Ways to Make 2026 Holy

As we are counting down the days to 2026, we pause and reflect on ways to become better at striving for holiness in the New Year. Liturgically, the new year began during the 1st Sunday of Advent. However, the world will begin it at the stroke of midnight on January 1st.

Attend Mass

Whether it’s the weekly obligation or during the week, the Mass invites us to encounter Jesus daily as we relive the history of salvation. Make an effort to not only attend Mass on Saturday evening, Sunday and required Holy Days, but consider going during the week before work or when off.

Take part in podcasts for the Bible, Catechism, and or Rosary

Ascension continues to find its way to the top of the podcast charts. Bible in a Year is turning five years in 2026. All three made their way to the No.1 download slot and many are either considering the Catholic faith or returning to the faith. It is a game-changer for many.

Support Catholic businesses

Our Catholic businesses have much to offer us to keep our faith going. Be sure to support them when sacraments approach or when they need a gift for those coming into the church this Easter.

Make a weekly Holy Hour

St. Teresa of Calcutta believed that there is a power behind every Catholic that makes a Holy Hour. Do make time to be present with Jesus an hour a week or more.

Pray and demonstrate peacefully outside of an abortion facility

Catholic and Pro-Life? Show it. Get involved with the prolife efforts. Pray outside of an abortion facility in your community. We should also give thanks that nearly 70 abortion facilities have closed their doors in 2025. Yet, pro-lifers must step up their game to make abortion unthinkable.

It is time to be on the side where God makes life a top priority.

Attend the National, Local, and State Marches for Life

Make plans to attend the March for Life in DC, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and even your state capital and hometown.

It is time for us to put our pro-life convictions into action by being present outside of abortion facilities, encouraging our priests to be more vocal on church teachings, and engaging the community on the issue of abortion. Hearts and minds can be changed when we have apostolic spirit of the early church going about preaching the Gospel of Life even if we must shed blood for Christ the King. D

Go on retreat

The culture and society is demanding. We may hit a point on our spiritual journey that every now and again we must step back and recharge. Do consider a retreat. Whether it be a day or weekend long, it is good to refresh your spiritual soul.

Pray the rosary

We are still going through hard times on a global scale. It is time for our nation to heal by praying the Holy Rosary. Pray it in the morning, during breaks at work or classes, or before bed.

The rosary is our weapon to combat the demons that are prowling the world to ruin souls.

Bonus: Consider doing a 54-day rosary novena.

Consecrate yourself to Mary, St. Joseph, or the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Every first Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday are opportunities to consecrate ourselves to one of the holiest members of the Holy Family. Use it as an opportunity to develop a devotion to either.

Fast and Abstain from meat on Fridays

Yes, abstaining from meat is attainable all year long. It can be done. Let alone fasting on Fridays from not just food but worldly pleasures as a way to free a soul from purgatory, an unborn child to escape death, or for the salvation of one’s soul.

Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet

Every day at 3 PM is known as the hour of great mercy. It symbolizes the hour Christ died so that he could conquer death and free us from sin.

Do works of mercy

There are 14 ways to put the faith into action. Each work of mercy is an act of love. Without love, there can be no mercy. Without mercy, we won’t see the face of Christ in others.

Support Lions for public office

2026 is going to be a challenging year for American politics. It is a midterm cycle, and we do need faithful men and women of faith and character to hold public office that will support and defend not just the constitution but church teachings.

Meanwhile, we must do our part to expose the corruption in our communities while also helping candidates to unseat woke incumbents and those who are out of touch with America. 

Pray for our departed

Purgatory is crowded. Maybe it’s time to make heaven crowded when we pray and do acts for a departed soul and a forgotten one in purgatory.

Adopt a Saint for the year

Invite a saint to walk with you during 2026. Jennifer Fulweiler has a generator for you to pick the saint who will be by your side throughout the year. 

Use your talents to give glory to God

God has given us talents. How are we using them? They must be used for the glory of God.

Take part in church groups

Many churches have groups for women, young adults, teens, and so on. What better way to nurture new and old friendships than participating in church activities.

Forgive others

Holding a grudge? Someone hurt you? It is time to forgive. It is not worth holding grudges anymore as it is bad physically and spiritually.

Pray for vocations and Pope Leo XIV

Have you been praying for the pope? Keep him in mind when praying the rosary. Offer an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be for his intentions after the rosary.

Also, pray for more vocations in the church, especially holy men to say “yes” to God’s call to the priesthood.

Donate to charity

Catholic organizations can use help. It’s not just talents and skills but also alms. Consider donating to a pro-life charity, helping the homeless, or even donating old clothes to help the poor and needy.

Have Hard Conversations

Charlie Kirk had one mission in life, and that is to talk about topics that people avoid.  

Topics of faith must be discussed with friends, family, and even those who have little to no knowledge about Catholicism. The goal is not to win them over. Instead, the seeds must be planted to get the wheels turning. In time, it can encourage the person to go deeper into knowing more.

These ways will bring about the Kingdom of God on earth. Christ wants us to bring his glory on earth before we obtain the rewards of heaven.

Let’s get to work now. Happy New Year