Christina and Miguel foster faith, vocation throughout the rhythms of life
Miguel and Cristina Acosta see their marriage vocation as “intimately tied” to passing their faith to their four children: Mateo, 16, Francisco, 14, Dominic, 6, and Chiara, 4. Their experiences show how at the heart of their home in the domestic church, an active faith practiced in daily life answers God’s call to nurture the seed of faith He places in every heart. It reveals God in the ordinary and opens eyes to what had not been seen before.
“Living out our vocation helps us to understand our calling as husbands and wives,” Cristina explains, referring to an openness to life, and a commitment to the principles of self-gift beautifully expressed in St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. This sense of vocation informs and guides their parenting with steadfast hope that their children will “see the point of marriage as unitive and procreative.”
“We see it as living out the faith in the rhythm of our family life,” Miguel expounds, further emphasizing how “we try to work together on reaching each kid where they are.”
Daily routines matter
“Faith isn’t just something you do on Sundays or something that’s abstract or distant,” Miguel says, convinced that daily faith habits advance the recognition of God’s presence in our lives. He describes a day-in-the-life of the Acosta family beginning with Scripture, daily Mass and mental prayer. They also pray before meals and end the night with a family rosary.
The couple intentionally chose their home, which is within walking distance to their parish, Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Sacramento, “to be close to the sacraments,” Cristina says, advocating not only physical closeness but also spiritual closeness. She reflects on the “seasons” of child-rearing and the special joy of bringing them to daily Mass, transitioning to play time afterwards with friends, and her own appreciation of these moments as a typical part of the day.
This past summer Mateo easily made the choice to get up early and join dad at daily Mass. Cristina talks about their decisions to have their children “come along to everything” as they grow hoping that later in their independence, their faith practices will continue.
The family also stresses virtue, not only as practical, but as the model for Christian living.
“We try to honor and respect each other, apologize when we need to, and ask for forgiveness when we need to,” Miguel imparts, hinting that “in small ways, hidden ways” Christian virtue presents itself “in the rhythm of the day.”
Cristina homeschools three of the four children ensuring academic and faith formation with a Catholic curriculum. Miguel serves as a lector and Grand Knight for his Knights of Columbus council. Together, they witness faithful devotion, virtue and leadership to help their children learn and embrace their faith and the teachings that can ultimately guide them to their future vocations.
Faith made real
Miguel tells of a recent father-son pilgrimage experience with Mateo to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. The sentimental “coming-of-age” trip made memories and inspired an unsuspecting teen taken by the power of the shrine. Miguel offers his favorite takeaway of the moments they shared while father and son looked up at the tilma.
“He said, ‘you know before we came, it was almost like a fairy tale,’” Miguel recounts of Mateo’s response to the sacred site and venerated image. The experience made it real for Mateo. As they pray the rosary and reflect on the image in their home, Our Lady of Guadalupe has new meaning for him.
The Acostas concede the same trip would not work for their daughter, Chiara. However, they actively engage in discovering, creating and sharing all the necessary, age-appropriate materials and opportunities needed for each child’s respective development. From Theology of the Body programs to youth groups, they instill a love for their Catholic faith and the message that “we are gift to each other,” says Cristina, stressing parents’ responsibility to make faith real, tangible and relevant for each life stage.
The challenge of being a parent
When asked whether she thinks her children will stay faithful, Cristina says, “We are planting seeds and doing the best we can to honor God’s will in our lives, always discerning and asking, ‘How can I best serve the Lord, my spouse and my children?’” The rest, she says, is in the hands of the Lord.
“The Lord loves our children more than we do,” Cristina says with utmost confidence in His plan. She acknowledges “as a mom I have to try hard not to over evaluate where my children are spiritually.” The Acostas seek peace in simply putting forth the effort to live out their vocations and trust that the Holy Spirit will bring their children to spiritual maturity.
In the meantime, the children show signs that the faith is taking hold. The couple holds hope in their hearts when they see Mateo reflect and wear his scapular from his pilgrimage, when the children initiate morning prayers, and when the older boys commit to altar serving. They notice when their six-year-old offers a spontaneous blessing, or when the entire family kneels in thanksgiving after Mass. In the rhythms of life, faith and grace appear.
“As parents, we have to be patient and at peace as we wait for our children’s faith to mature,” Cristina says. She thinks back on how the couple’s faith had lapsed before a reversion in their 30s.
“Our Lady brought us back to the Church,” Miguel adds, expressing how the family’s devotion is rooted in their consecration to Jesus through Mary according to St. Louis de Montfort.
“There have been a lot of miracles along the way,” Cristina affirms, certain that only by God’s grace, the sacraments and personal prayer have they come to understand the beauty of the Catholic faith and God’s will for their marriage and family.
LEARN MORE
About marriage and family life in the Diocese of Sacramento at www.scd.org/marriage-and-family-life