, and moments of prayer I knew weren’t just from me. 9 months later, the pandemic began,  and I, in my newfound free time, started a blog.  That blog, guided by the Holy Spirit, has grown into an apologetics ministry and opportunities I only could have dreamed of. Anything good I do today is fruit of His Spirit.  Don’t know your mission yet? Ask the Holy Spirit.  He wants to be your best friend.

As disciples of Christ, we have a duty to share the faith (CCC 1816). These are a few simple ways to do that that are easy to understand and put into practice! #1. Smile St. Mother Teresa said that “smiling is our first act of love.” When you smile at someone, you’re not just being polite- you’re showing them that you see them. That they matter. That they’re made in the image of God, whether they know it or not. #2.Wear a Crucifix Not only is jewelry a fantastic conversation starter, it also serves as a silent sign of whose you are and reminds others of Christ. It's incredible to think that your simple crucifix may trigger the first thought someone has had of Christ in months or even years. #3. Shop Intentionally You can get beautiful stuff and evangelize at the same time. A tee shirt with a saint quote , a car magnet , thank-you-notes (use code FOLLOWER10), a candle ( use code THELITTLEAPOLOGIST), a tote bag - those everyday things open doors for conversation and point hearts toward Heaven. Here are some of my favorite Catholic products that are great tools for evangelization... #4. Invite, invite, invite! It can be as simple as, “Hey, want to come to Mass with me?” or “My church is doing this thing tonight-do you want to go?” Even if they say no, the invite plants a seed. And if they say yes, who knows what God will do? #5. Pray before meals  It's countercultural to pray in public, so yes- people do notice. And it’s such a simple way to bring Jesus into everyday moments and remind people that God is real, and He provides. #6. Ask Questions In conversation, ask things that invite someone to think a little deeper: “What’s been giving you joy lately?” or “Did you grow up with any kind of faith?” You'd be surprised at how many opportunities arise to talk about Jesus in everyday non-Church related conversations! #7. Live Liturgically Decorate for feast days, wear liturgical colors, make special meals or have parties for solemnities. People will notice, and they might ask questions. It's a great way to start conversations about the magesterium, the Saints, and the little things you love about being Catholic. #8. Play Catholic Music In the car. While you’re studying. In your room at home. While you have friends over. Praise and worship music sets a tone, sparks curiosity, and helps people encounter God without needing a full conversation. (telling people that your favorite type of music is Gregorian Chant works well, too...) #9. Random Acts of Kindness Text a friend that you’re thinking of and praying for them. Share a quote from a saint or Scripture that reminded you of them. Small encouragements help people to know how unconditionally loved they are. #10. Prayer Ask Jesus to give you opportunities to evangelize and to make your entire life one act of evangelization. Someone shares that they’re struggling? Pray with them. Have a friend who’s sick? Pray over them for healing. Tell people that you’ll pray for them- then do it. Send Spiritual bouquets in your Chritmas or birthday cards. The possibilities are endless!

I used to think the Holy Spirit was passive- just a gentle dove or a flame that could be easily extinguished. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Building a relationship with the Holy Spirit is something I’m actively seeking and trying to cultivate in my own life. Thankfully, the Church gives us a clear guide! The Catechism (paragraph 688) says: "The Church, a communion living in the faith of the apostles which she transmits, is the place where we know the Holy Spirit." And that we come to know Him in these ways... 🔥 In Scripture: Pray a prayer to the Holy Spirit before reading and ask Him to enlighten your heart and mind to receive what the Lord wants to reveal. 🔥 In Tradition: Ask the Spirit to guide you as you study the writings of the Saints and the teachings passed on from the beginning of the Church. 🔥 In the Church’s Magisterium: The Spirit protects the Church from error in doctrine. As you read the Catechism, ask Him to help you understand with both mind and heart. 🔥 In the Sacramental Liturgy: Each time you attend Mass, confession, or receive a Sacrament, the Spirit stirs your soul, bringing you into communion with Christ. If you feel distracted or unmotivated, ask the Holy Spirit to renew your heart. 🔥 In Prayer: We never pray alone! The Spirit prays and intercedes for us constantly. When you start prayer or a Holy Hour, invite Him to pray with you. Even without words, say, “Come, Holy Spirit,” and He will. 🔥 In Charisms and Ministries: As a disciple, you have gifts from the Spirit—teaching, healing, prophecy, hospitality, wisdom, and more. Ask, “Holy Spirit, how do You want me to use these gifts today?” 🔥 In Apostolic and Missionary Life: When you share the Gospel, the Spirit is present, giving you the words. Make it a habit to ask Him each morning to speak through you. 🔥 In the Witness of Saints: The Spirit shows His power through saints who continue God’s work. Ask the Spirit to help you find a saintly friend who intercedes for you, and pray for grace to imitate their virtues. Share this post with a friend searching for a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit 🕊️

I can very clearly remember the first time I truly KNEW Christ's love for me. I was 12 and sitting on my bed one night with my new teen Bible open on my lap. I was flipping through, trying to be quiet while my little sister tried to sleep across the room, and I came to the Gospel of John. I randomly started reading. One verse- John 17:24- made me pause that night, and it changed absolutely everything. "Father, they are your gift to me." I remember thinking "Wait, Jesus. Me? I am a gift? But I caused you so much pain." I read and re-read. Traced the line with my finger, wondering if it could be real- this simple prayer of Christ that made everything fall into place. As tears welled up in my eyes, in the stillness of my room, I felt the Love of Jesus in a way that was different and entirely new. It was intimate. Sacrificial. Because He knew what had to happen and what He would endure- and yet, even before it happened, He thanked the Father for us. And even more than that, Jesus saw humanity as a GIFT! He loved us so much that even then, knowing what suffering would occur, He wanted to thank the Father for us- because He knew that His suffering would bring about eternal union with His Bride- the Church. In that moment, something stirred in my heart. The Holy Spirit rushed in, and I was given the grace to see that Jesus was not only saying that the entirety of humanity was a gift- but also that I am a gift to Him from the Father Himself. And so are you, friend. When I saw that this verse was included in the readings for this Sunday, I knew that I needed to share this with you. You are the Father's gift to the Son- loved in every moment beyond all imagining.

Yesterday, I posted an Instagram reel that was a fun take on a popular trend but essentially had the message, "Instead of telling women that abortion is their only logica option, we should get them the resources, support, and love that they need." Seems simple enough, right? The people in the comments didn't think so. I woke up this morning to comments telling me to "shut up" and that I've been brainwashed, don't care about women, etc. All of which, of course, are not true. That being said, I thought it might be helpful to talk about some of the practical steps we can take when helping women facing an unplanned pregnancy or difficult situation. As much as we love to have conversations and logically convince people to see that abortion is morally incorrect and a grave evil, often it's the practical support that changes hearts and minds and enables a woman to choose life for her baby. Be Positive In most situations, when someone tells you she is pregnant, the proper response is always, "Congratulations! " No matter how a child has come into the world, he or she is still a child and a blessing. Every life is a miracle- no matter what. In cases of rape or incest, "congratulations" may not be the most tactful reaction, even though the child is still a gift. In that case, you could say something like, "I don't know exactly what to say that will help right now. I'm sure this is so overwhelming. I'm here for you and here to help with whatever you need." then, LISTEN! See what she truly needs and how she's doing, and connect her with professional help. Even if you can't be upbeat in every situation, at least be sympathetic. Empower her and let her know that you genuinely believe that she can do this. She can have her baby. And whether she chooses adoption or to raise her child, make sure that she knows you will be with her through it all. Be Available Like anyone in crisis, one moment to the next can be more difficult than another. While you certainly still need to live your own life and take care of your current responsibilities, it's important to let this new mom know that you're there for her- to talk, listen, or be with her. Quality time with supportive friends can do a world of good. Online Resources These are quick articles, helplines, and other resources you can send to any mamma facing an unexpected pregnancy. They provide financial assistance, help with any questions she might have, and so much more. This is an easy way to support someone even when you can't physically be present with her. These links are not categorized or ordered in any particular way. Adopthelp.com Adoption Services Inc. Birthright International Embrace Grace Feeding America College Grants for Single Mothers Maternity Housing Coalition 2-1-1 United Way Sisters of Life Human Defense Initiative Leap for Joy Inc Mercy Housing National Domestic Violence Hotline National Life Center National Safe Haven Alliance Once Upon a Child Option Line Project Cuddle Safe Haven Baby Boxes SNAP The Nurturing Network Rideshare Safety and Sexual Abuse Prevention Sally's Lambs ... and Standing With You has so many more! Accompany Her to Appointments and Classes Medical appointments can be intimidating as is, even without the stress of being a mom without a sound support system. You can help by recommending her a good pro-life ob-gyn, finding parenting classes, offering to accompany her or give her a ride, driving her to appointments, etc. Even if she already has reliable transportation, having someone along to talk to after an appointment can be helpful. Purchase Supplies and Giftcards Purchasing pregnancy or baby supplies, grocery cards, gas cards, or even just providing a meal can mean so much. Financial struggles are one of the biggest reasons for women to feel like abortion is their only option. A few dollars toward groceries or a box or two of diapers can help to relieve that burden. In the past, I've done gift card drives for a mother in need. Things like that that involve numerous people rallying around one mother (even if she chooses to remain anonymous to everyone but you) can be so effective. A meal dropped at her front door, an offer to help set up the baby's crib, or even just a care package full of her favorite treats can mean the world on a difficult day. Provide Financial Assistance This goes along with the gift cards! You can connect women with resources at your parish (ie: Saint Vincent de Paul Society), or other community resources that provide grants to those in need. Some of the online resources listed above also have financial assistance programs. Provide Shelter Not everyone has the space or capacity to safely bring another person into their home. But when a pregnant woman needs a place to stay to escape an abusive situation or unsupportive home, there are options. If she is facing homelessness, many communities have programs where churches take turns hosting people while they get back on their feet and find a new place to stay. Some places (though more urban areas than rural ones) have maternity homes where women can have a safe place to stay for the duration of their pregnancy and a few months after birth. Connect Her with Local Resources Think food pantries, pregnancy care centers, reliable doctors, affordable clothing options for maternity and baby clothes, etc. Pregnancy Care Centers are also a fantastic option. Many have programs that allow women to attend parenting classes in exchange for free clothing, supplies, and other resources. They're a great place to turn if you don't know how to help a woman in a particular situation or don't feel equipped to help meet her specific needs.

The human heart is attracted to beauty. In Catholic thought, especially from the writings of Saint Thomas Aquinas, we find the idea of transcendentals. This is the idea that everything that exists bears some mark of its Creator. The transcendentals- like truth, beauty, and goodness- draw our hearts and minds to God even in simple spaces or ordinary moments. Truth and Goodness are what makes something beautiful, and, in turn, true beauty leads to goodness and truth. This is why so many great cathedrals are crafted with such breathtaking beauty. True beauty moves us toward an encounter with God- because our minds can’t fully grasp its wonder. It leads us to think of higher things. In my own life, I’ve tried to take advantage of this concept in times where it’s difficult to pray. Can’t focus? Light a candle. Have no motivation? Make your spot for prayer somewhere where you want to spend time. Don’t make time for prayer? Create a place of beauty somewhere where you absolutely can’t miss it. Even if you can’t go and pray at a Cathedral every single day, you can still create beautiful spaces that draw your heart to Heaven. Here's what I'd reccommend: First, find a spot for your prayer space. A bookshelf. A nightstand. The top of a dresser or chest. The corner of a desk. A picture on the wall. An end table near a chair. The top of a cabinet. A windowsill. Then, add beautiful images and things that draw your heart to God. Cloth that is the color for the liturgical season. Flowers or dried flower petals. Your Bible , journal , and spiritual reading. Rosaries or chaplets Fairy lights or lamps. Holy water or oil Pictures of people you want to pray for. A speaker or earbuds for listening to worship music or meditations Holy cards Pictures of Jesus, Mary, and the Saints Catholic artwork Crosses or Crucifixes Candles Small statues A candle/room spray/essential oil diffuser (This one is my absolute favorite!) Prayer intentions list Bulletin board filled with quotes of artwork White or chalkboard (for writing prayer intentions, quotes, etc.) Want to share your beautiful Catholic prayer space with The Little Apologist community? Send us your photos to give others some inspiration to create their own spaces for prayer! Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate and Blessed is She Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Hi friend!! I bet this is confusing. Every Catholics Instagram story is filled with white smoke, seagulls, and the Pope in red. The news has been zoomed in on a chimney for the last 24 hours. The memes. The happy tears. The celebration. You might be thinking, "Isn't it all a little much? He's not Jesus. He's just a guy. What's with all the hype?" Let’s back up a bit. Jesus said to Peter, "And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:18-19) Peter was the first Pope, and was recognized as such throughout all of history. From the very beginning, Christians knew that Jesus had given Peter special authority and the responsibility to lead the Church. Peter was succeeded by Linus. Linus was succeeded by Cletus. And so on... Until Pope Francis. And now, Pope Leo XIV. So what’s the big deal? First, it’s a celebration of the Lord’s generosity and the fact that Jesus keeps His promises! He gave us a father and a shepherd to guide us, promising that even hell cannot prevail against it. Secondly... It's just really, really exciting!! The Pope is a spiritual Father to the Universal Church and this is such a huge change and moment in our lives and in history. It involves so many big emotions, prayer, unity, and joyful hope for the future. But at the core of it all, behind every "Pope post", and every seagull meme, is deep, deep gratitude to God. For the Church. For His guidance. For his Mercy. For the Papacy and the new Pope who will lead and guide the Church moving forward. If you’re confused or curious, please reach out. We’d love to talk- and yes, we have more seagull memes ready if you want them. 😉 Love, Your Catholic Friend

One thing you might not know about me is that right now I work at a grocery store. For 20 to 30 hours a week, I help customers, make sandwiches, slice meat and cheese, and help clean my department. It's not the most glamarous job. But despite that, I've learned to love what I'm doing. It's not my dream job, of course, and I know it won't last forever- but for now, it's where God needs me for some reason, and so I make the best of it. So for today's feast day, the Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker, I wanted to talk a little bit about work. Many of us in college (and even high school) find ourselves working in jobs just to make a little extra cash. These jobs aren't the ones we'd think of when we think of "ministry" or as giving us oppurtunities for prayer and evangelization- but I promise you, there are plenty! Here are some ideas for evangelization and prayer within your job. If you have a job that I didn't list here, comment below and I'll put some ideas together for you! BARISTA OR WAITRESS Pray for each customer as you make their drink or take their order Smile as you work and greet customers joyfully Make each person you meet feel like they’re the only person in the world. Give them your full, undivided attention. Wear a Crucifix, Miraculous Medal, or other religious jewelry. Fantastic conversation starters! LANDSCAPING Pray as you work, taking the opportunity for interior silence as the noise of the world is drowned out by machinery. Offer up your manual labor for the sake of the souls in Purgatory or other prayer intentions. Pray for the people who own the home you’re working on. Do small, extra tasks for free if you’re able, as acts of kindness. RETAIL CASHIER Treat each customer as beloved by Christ and greet them with love (no matter their attitude!) Wear religious jewelry. Engage in conversation. Make people feel seen, known, and loved. Smile at people! Pray for each customer you’ll encounter before and after your shift. FOOD SERVICE Embrace the monotonous tasks- dishes, cleaning, etc.- and offer them up for specific intentions. Pray over each dish you serve as you’re preparing it. Stay calm and joyful, even in rushes or stressful situations. Take care to create a clean, sanitary environment to protect each customer you are serving. OFFICE ASSISTANT Create a welcoming environment. Offer a smile and sense of peace to those you encounter or speak to on the phone. Have a mindset of service- even when your work is not recognized. Practice gentleness in your speech, emails, and phone calls Set your laptop background as a Bible verse, Saint Quote, or Sacred Artwork BABYSITTER Pray for the children and families you serve. Give the children you’re caring for your full, undivided attention with love, gentleness, patience, and joy. Put your phone away! Ask the Holy Family for help in difficult moments. Strive to react from a place of love rather than frustration. TUTORING Pray the prayer for students by Saint Thomas Aquinas before your session or with your student. Encouraging the struggling with the love of Christ Practice patience and mercy when concepts are being misunderstood. Wear t-shirts, jewelry, etc. that serve as tools for evangelization and sharing the faith. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you as you teach. No matter what sort of job you are working in, you can glorify God and make Him known to those you serve. Saint Joseph the Worker, Pray for us.

Five years ago today, at the height of the pandemic, I started a blog. That blog, Catholic Teen Life, was meant to reach other Catholic teens and help them in their journey with Christ while navigating a tumultuous world. A few months later, I was journaling and told Jesus, "I have had so many dreams lately. But my biggest desire is to bring young people to You so that they may find the joy that I have found in living with and for You! I wish I could speak to every single teen... I want to keep up my blog. That's going to be my 'little way' of doing that for now." Now, five years, hundreds of posts, hours of research, a small business, a degree, countless twists and turns, new friends, incredible opportunities, and a life that looks drastically different from what I imagined—here we are. My mission and this "Little Way" has shifted to apologetics as He continues shaping me into who He’s calling me to be- but God's will and my desire to reach as many people as possible with the Love and Truth of Christ has remained the same. The Little Apologist is, first and foremost, a labor of love. If even just one person benefits from anything Jesus allows me to do, then these years of writing and designing have been totally worth it. A few years ago, I was on retreat with some religious sisters near my home. Over the weekend, I discovered that one of the other young women there—someone I had never met and had no connection to at the time—was subscribed to and reading and benefiting from the posts I published! It was a total God-moment and such an encouragement. Stories like this remind me why I keep saying "yes." When I first started writing, I was part of a prayer group on the Catholify app. The connections I made there, along with the prayer and encouragement I received, were invaluable. And there have been so many other people who have made a huge impact on this journey, too. 🤍 So, THANK YOU. Thank you for being here, for reading this. The friendships and connections I’ve made as a result of this apostolate are an incredible gift, and I'm so grateful for your prayers😊

Now, you should go to confession all throughout the year, but, especially if it's been a while, Lent is the perfect time to go! Here's why... #1 . The Precepts of the Church The Precepts of the Church (the basic things one needs to do to be a practicing Catholic) state that all Catholics must receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation at least once per year. Lent is the perfect time to do that, as many parishes have more options for hearing confessions during Lent! #2 . Focus on Repentance One of the "themes" of Lent is Repentance and conversion. Part of repentance from our sins and conversion (turning back to God) is confessing out sins and accepting God's mercy. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is the way that Jesus gave us a way to do this and be reconciled with God. What better way to prepare your heart for the joy of Easter than by turning back to God?! #3 . Prepare for Heaven His Resurrection offers us freedom from sin and death and opened the gates of Heaven- confession helps us to accept and live in that freedom that we, God Willing, will one day experience in Heaven! If you haven't been to confession for a while- even if it's been years- it's never too late. Lent is a perfect time to go. Jesus is waiting for you with open arms. He wants to heal the wounds that sin has caused and welcome you back. His Love has never abandoned you. Just turn around, friend. Turn back to Him. He's waiting with incomprehensible mercy and love to forgive you. (Originally posted on The Little Apologist Instagram on 3/19/25)

💜"Why is purple the Liturgical color of Lent?"💜 Mark 15:17-18, one account of Jesus' Passion, reads: "They clothed him in purple and, weaving a crown of thorns, placed it on him. They began to salute him with, 'Hail, King of the Jews!'" In 1st century Jewish and Roman culture, the dye used for the cloak that was placed on Jesus would have been called Tyrian Purple (similar to the color of the graphic of this post!) This dye was created by crushing certain types of sea snails and was quite costly, usually only worn by people of power and prestige. That being said, historians and theologians aren't quite certain how or why such an expensive cloak was used for Jesus. The soldiers most likely would have had to steal it from someone of a higher power simply for the purpose of mocking Jesus, as the cloth had a similar value to precious metals and was only worn by Kings and government officials In addition to being the color of the cloak Jesus wore, purple also represents repentance and penance, because we remember it as the color Jesus wore as He carried His cross. It reminds us that, through even the most excruciating experience possible was not enough to keep down the King of the Universe. He's King even over death and sin itself, and thus, gives us the strength to turn away from sin and towards Him. Fun fact: It was also referred to as "Tyrian Scarlet"... giving reason for the seemingly conflicting gospel accounts that the cloak was either purple or scarlet! (Originally posted on The Little Apologist Instagram on 3/17/25)

A common question people have about Catholicism is "Why do Catholics have crucifixes?" People say that we don't appreciate the Resurrection. Or that we want to "keep Jesus crucified." Ultimately, both the empty cross AND the crucifix are beautiful reminders of Christ's sacrifice- and either are perfectly fine to use and display! However, the crucifix has an even deeper meaning than the empty cross. The crucifix helps us to remember Christ's sacrifice and WHY He did it. We need Salvation. And that Salvation was won by Jesus' death on the cross and his Resurrection. Jesus being on the cross makes the cross no longer a torture device, but the ultimate symbol of love for humanity. When we wear a crucifix, or display it in our homes, we are also reminded to embrace the sufferings that we will inevitably experience. Jesus gives our suffering purpose. The crucifix, with Christ on the cross, brings to mind that death is not the end and God has power and authority over even death itself! When we gaze at Jesus on the cross, His Love for humanity is on full display. In the darkest moment of human history, Christ still reigned. And He longed for you and for me. You were on His mind. And at the end of the day- I'm in love with Jesus. Why would I NOT want to gaze upon my Love all the time?? Love does not abandon us in our darkest moments- so why would we abandon Him and not want to look at Him in His agony? He doesn't overlook our sufferings. We cannot overlook the sufferings of His that will, we pray, lead to our own Resurrection. (Originally posted on The Little Apologist Instagram on 3/10/25)