New year, new opportunities to grow in faith!
The start of a new year is the perfect time to pause, reflect, and think about how we can deepen our relationship with God. Coming up with New Years resolutions is, as we all know, a popular way to commit at the beginning of the year to a goal. It doesn’t have to be complicated—sometimes, the smallest changes can have the biggest impact.
Whether it’s finding a new way to pray, joining a community, or learning more about the saints, there are so many ways to make this year a little more Christ-centered.
If you’re looking for some ideas, we’ve got you covered! Here is FOCUS’s ultimate list of Catholic New Year resolutions to inspire your spiritual journey in 2025:
1. Join a local Catholic group. Connect with other Catholics through organizations like your city’s local young adults group, the Knights of Columbus, or the Legion of Mary.
2. Learn to pray the Liturgy of the Hours using resources like the Divine Office app or the iBreviary app.
3. Commit to attending one Catholic conference or retreat this year – SEEK or Steubenville conferences are a couple of great options!
4. Practice Imaginative Prayer. Also known as “Ignatian Contemplation,” explore this form of contemplative prayer to foster a deeper connection with God.
5. Join or start a Catholic book or podcast club and engage in discussions on faith-based literature or podcast episodes.
6. Join a parish Bible study or start your own to study scripture in community. There are also plenty of online ones, so you have no reason not to! Some parishes offer live studies online, and reach out to us to see if FOCUS has one for you!
7. Volunteer as a catechist and teach religious education to children or adults in your parish.
8. Join a Rosary group (or start your own). And join FOCUS once a month to pray with the global FOCUS community.
9. Participate in outreach programs that serve the poor, elderly, or marginalized.
10. Start a family prayer tradition and establish regular prayer times with your family, such as morning prayers or bedtime blessings.
11. Read the Bible in a year using the “Bible in a Year” podcast with Fr. Mike Schmitz.
12. Volunteer at a local soup kitchen or homeless shelter once a month. Try out Catholic Charities, or if you live in Philadelphia or Denver get connected with Christ in the City. Check out our guide on how to find Catholic volunteer opportunities.
13. Read “The Imitation of Christ” by Thomas à Kempis.
14. Become a FOCUS Missionary or work at our headquarters, if you feel the Lord’s call!
15. Join a local Catholic group on Meetup or Eventbrite to connect with like-minded individuals.
16. Learn about a new saint each month and try to emulate their virtues.
17. Memorize one new prayer each month.
18. Commit to fasting one day a month for a special intention.
19. Create a home altar or prayer corner in your living space.
20. Start a Marian Consecration. Use the 33 Days to Morning Glory book by Fr. Michael Gaitley to consecrate yourself to Mary.
21. Host a Catholic movie night. Screen films like “Radiating Joy: The Michelle Duppong Story” or check out our list of recommendations here!
22. Celebrate feast days with special meals by incorporating foods and traditions associated with saints’ feast days into your meals.
23. Explore Catholic art and music: Visit museums with religious art collections or attend concerts featuring sacred music.
24. Participate in the First Fridays Devotion.
25. Read one encyclical or apostolic exhortation from a pope this year.
With these 25 Catholic New Years resolutions under your belt, you’re on your way to a fruitful and joyful year. Let’s make this year about growing in grace, finding joy in our faith, and walking with Christ every step of the way.
Additional Resources
Looking for creative suggestions like these Catholic New Years resolutions? Check out our other practical lists and posts such as: 3 Tips: How to Engage in Politics as Catholics, 19 Ways to Show Appreciation to Your Parish Priest, Examination of Conscience: A Complete List, 5 Ways to Pray to Mary, and more!
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