A Catholic Guide and Inspiration for Your New Year's Resolutions

The New Year is just around the corner, or perhaps at the time you are reading this it has already begun, and with it comes the opportunity to take inventory of our interior and external lives, to reflect on how we can grow, to take up new disciplines. As we are all in the business of examining ways we can improve and grow, I thought I would offer some simple insights and guiding questions to aid us in our resolutions for 2026, from a specifically Catholic perspective, and then share 17 actual resolution ideas.

Instead of relying on our own wants or comparisons to others (or even ourselves in previous years), perhaps we should begin with listening as we decide on our 2026 resolutions. God is always the first and primary mover. It is He who is always pressing in, pursuing our hearts, and drawing us nearer to Himself. "We love because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19). As if that isn't enough, He is also the maker of these hearts. God designed your heart, mind, body, and soul Himself in His delight and love and therefore He knows you in your entirety better than you will ever know or love yourself. This reality is worth a pause and moment of reflection. It changes everything. I invite all of us to spend some time listening to the Lord Himself to hear if there is a word, a phrase, a Scripture verse, or a resolution itself that He desires you to hear and embrace in this coming year.

The second proposal I have for all of us as we meditate on ways to improve, cultivate, or discipline ourselves this coming year is to shift our mindset from one of achieving to one of receiving. There is a need and a place for discipline, self-denial, purification, etc., but we will never be capable of achieving the love of the Lord or the holiness, freedom, integration, etc., that He is calling us to. It is all a GIFT, and the good news is that He is eager to give it. All of our spiritual or lifestyle practices and resolves must, therefore, be oriented towards deepening our receptivity; focused on making space in our hearts and lives for more of the action, pursuit, and gift of God for and in us.

All of this being said, the Lord uses all things to inspire and speak to us, so here are 17 practical

ideas for your resolutions:

1. GO TO DAILY MASS.

There is no better way to be united to Jesus than to go and receive Him into your very self. If we want to be Saints, we have to start by drawing as near as possible, as often as possible, to Jesus in the Eucharist. There is no better way to give thanks, pray for our intentions and those we love, make reparation, or receive His love than to go and unite ourselves to Jesus in the Eucharist, in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. If you can't go every day, perhaps committing to at least one or two days a week is a good place to start.

2. READ A SPIRITUAL CLASSIC.

Spiritual reading is one of the great pillars of the spiritual life. Many great Saints would argue that to grow in the spiritual life requires reading good, spiritual books. Here are a few classic and contemporary spiritual books to put on your list for 2026:

- Interior Castle, Saint Teresa of Avila

- Imitation of Christ, Thomas a Kempis

- Story of a Soul, Saint Therese of Lisieux

- Confessions, Saint Augustine

- The Soul of the Apostolate, Jean-Baptiste Chautard

- The Sanctifier, Luis Martinez

- Interior Freedom, Fr. Jacques Philippe

- Searching for and Maintaining Peace, Fr. Jacques Philippe

- Impact of God, Fr. Iain Matthews

3. PRAY A DAILY ROSARY.

Time and time again, Our Lady and all the greatest Saints recommend we pray the Rosary every day. It is taking time to actually meditate on the gospels every day, and to let Mary walk with you and teach you about her Son. Before you contest that you don't have time, I would like to invite you to be honest with yourself. The Rosary takes about 15 minutes, and we all make time for what we love. To say we don't have time is in reality to say that we don't have the love.

All this being said, Mary's promises to those who pray the Rosary daily are no small thing. Mary has made 15 promises to those who pray the Rosary daily:

1. Those who faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary shall receive signal graces.

2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary.

3. The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against hell. It will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.

4. The recitation of the Rosary will cause virtue and good works to flourish. It will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God. It will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.

5. The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary shall not perish.

6. Those who recite my Rosary devoutly, applying themselves to the consideration of its sacred mysteries, shall never be conquered by misfortune. In His justice, God will not chastise them; nor shall they perish by an unprovided death, i.e., be unprepared for heaven. Sinners shall convert. The just shall persevere in grace and become worthy of eternal life.

7. Those who have a true devotion to the Rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.

8. Those who faithfully recite the Rosary shall have, during their life and at their death, the light of God and the plenitude of His graces. At the moment of death, they shall participate in the merits of the saints in paradise.

9. I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.

10. The faithful children of the Rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in heaven.

11. By the recitation of the Rosary you shall obtain all that you ask of me.

12. Those who propagate the holy Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.

13. I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the Rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of their death.

14. All who recite the Rosary are my beloved children and the brothers and sisters of my only Son, Jesus Christ.

15. Devotion for my Rosary is a great sign of predestination.

4. START PRAYING THE ANGELUS.

The Angelus is another powerful, ancient prayer that has been referred to as an "exorcism of the air". At 6am, 12pm, and 6pm faithful in the Church all around the world pause to reflect on the mystery of the Incarnation and to reorient themselves to the Lord through the Heart of our Blessed Mother. The prayer goes as followed:

V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.

R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary... Amen.

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.

R. Be it done unto me according to thy word.

Hail Mary...

V. And the Word was made flesh.

R. And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary...

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

5. PICK A SAINT FOR THE YEAR.

A new, trending practice among many Catholics, and for good reason! Either pray about or use a generator to find a Saint companion to learn more about, walk with, and learn from for 2026.

6. GET ENROLLED IN THE BROWN SCAPULAR.

Stealing this one from our Blessed Mother again, since it's really her idea. She asked that we all wrap ourselves in her mantle, and so I'd encourage you to consider doing so this year. I have no intention of hiding that my mission and apostolate is to drape Mary's mantle over the world one scapular at a time, so I also have no intention of hiding my desire that if you are reading this, I hope you will let her hold you and intercede for you in this way, through this special devotion. It doesn't have to be a Qui Minimo scapular, but I would be honored to hand-stitch one for you, praying for you by name.

7. BECOME MORE PRESENT.

Get off your phone and be present to the people and moments around you. Staring at your phone in a room of people communicates that you value the presence of those around you less than the distraction and immediate gratification of your phone. Multi-task less and be present to the task at hand. Turn off your music and drive in the quiet, with your thoughts. Slow down and look around you, observe your surroundings. Choose intentional presence rather than distraction or mindless entertainment. Practice the presence of God. (Side note: if you haven't read Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence, this tiny little masterpiece will change your life)

8. VISIT A MONASTERY OR ABBEY.

Taking personal or family day retreats is the spiritual rejuvination you didn't know you needed. And it does not have to be a formal retreat! Something my husband and I are prioritizing this year is quarterly day retreats at Mount Angel Abbey, a Benedictine Abbey 45 minutes away from us. We pack lunches, snacks, our journals, rosaries, Bibles, and a spiritual book, and we spend the day going to Mass, walking together on the grounds, journaling, praying, and taking turns watching the baby while the other gets more intentional time to reflect or read. Then, of course, we end the day sharing a flight at the Benedictine Brewery sharing our reflections and insights from the day.

You would be amazed at what is nearby if you take some time to research. Even if there isn't an abbey, monastery, or convent very close, it is worth doing some research to find something or somewhere you can go to be refreshed and rest.

9. GO ON A PILGRIMAGE TO ROME WITH US IN MAY!

Jack, Fr. Luke Tomson, Benjamin, and myself are partnering with Trinity Tour Travels to host a pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi in May this year. We are currently (on the date this is published) in need of 8 more people to join us. Trinity Tour Travels is a small, Catholic family owned pilgrimage company which sends a large portion of the profit they make back to the Holy Land to support to Church there. They are planning all of our tours, meals, day trips, and hotels, and all we have to do is show up. We are curating this pilgrimage to be baby friendly and more intentional and contemplative in nature. We will spend 5 days in Assisi making day trips to surrounding areas like La Verna (where Saint Francis received the stigmata), Nursia (birthplace of Saint Benedict, and we'll have a beer tasting with the Benedictine Monks!), Castel Gondolfo (Papal Palaces and gardens), and visiting the incorrupt body of Saint Clare of Assisi and Saint Carlo Acutis (the newest Saint!). Then we will go to Rome and spend the remaining 5 days visiting Saint Peter's, the major Basilicas, catacombs, having a Papal audience with Pope Leo, and having the late afternoons and evenings free for personal exploring, rest, or prayer. If you are interested in joining us, the deadline to register is February 13th. You can send me an email at quiminimo@gmail.com or go ahead and register right away on the info page (which also has the full itinerary and cost details) https://trinitytourtravels.wetravel.com/trips/qui-minimo-fr-luke-tomson-saints-of-italy-rome-assisi-trinity-tour-travels-52572732

Whether you've never been on a pilgrimage, or to Rome, or are simply in need of a spiritual revival or deepening in your life, this is an extradorinary opportunity. We have been praying for each person who will be called to join us, and I invite you to ask the Lord if you are one of the special souls He is calling to come. He has special graces He wants to pour out on all of those who will be pilgrimaging with us to these holy palces. And again, babies are not a deal-breaker! Babies are welcome.

10. TALK LESS ABOUT YOURSELF.

Maybe an interesting resolution idea, but in a time when everyone naval gazes and promotes themselves even through a "Catholic" identity, it's a good reminder that we sometimes we should just quite simply think and talk less about ourselves. There are plenty of ways to grow in humility and simplicity.

11. SPEND MORE TIME OUTSIDE.

All of creation is speaking something of the Lord. He speaks to us and reveals Himself through all of His handiwork. This one is an invitation to reflect on and make resolute decisions to spend more time outside. This could be through walks, hikes, more time out on water in lakes or rivers, camping in the mountains or woods, or simply journaling on your veranda or patio in the mornings or drinking tea as you watch the sunset outside. You'd be amazed at how simply being outside in the fresh air and sun refreshes your soul and body, breathing peace and new life back into our all too often wearied and anxious bones.

12. WORK WITH YOUR HANDS MORE.

Cooking, baking, painting, writing hand-written letters, sewing, sketching, journaling, building, renovating simple home pieces or decorations, gardening... there are so many ways we can engage more with our bodies in creating or building with the Lord. Once again, it is amazing how refreshing and life-giving it can be to use our own hands and minds to create.

13. POST LESS ABOUT YOURSELF.

I do not claim perfection in this area. This is simply an invitation to examine our hearts in our use of social media. Sometimes I just wonder what Mother Teresa of Calcutta would think about how we're using social media. What would Saint Teresa of Avila say about the staged videos, mirror pics, and the 15th selfie we finally post because we got our hair just right? I hear people jokingly talk about what certain Saint's social media platforms would be like, but I also wonder if a lot of the Saints would even have social media, let alone if they would have been so self-obsessed as we all are. Maybe it would've actually have impeded them from the heights of holiness they actually reached, and maybe it is the thing impeding many of us from arriving at the degree of holiness and union with God He made us for... Again, this is simply an invitation to examine how we are using social media and if we are wholly Christ's there, too.

14. DO SOME WORK OF MERCY.

One of the greatest remedies to our self-absorption and obsession is to give ourselves. As Catholics we are called to practice the works of mercy - both spiritual and corporal. Here are both the spiritual and corporal below. One great resolution is to decide on ways to practice some work of mercy in 2026.

Spiritual

• To instruct the ignorant;

• To counsel the doubtful;

• To admonish sinners;

• To bear wrongs patiently;

• To forgive offences willingly;

• To comfort the afflicted;

• To pray for the living and the dead.

Corporal

• To feed the hungry;

• To give drink to the thirsty;

• To clothe the naked;

• To harbour the harbourless;

• To visit the sick;

• To ransom the captive;

• To bury the dead.

15. CONSECRATE YOURSELF TO JESUS THROUGH MARY.

Whether you've never considered doing so, or it has been nagging at you to finally journey into what it means to be consecrated to Jesus through Mary, this is a great year to say yes. Jesus Himself chose Mary as His mother, and chose her as the means by which He would come to us. In our imitation of Christ Himself, taking Mary as our own mother will only transform our hearts for the better. Who better to teach us how to live and love like Christ than the one who Christ chose to form Him and teach Him in His humanity? Saint Louis de Montfort and Fr. Michael Gaitley have great options for a guided consecration.

16. TAKE YOUR PRAYER LIFE SERIOUSLY.

Saint Padre Pio said that "prayer is the oxygen of the soul". At the risk of being too cliche, think of a relationship between spouses where the two never speak. Imagine a marriage where your spouse is always seeking you, pursuing you, but you never rest for a moment in their presence or give them any time... If we desire a relationship with God, as He does with us, then we must take the time to rest in His loving presence. If you do not have a set time each day, every day, that you spend time with the Lord, begin this year. Pick a time that you can consistently give to the Lord and commit to sitting with Him, listening to Him, reading His living Word, speaking with Him as a friend, a child, a lover.

17. FIND A SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR OR REGULAR CONFESSOR.

It is recommended to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation every month. If you can find a regular place and time that you can get too each month, regular Reconciliation will monthly renew your heart. It is coming back to the Heart of our Father and laying before Him the broken places of our hearts for Him to touch, heal, forgive, and. strengthen. Everything that you bring Him there will be transformed in His love and mercy for your own good and His glory.

Another great aid along the way is spiritual direction. If anything within you tells you that you are disqualified from having a spiritual director, that is not true. Every single one of us is called to mystical love and union with God, and every single one of us needs support and wisdom along the way. The Lord desires your heart, and for you to receive guidance along the way. Whether it is your parish Priest, a lay man or woman in your community who is a few stages ahead of you, or even a spiritual director you find through a platform, seeking the guidance and wisdom of another is only to our benefit on our journey with Christ. We weren't made to journey alone.

Pass this along to a friend that you think may also be inspired by some of these ideas. And let me know below in the comments if you are already doing any of these, or if you'll be choosing any of these now after reading this!

To the heights!

Anna