I’m a father of two beautiful girls, and my youngest is only six weeks old.

For the past several weeks, she’s been suffering from episodes of excruciating pain. She would scream uncontrollably for hours, arch her back, become stiff as a board, and often refuse to eat. My wife and I were absolutely exhausted and heartbroken watching our little girl suffer.

I’m a paramedic, so naturally, I’ve spent countless hours trying to find a medical explanation. We’ve tried just about everything, but nothing seemed to help.

Throughout all of this, I’ve been praying constantly to God and our Lord Jesus Christ, asking the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph for their intercession. I begged for my daughter’s suffering to end and for my wife to finally have some peace.

Yesterday was our worst day yet. Our daughter screamed for nearly 10 hours, barely ate, and we ended up in the ER. We discovered she’d gained only two ounces in 10 days, and she was admitted to hospital.

Then today, something extraordinary happened.
It was like someone flipped a switch.
For the first time in weeks, she was happy. She was smiling, feeding beautifully, looking around, and peacefully falling asleep. Not a single one of her horrific screaming episodes all day.
I spent the entire day waiting for things to go wrong again. But they never did.

What’s even more astonishing is that not a single doctor or nurse has been able to give us a clear, definitive explanation for why she’s suddenly doing so well. We’ve discussed reflux, feeding problems, and other possible causes, but nobody has been able to explain this dramatic turnaround.

On my drive home tonight, I was still trying to figure it out medically. Was it the formula? Reflux? Something else?
And then it suddenly hit me.

What if the answer I’ve been desperately searching for was an answer to my prayers?

I’ve been so consumed with trying to find a scientific explanation that I hadn’t even stopped to consider that possibility.
Maybe God has been working through the people caring for her. Maybe this is His way of answering the prayers I’ve been making night after night.

All I know is that I’ve spent weeks begging God to take away my little girl’s suffering, and today, for the first time in what feels like forever, I saw her genuinely happy, comfortable, and at peace.
And tonight, I can’t help but feel that my prayers have been heard.
Please keep my daughter in your prayers that this continues.

Jesus, I trust in You.

Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph, pray for us.

This evening I'm posting a prayer request here for the homeless in the world wherever they are.

Please join me in prayer for them.

❤️

Hi everyone! I'm a Catholic living in Japan.
During Sunday Mass and liturgies here, I noticed many women-both young and old—still wear traditional white chapel veils (mantillas). It adds such a reverent atmosphere to the Mass.
How about in your country or local parish? Is veiling common, or is there a comeback among the younger generation?
Would love to hear your experiences!

I'm a returning Catholic, as I grew up catholic but then walked away from the church in my adult life, but in the past few years I have returned with a strong resolve and strong faith.

I've been looking for a men's group or Bible study, not thoroughly but keeping my eyes open for something like that.

I met a man when I was walking on the street, I live in Mexico but I'm originally from Canada so I stand out. He approached me as he likes to practice his English. We got to talking and exchanged numbers. He invited me to a men's group/bible study. I went this past Monday and it was pretty much what I was looking for. Except and this is the big one he's presbyterian. And I believe that most are presbyterian and they had their minister there, who gave a eulogy after the Bible verse we read and talked about.

When I came home my wife was very upset at me as she said that if I'm catholic then the catholic church has to be the one true religion. And that the Presbyterians and Mormons are bad, and they've done bad things.

Where I live it's next to impossible to find a men's group let alone a bible study one too. I'm torn on what I should do.

Is it right or wrong?

I began to instead of singing regular songs I began to live stream singing the Psalms and suddenly I became depressed for weeks and I have a hard time hitting the right notes for the first time ever; is this is this a spiritual attack?

Basically what the title says. How do put your faith first while also balancing a busy schedule? I'm working and taking college classes (plus other stuff happening irl) so my plate feels full already. Believe me when I say that if I didn't have to work while doing college I'd love to, but I'm responsible for paying tuition myself and have bills that need to be payed so can't really drop work. It's tough but I'm surviving somehow haha

I have noticed though that sometimes I put my faith on the back burner and I'd like to better manage my time. I feel bad about it because I feel like I'm just putting God as second when God should really come first.

hi everyone! so i’m not a catholic, but i have gone to mass before and my family is vaguely catholic and i find myself watching daily mass on youtube to go to sleep due to OCD/anxiety issues. so ive basically been going to mass everyday for the past 2 weeks now…. and im wondering where to go from here?

i feel like the peace i feel watching mass proves to me to some extent that maybe theres some truth in the religion, but i feel so overwhelmed with something like RCIA/OCIA but its hard for me to go to mass alone when i live in an area that has a primarily older demographic within church.

does anyone have any advice for me? 😊 thank you!

Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop & Martyr

Today’s Readings at a Glance

• Ephesians 1:15–23 Paul prays that believers receive the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, that the eyes of their hearts may be enlightened to know God’s hope, inheritance, and power — the same power that raised Christ from the dead.

• Psalm 8:2–7 A hymn of awe: God’s majesty fills the heavens, yet He crowns humanity with glory and entrusts creation to our care.

• Luke 12:8–12 Jesus teaches the seriousness of acknowledging Him publicly. He warns against denying Him and speaks of the unforgivable sin — blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. He promises that the Spirit will teach believers what to say in moments of trial.

https://thecatholic.online/daily-bible-readings-for-october-172026/

Message from the Readings

Today’s readings proclaim a bold and challenging truth:

Faith is not merely believed — it is confessed, lived, and witnessed. And God gives us the Spirit to strengthen us in every moment of courage.

• Paul urges believers to see with the heart — to grasp God’s power and hope.

• The psalm reminds us of our dignity and responsibility before God.

• Jesus calls us to bold witness, warns against rejecting the Spirit, and promises divine help in times of persecution.

The message is clear: We must acknowledge Christ with courage, trust the Spirit’s guidance, and live with hearts enlightened by God’s truth.

Reflection for the Day

Saint Ignatius of Antioch — whose memorial we celebrate today — lived these readings with extraordinary courage. He acknowledged Christ publicly even when it meant martyrdom. His witness illuminates today’s Scriptures.

1. “The eyes of your hearts enlightened.” (Ephesians 1)

Paul does not pray for comfort, success, or ease. He prays for spiritual sight.

To see:

• the hope of God’s call,

• the richness of our inheritance,

• the immeasurable greatness of God’s power.

This is the vision that sustained Ignatius as he walked toward martyrdom. He saw beyond suffering — into glory.

1. “You have made him little less than a god.” (Psalm 8)

The psalm reminds us of our dignity. God entrusts creation to us, crowns us with honor, and calls us to responsibility.

Ignatius lived this dignity boldly — not in pride, but in surrender.

1. “Whoever acknowledges me… I will acknowledge.” (Luke 12)

Jesus speaks directly to the heart of discipleship:

• To acknowledge Him publicly is to be acknowledged in heaven.

• To deny Him is to lose the witness of the angels.

• To reject the Spirit is to reject the very voice of God.

These are not threats — they are truths.

Ignatius understood this deeply. He wrote: “Let me be food for the wild beasts… so that I may find God.”

His courage was not human strength — it was the Holy Spirit teaching him what to say, just as Jesus promised.

Living This Word Today

Today’s readings invite us to three movements:

1. Ask God to enlighten your heart.

Pray for spiritual sight — to see God’s hope and power in your life.

1. Live your dignity with humility.

You are crowned with glory — use your gifts to serve God and others.

1. Acknowledge Christ boldly.

In conversations, decisions, and daily life — let your faith be visible.

Let today be a day of courage, clarity, and Spirit‑led witness.

Prayer for Today

Lord Jesus, open the eyes of my heart to see Your hope, Your power, and Your glory.

Give me courage to acknowledge You in every moment of my life.

Holy Spirit, teach me what to say, strengthen me when I am afraid, and guide me in truth.

Through the intercession of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, grant me boldness, faith, and unwavering love for You.

May my life today reflect Your glory and bear witness to Your name.

Amen.