Wearing a full black-and-white nun’s habit with a cross around her neck, the feisty student recalled for her family the moment her teacher confronted her in class:

“She told me, ‘You need to change this costume! This ain’t a church.’ I said, ‘I know—that’s why I didn’t bring the collection plate.’”

Exasperated by the double standard, the little girl pointed out the irony of what was allowed in the classroom:

“Everybody else comes dressed as demons, witches, zombies, and vampires. So I asked her: ‘Change as what? A sinner? Is that what’s school-appropriate?’”

Continuing her monologue to her amused mother, the girl delivered a series of quick-witted punchlines that have clearly broken the internet:

On her presence at school: “I ain’t the problem. I’m the solution!”

On spiritual warfare in the hallway: “They’re gonna need a nun, a priest... I should’ve brought some holy water and a Super Soaker!”

On getting sent out of class: “I said, ‘Don’t send me home. Send me to the principal’s office—because for some reason, that’s where the prayers need to start!’”

Father Leo Patalinghug Weighs In: ‘This Little Sister Is 100% Correct’

The viral video caught the attention of Catholic priest, EWTN host, and Plating Grace founder Father Leo Patalinghug, who responded with enthusiasm:

“You go, girl! I love it!”

Addressing the common debate surrounding Catholics and Halloween, Father Leo set the record straight on the true origin of the holiday:

“People ask all the time, ‘Is it a sin to celebrate Halloween?’ If you glorify evil, it could be... if you create mayhem, maybe. But in this case, it’s All Hallows' Eve. It’s All Holy Eve. It is a commemoration of all the souls of the faithful departed, preparing us to celebrate the great feast day of All Saints’ Day.”

Father Leo encouraged parents and children to reclaim the holy roots of the season rather than leaning into dark or demonic themes.

“Here’s what you can do to keep all of the evil away, just like this cute young lady dressed as a nun: celebrate the holy part of it all by avoiding costumes that celebrate evil,” Father Leo urged.

And the Baltimore priest gave us good advice for next year:

"This little sister is 100% correct. We need more holy costumes—or better yet, exterior clothing that represents the holiness of our own lives.”

Whether you're navigating the apps or trying to figure out how to move past the awkward first-date phase, here are four no-nonsense dating rules straight from the collar. 

1. If you like her, ask her out

It sounds painfully simple, but Father Dominic’s golden rule is all about initiative. In a world full of ambiguous text threads and over-analyzing, the cure is clarity.

“Rule number one is for the guys, uh, if you like her, ask her out because nothing else gets off the ground if you don't do that.”

2. Ditch the ‘Soulmate on Day One’ pressure

Stop treating the first date like a high-stakes job interview for your future spouse. Father Dominic points out the danger of putting too much pressure on a first encounter to find instant perfection, reminding us that real bonds take time to grow:

“Don't put so much pressure on the first date... to try and find the perfect romantic partner. A marriage is built from a friendship. And so, start dating by trying to build a friendship with someone.”

And in our post-pandemic era, for those wondering how to build a friendship, the Dominican priest says:

“How do you build a friendship? You do things together. You look for common interests. Uh and you develop a kind of, you know, affinity and affection over time. So, you know, it's not going to be perfect on day one. In fact, a friendship gets better over time the more you share with the person.”

3. Keep the end goal in sight (intention matters)

Dating isn't just an endless hobby; ultimately, it’s aiming at something greater: a lifelong partnership oriented toward family life. While being casual has its place when you're younger, drifting aimlessly misses the mark:

“Well, ultimately we're talking about marriage, which is a procreative friendship. So it's a friendship that needs to be a real friendship, a deep and lifelong friendship that is also oriented towards children and family life... You need to orient your dating around the future family life that you're hoping to have with someone.”

4. Keep physical boundaries intact to protect your heart

This might be the ultimate hot take: keeping physical boundaries isn't just about rules — it's about emotional self-preservation. Getting physical too early creates a false sense of attachment before a real foundation is built:

“Make sure that the physical side of the relationship stays in bounds because that is the fastest way to get into trouble. The heart will be entangled if the relationship starts to get physical too early... And if you haven't built that friendship, and if this is not the kind of person you are going to want to spend your life with and raise children with, then getting entangled like that is just going to cause enormous heartache.”

Who knew a Catholic priest would give better dating advice than your group chat? Now go forth, keep your physical boundaries, and for goodness’ sake — just ask her out already!

If you want to learn more about Father Dominic's dating advice, his own vocation story after spending years working as an attorney for the Department of Justice, and more about St. Thomas Aquinas, check out the full Napa Institute video here:

The tales of a true heart finding a match that ignites one’s own soul—and in the sacrament of marriage, two souls tethered together for all eternity.

But what about the love stories of heroes - saintly heroes like the millennial saint in sneakers, St. Carlo Acutis, who only considered the Blessed Mother as the woman for him? What about this deep, impenetrable love that a soul feels for the Creator, for God, for the friend we have in Jesus?

Or what about St. Catherine of Siena, who envisioned the Eucharist as a burning sun on the altar, blazing with a divine intensity that would normally scorch or consume a person?

What about French mystic St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, whose visions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Eucharist appeared as an open furnace, a living source of flames that set her own heart on fire?

Now these are the love stories that stand the test of time.

These saints were real people who walked the face of the earth. And we still stop to wish them a happy birthday… on their death day.

Why is that?

Because that is when we are truly born into what God imagined when He made you and me.

As St. Carlo Acutis used to say:

“We are all born originals… but many of us die as photocopies.”

Sometimes we lose the spark—the thing that makes us feel who we truly are. Sometimes we get scared, we stay quiet, and over time, we lose our own voice until we can’t even recall what matters most to us.

When we think of all the great moments in our own lives (and loves!), this is the ultimate moment.

We are all called to be saints!

Of course, we are human. We fail, we fall, we falter. As St. Francis de Sales said:

“To every man, however holy he may be, there always remains some imperfection.”

And that is the truth of our faith: that we are made perfect in our weakness.

As Pope Benedict XIV said about love:

“Love is the only force capable of changing the heart of the human person and of all humanity.”

As we learn to love like the saints this All Saints’ Day, here are 6 quotes from saints on love:

1. “True love begins when nothing is sought in return.”

— St. Thérèse of Lisieux

2. “The measure of love is to love without measure.”

— St. Augustine

3. “Love is difficult, but it is our essence. It’s what lifts us up above all other creatures.”

— St. Rose of Lima

4. “[W]hat really matters in life is that we are loved by Christ and that we love Him in return. And, without the love of Jesus, everything is useless.”

— Pope St. John Paul II

5. “Love Him totally who gave Himself totally for your love.”

— St. Clare of Assisi

6. “God created man in His own image and likeness: calling him to existence through love, He called him at the same time for love... Love is therefore the fundamental and innate vocation of every human being.”

— Pope St. John Paul II

True love isn't just an abstract feeling or a grand romantic gesture. It is found in the everyday choice to see Christ in the person standing right in front of us. When we give our hearts away in love, no matter how small the gesture, we step out of the shadows of being a "photocopy" — and into the glory of becoming the saint God created us to be.

In the words of Pope Leo XIV:

“Love is not passive; it goes out to meet the other. Being a neighbor is not determined by physical or social proximity, but by the decision to love.”

Coming just on the heels of the beatification of Blessed Fulton Sheen, five Catholic priests will receive the title on Saturday!

400 years after laying down their lives in the American wilderness, these five 16th-century Franciscan missionaries are officially being elevated to blesseds.

Recognized for their ultimate witness to Christ, the Georgia Martyrs offer a powerful testimony to peace, cultural harmony, and upholding the sacrament of marriage.

Here are five key things to know about these soon-to-be-blesseds and their historic beatification:

1.       A Historic Mass Is Coming to Savannah

On October 31, an estimated 12,000 faithful will gather at the Savannah Convention Center in Georgia for a historic Beatification Mass. Led by Cardinal Frank Leo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto serving as Papal Legate, the ceremony falls appropriately on All Hallows’ Eve. For those unable to travel to Georgia, the liturgy will be broadcast live nationwide on EWTN.

2. They Practiced Peaceful Integration, Not Coercion

As Spanish missionaries, the friars lived alongside the indigenous Guale people as guests in their existing villages without the backing of Spanish soldiers. The missionaries — Father Pedro de Corpa, Father Blas Rodríguez, Father Miguel de Añon, Brother Antonio de Badajóz, and Father Francisco de Veráscola — learned the local language, respected the community, and integrated Christian and native motifs into daily life.

3. They Died Defending the Sanctity of Marriage

In September 1597, tension arose when Juanillo, a young Guale chief’s heir, sought to take a second wife. Father Pedro de Corpa stood firm in defending Christian teaching on monogamy and opposed Juanillo’s bid for succession. In response, Juanillo led a violent revolt, killing Father Pedro on September 14th, before hunting down the four other friars across the region.

Noting their incredible witness, Savannah Bishop Stephen D. Parkes wrote:

“In our society today, marriage and family life are threatened by continued moral decline and broken social structures. The concept of fidelity in marriage is often shattered by a general lack of commitment. The Georgia Martyrs gave their lives to ensure that in subsequent generations, men and women could seek holiness through the vocation of marriage.”

4. Their Canonization Cause Spans Decades of Effort

The path to recognized sainthood was a long journey led by dedicated Church leaders and historians.

1941: The U.S. bishops formally petitioned Pope Pius XII to beatify the missionaries.

1950: The cause officially began with the appointment of Franciscan Father Marion Habig as the first vice-postulator.

1981: Bishop Raymond W. Lessard of the Diocese of Savannah formally accepted the Franciscan petition and opened the diocesan process.

Modern Advances: Leaders like Atlanta Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, (during his tenure as Bishop of Savannah) and current Savannah Bishop Stephen D. Parkes continued pushing the cause forward, culminating in January 2025 when Pope Francis authorized the decree recognizing their martyrdom.

5. Their Witness Calls for Strengthening Marriage Today

Beyond their historic sacrifice, the friars leave a living legacy for the modern Church. As we remember these soon-to-be-blesseds, we join in this prayer that Bishop Parkes calls us to as we remember their witness to the beauty of marriage:  

“I pray that the message of their heroic martyrdom may resonate with those preparing to enter into a sacramental marriage and with those who have already entered into a covenantal bond. May the martyrs’ sacrifice help generations to uphold the sanctity and beauty of holy matrimony.”

"Remember you must die."

Far from being a gloomy or morbid fixation, memento mori is a powerful spiritual tool designed to help us live richer, more purposeful lives. Here are five essential things to know about this timeless tradition ahead of All Hallows’ Eve, All Saints’ Day, and All Souls’ Day.

1. It Isn't Morbid — It’s a Blueprint for Living Well

To modern ears, “remembering death” sounds dark. But in Christian tradition, meditating on our mortality is actually an antidote to anxiety and trivial distractions. Remembering that our time on earth is finite helps us focus on what truly lasts: love, virtue, and eternity.

As St. Jerome famously reflected from his cave in Bethlehem, keeping the end in sight puts everything into perspective:

“He readily despises all things who always considers that he must die.”

When you remember that you can’t take your bank account, job title, or earthly worries with you into eternity, the temptation to obsess over superficial things vanishes.

2. Saints Kept Real Skulls on Their Desks

If you look at classic religious art, you will often spot saints like St. Francis of Assisi, St. Mary Magdalene, St. Charles Borromeo, and St. Jerome holding or gazing at a human skull. This wasn't theatrical — it was a daily practice.

Saints kept a physical skull (or a visual depiction of one) in their study or prayer space as a tactile reminder to avoid vanity, pride, and procrastination. St. Teresa of Ávila reminded her sisters that staying mindful of eternity cleanses the heart:

“Think often of death, for it gives a soul light to see the true value of all things.”

3. All Hallowtide Is the Ultimate Memento Mori Season

The timing of Halloween is no coincidence. It marks the beginning of All Hallowtide — the three-day liturgical season comprising All Hallows’ Eve (Oct. 31), All Saints’ Day (Nov. 1), and All Souls’ Day (Nov. 2).

While popular culture treats ghosts and skeletons as spooky entertainment, the Church uses these days to proclaim Christ’s victory over the grave. By dressing up, visiting graveyards, lighting candles, and offering prayers for those who have passed, Christians face the reality of death without fear. St. John Chrysostom beautifully captured this triumph over the grave:

 “Hell took a body, and discovered God. It took earth, and encountered Heaven. O Death, where is your sting?”

4. It Is a Daily Call to Conversion

Memento mori isn't about passive waiting; it’s about urgent, active love. In Scripture, Psalm 90 prays:

"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

The saints understood that because we do not know the day or the hour, today is the only moment we have to forgive, to love, and to serve.

St. Francis de Sales encouraged believers to use the thought of death as motivation for daily kindness:

“Consider that one day your body will lie cold and stiff in the grave... Live every day as if it were your last, and you will never sin, but rather fill your life with good works.”

When viewed through this lens, memento mori isn't about dying — it's about waking up.

5. Death Has Lost Its Final Sting

The ultimate secret of Christian memento mori is its ending. For those who walk with Christ, death is not a doorway into nothingness, but a passage into eternal life. The skull is not an emblem of defeat, but a reminder that earth is merely a temporary residence on the way to our true home.

As St. Thérèse of Lisieux wrote as she drew near the end of her earthly life:

 “I am not dying; I am entering into life.”

This All Hallows’ Eve, when you see a skeleton or a jack-o'-lantern flickering on a porch, let it be a gentle, joyful nudge: live fully today, love without measure, and keep your eyes fixed on Heaven.

At least 30% of Americans consult fortune tellers, astrology, and tarot cards at least once per year, revealed a 2025 Pew Research study. Other studies have also shown that people even go deeper into these dangerous practices, including the sad reality that more people are identifying as witches.

In a powerful new book, Confessions of a Former Witch, an anonymous former witch shares her story of conversion from curses, tarot cards, and animal sacrifices to being delivered from demonic obsession and finding healing within the Catholic Church. She reveals the sinister and predatory nature of witchcraft, sharing how making a deal with the devil for power and answers led her into anger and despair.

As she writes in her book:

“Once you open the door to the demonic, it is hard to shut again.” 

Readers will witness that struggle and walk with the author as she finds her way back to Jesus Christ.

The core message of the book: The peace, belonging, and healing you seek is found in Jesus Christ alone. 

Msgr. Stephen Rossetti, exorcist and founder of the St. Michael Center (which the author describes as being a vital part of her deliverance) wrote the foreword for the book, saying:

“I would first affirm the reality of what the author describes: her encounters with the demonic and her liberation in Christ.” 

He continues:

 “…I can confirm the central insights of her account. Her words are true. Nothing is exaggerated.”

Speaking to the author about her story, she shares more details about her own experience and what led her back to the faith. 

Why did you decide to share your testimony publicly while keeping your identity anonymous?

“When I came to the full realization of what I had been doing and understood God’s amazing grace, I promised Him I would expose Satan’s game for what it is so others might read it and not fall into the same trap. It was an extremely difficult story to tell so I would not have otherwise written it for publication. Today, it is best for my family that I remain anonymous. My hope is that someday when we are all walking in the Lord, this will not be required any longer.”

What did you discover in Christianity that you had been searching for through witchcraft?

“Peace. When I found out about the attack on our son (she outlines in the book how he was abused in high school), my focus became laser-like. I wanted nothing more than to avenge the wrong done to him and would have done anything – including entering into an agreement with the evil one – to see that happen. Primed from years of following the New Age philosophy, at the time of our family’s crises, I believed I had the ability to control my family’s world. Witchcraft promised access to ‘secret knowledge’ that would elevate my control, giving me the ability to achieve revenge on the predator who hurt our son.”

“What I discovered in Christianity was the realization that I am not – and never will be – in control. And this is an incredible blessing. If we can find it in ourselves to hand over our lives to the Lord we will be given His peace that truly does ‘pass all understanding.’”

If you could speak directly to a young person experimenting with witchcraft or New Age spirituality today, what would you say?

“First I want to speak to parents worried about their child dabbling in witchcraft or New Age spirituality. As Ephesians 6:12 says: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Before you speak or interact with your child in any way make sure to put on your armor of God. “

“With the approach of Halloween, I want to remind anyone dabbling on the fringes of darkness, you need to be aware you are already in over your head. Halloween is (considered) one of the most sacred holidays in their ‘wheel of the year’ (calendar). It is considered a time when the veil is the thinnest between the physical and spiritual realm and therefore, they use Halloween night for dark magic and sorcery."

What do you hope readers take away from your story?

“I want readers to know that how you live out your faith impacts others in ways you may never know. If you are an elderly women who says ‘God bless you’ to the clerk when you check out at the grocery story; a teen who speaks about his faith while working out at the gym; a busy mom who still makes time to volunteer with Catholic Charities; a couple that quietly prays before meals in restaurants; or a priest who is brave enough to approach an angry, bitter, standoffish person, you all make a difference. With that, I pray we can all follow Saint Paul and remember to always keep the Faith!”

Check out Confessions of a Former Witch, now available through Sophia Institute Press and wherever books are sold.

A group of Catholic students at the University of Illinois brought the Gospel to the heart of campus—using chalk to write all 21 chapters of the Gospel of John on the Main Quad.

Newman Hall and St. John’s Catholic Newman Center shared the evangelization effort on Instagram, opening their caption with a playful question:

“Hey ChatGPT, how long would it take to chalk the entire Gospel of John on the Quad?”

The answer? These Catholic Illini were willing to put in the work!

The post credited Conor Bergan and John Bierman with leading the group of Catholic Illini and Newman Hall residents as they spent an evening writing the Gospel across the quad. The Newman Center also shared the initiative on its LinkedIn account.

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A post shared by Newman Hall at the University of Illinois (@newmanhalllife)

Bringing the Gospel to Campus

The students’ project took their faith beyond the walls of the Newman Center and into a shared campus space, giving passersby an opportunity to encounter Scripture on their daily walk.

About 50 students participated, working from 8 to 11:30 p.m. on October 19th to complete the project. Both of the organizers, Bergan and Bierman, are juniors and resident advisors at the Newman Center.

Their medium was temporary, but their purpose was clear: evangelization, one chalk-written chapter at a time!

Through a service called HopeSync, a pregnancy center can send you a request to pray for a woman who is considering abortion while she is meeting with one of its advocates.

The premise is simple, and signing up for text alerts takes seconds. After signing up, you can customize the types of messages you would like to receive.

When you receive a text, take a moment to pray for the mother, the baby, and those meeting with her and walking alongside her. 

According to the Guttmacher Institute, an estimated 1,126,000 abortions were provided by U.S. clinicians in 2025. With more prayers during the crucial decision process, we can ask God to help change hearts and support these mothers.

The mother’s identity remains private, but your prayer still carries all the same weight. Pregnancy centers can also use the service to send other prayer needs and updates as they come up. 

According to HopeSync, the service has sent 4,500,000 messages and supported 250,000 clients. It’s a simple way to come together in prayer when it’s needed most.

Sign up for texts here, and learn more about the service from a pregnancy center here.

Erin Hall (@oscilatey on Instagram) shared the moment in an Instagram reel that has drawn more than 810,000 views and 35,000 likes.

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A post shared by Erin Hall✨ (@oscilatey)

“The surprise was on us when Father John slipped off his fedora and came back in his vestments,” Hall wrote in the caption. “That’s one way to get us all to Mass.”

The post also included a loving birthday tribute to Adams, along with a little wisdom from the newly minted 95-year-old.

“Happy Birthday @betormrk,” Hall wrote to her grandmother. “Thanks for teaching us to stay busy and ‘make do’. Love ya!”

A milestone birthday, a surprise from Father John, and an opportunity to gather for Mass—a joyful way to celebrate 95 years!

Known worldwide as the patron saint of impossible causes, lost hopes, and “how on earth are we going to fix this?” moments, he’s the go-to advocate when plan A, B, and C have all crashed and burned.

Whether you’re facing a personal hurdle, eyeing a tough decision, or just wondering why this saint has so much star power, here are five fun, fascinating facts about St. Jude.

1. 1. He Suffers from a Classic Case of Bad Name PR

First things first: St. Jude is not Judas Iscariot.

For centuries, St. Jude had a bit of a public relations problem simply because his name sounded virtually identical to the apostle who betrayed Jesus. To avoid awkward mix-ups, early Christians called him ‘Jude Thaddeus’ or just ‘Thaddeus.’ If you’ve ever had your name confused with someone who ruined the room’s vibe, you can deeply sympathize with St. Jude’s centuries-long branding dilemma.

2. He’s the Ultimate ‘Underdog’ Cousin

St. Jude wasn’t just a distant fan; he was one of the original twelve apostles and, according to longstanding Church tradition, a close relative of Jesus — likely a cousin.

Because people were hesitant to pray for his intercession for so long due to the ‘Judas’ name confusion, tradition holds that St. Jude became extra enthusiastic about helping anyone who did bother to ask. Medieval mystics like St. Bridget of Sweden eventually wrote about visions encouraging people to invoke him, earning him a reputation as the saint who specializes in taking on cases everyone else gave up on.

3. His Accessories Have Serious Backstory

If you look at a holy card or statue of St. Jude, he looks like he’s ready for a high-stakes adventure. His traditional portrait features three distinct details:

The Tongue of Fire: Sitting right on top of his head, reminding everyone he was there in the Upper Room at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit showed up in style.

The Medallion on His Chest: Featuring an image of Christ's face. According to ancient legend, St. Jude brought a miraculous cloth bearing Jesus’ likeness to King Abgar of Edessa, instantly curing the king of a fatal illness.

The Club or Axe: A nod to his final, heroic chapter as a martyr preaching in Persia alongside St. Simon.

4. Hollywood Royalty Owes Him Big Time

One of the most famous modern devotions to St. Jude started with a broke actor in the 1930s.

A young, struggling entertainer named Danny Thomas was down to his last few dollars and at a complete career dead-end. Desperate, he prayed a novena to St. Jude, promising that if the saint helped him find his way, he’d build a shrine in his honor.

Thomas’ career exploded shortly after, and he kept his promise in the grandest way possible — founding St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in 1962, which provides free, world-class pediatric cancer care to this day.

5. He Inspired the Nine-Day "Emergency Button"

When people need St. Jude’s help, they usually fire up a novena — nine consecutive days of prayer. The tradition comes straight from the Bible, modeling the nine days the apostles and Mary spent praying between the Ascension and Pentecost.

From families dealing with wild real estate nightmares to students praying over impossible final exams, the St. Jude Novena has become the ultimate spiritual "emergency button" for over two thousand years.

So the next time you find yourself stuck between a rock, a hard place, and an impossible situation, remember St. Jude has been handling hopeless cases since the first century — and he’s always ready for a challenge!