From Autism to Amen: 10 Surprising Notes from a Catholic-Mom-Wife-Sister-Latina's Prayer Life!

by Crystal H. Torres

Hey guys, its your sister in Christ, Crystal and here to tell you the 10 things you need to know when people get up when praying.

As an autistic adult, a mom, and sister and a wife these are one of the important things you gotta have. Of course you have God, Mother Mary, and all the angels and Saints with you.

Well, when you know you know, let's break it down here we go!

1. Go to Mass to Receive Christ!

Catholic Saints (yes, you got that right!) have said many things about the Catholic Mass which is a central act of worship for Catholics. Here are some of the quotes from saints about the mass.

• “The celebration of Holy mass is as valuable as the death of Jesus on the cross” -St. Thomas Aquinas

• “If we really understood the mass, we would die of joy.” - St. John Vianney

The Catholic Mass, a complex of prayers and ceremonies has been a central part of the Catholic Church for almost 2,000 years! And I wasn’t even born yet!

That was mind blowing! PEW PEW!

Jesus instituted the Mass at the Last Supper on the first Holy Thursday. The earliest account of the Mass in the bible is in St. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, written around 53-57 A.D.

The mass was originally celebrated in Aramaic, but later prayers were in Greek and other ancient languages. Even in English and the early practices as more people converted to Catholicism, the masses moved into larger buildings and halls. And eventually to churches.

Today the masses are celebrated in all the languages of the world in both western and Eastern Churches. Catholics require the faithful to attend mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation.

So much info right!! But it's worth knowing. I didn’t even know this and we are learning together!

2. Pull out your Rosary and pray

“The Rosary is a weapon from these times” - St. Padre Pio Quoted this back in his time. When we are to pray the rosary, we have it always in our hands while praying. It's a must from everyone, especially at home.

The “Rosary” comes from the word Rose which was a symbol for Mary throughout much of the middle ages. Early Rosaries were strung on a strong thread. Often silk, but modern ones are more often made as a series of chain link beads.

Today, most rosary beads are made of glass, plastic, or wood, but some are made from the seeds of the “rosary pea” or “bread tree”.

At 6pm, after dinner, I pray the rosary by myself in my room and I pray for my loved ones, my children, my hubby, you name it. I spent some time with him after a crazy day of being with kids on a summer day.

And as a mom, it’s mom-mode day every day. Dealing with doctor appointments, allergies sneezing when I am out the door, on the go to and from home. You name it! I make the time, so if you haven’t done it, give it a go!

3. Read your Bible

In the first book of Corinthians (1 Corinthians 4:13) the bible calls all believers “Saints”.

“To the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, the called saints, with all those who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, who is theirs and ours.”

So in the mornings before doing anything, and after I drop my kids off to school, I will read the Gospels in the daily Mass readings. I use my Bible to start my daily routine, and afterward too, to pray and apply that in my everyday life.

It really does make a great day and a great start to your morning!

For me, since I started, it just makes things so better! I have never smiled with joy and a big grin on my face!! 😀

4. Prayer - even with a margarita

Now did I say prayer? I mean it wholeheartedly. Wherever you are, find a place where you can find time.

I recommend in the morning when you're either awake before the kids wake up, after dropping kids off at school, or at night when everyone’s in bed sleeping and dreaming about cool things that happened to you, if you know what I mean… Vacation, vacation, vacation… whew!

And a margarita in your hand, of course! You are sitting down in paradise because you as a mama - or dad - deserve it. I agree!

So in one of the Scriptures in the book of Matthew, Chapter 6 explains

“when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door and pray to your father in secret. And your father who sees in secret will repay you.”

5. Bible Journaling

This is one of the things I did when I first got introduced to Bible journaling back in 2020.

The pandemic impacted my mental illness. It took a toll on me when there was just nothing to do, and everything was closed. Zoom calls, friends nights, movies… everything just shut down, and staying at home was a crazy and chaotic.

I decided to list some things that I am grateful for.

So every day, I started writing down what happens in the Bible events that ties into the Scripture of today’s readings. And I notice how it makes me feel when things are going down. I think about what I can do to either fix the situation, or I can write it down and reflect on we can apply Scripture’s advice once again.

Then after we pray for the Holy Spirit and the Lord to guide us.

6. Meditation at the Blessed Sacrament

Did someone say adoration? You in the back! You’re awesome!

I mean, this is a top priority for us to take some time in adoration and spend time in silence with the blessed Sacrament.

The feeling is very peaceful. Think about it. After adoration, I feel an amazing experience, because you’re praying in silence, and silence is discipline.

In silence we are renewed. The blessed Sacrament, also known as the Eucharist, has a long history that dates back in the early days of Christianity. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke describe Jesus sharing a meal with his disciples (the last Supper) before Jesus’s death, and associating the meal with his crucifixion the next day.

The Eucharist continues to re-present this mystery throughout the church’s history, down to today, and way into the future!

7. Coffee

What do you mean, coffee? Before you get on to me, I just love being a coffee drinker.

I recommend doing this in the mornings, especially ordering your favorite iced coffee. And I use this while reading the Gospels, daily Mass readings, and Bible journaling, because you’re about to have an awesome conversation with God.

I do mean a one-on-one, for those that want to know, but how? I just said silence, did I not? Well, no, not really in this case.

While you're praying, you’re having a conversation. It’s always good to have a best friend, bestie, companion, someone different to the ones you’re used to - husband, friends, mom, family, etc.

It’s you and God, alone, and while you read, we start by making the Sign of the Cross and read the Gospel readings for today's Mass.

Then ask the Holy Spirit to apply that reading in your everyday life. Think of the most recent event that happened to you, so that you can see what you can work on. Because everything is a work in progress, amirite?

The best case scenario is when prayer and situations transform us through the love of Jesus.

8. Bible Study

Now Bible study has been a part of my life since my teens, up until now. If you don’t have one, get one going in your parish.

It’s awesome to host one either at a friend's house, someone you know, or at a restaurant. We all gather a group of friends to start reading a book. Currently, I am reading How to pray like Mary by Sonjia Corbitt. She wrote an amazing book.

I recommend it to any sister in Christ who is interested! Host a women’s Bible study or a co-ed if you can, then they can invite their spouses.

Make a potluck for all the guests - whether it's full of enchiladas, spaghetti, tacos, etc. Seriously, though… everyone loves Mexican. You name it! Pick a date when anyone will be most available. We usually do this on Monday evenings. Or you can do it anytime of day. Apart from those who work, they would do it in the evenings so I recommend this!

9. Serving the Lord

Serving the Lord? What do I mean by that?

I mean by showing your talents to him. Since we were born, we were born to do something. So what are your talents? What do you like doing on a daily basis? Do you like to sing? Act? What is your favorite hobby that you can share with others in your parish?

At my church, I would do it all. So I started to help in RCIA back in 2011 after my confirmation. I decided to be a table leader in helping others get their sacraments done, and I was a sponsor for three years straight.

I then moved on to a woman’s group, and I lasted there until I moved to Houston in 2018. I then served for more things than you can think of. Yes, I then served by acting in 2022 as a camper out in the wilderness for the children’s VBS.

I was the funny Cris Towers - a clumsy, funny-looking, chubby lady with short hair. After acting, I decided to join the Choir. Still singing till this day after the 10am mass every Sunday, so you can catch me there!

Serving the Lord is not only showing your talents, but that you are pleasing the Lord. In the reading according to the book of Ephesians 6:7–8 it says

“Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free."

So it’s important that you serve him and you show those talents to him. Whatever you do, do whatever he tells you.

10. Retreats

Retreats have been part of my life since 2011, when I first went on an Acts retreat. It was a life changing experience for me. I was on the team a couple years later, and led the rosary. It was amazing.

If you haven’t been on a retreat, sign up and invite a friend to join you. And you will have the best spiritual spa day (that’s what I’m talking about), and you will come out a brand new person.

Make it awesome and enjoy that time with other sisters, with other brothers and spend the time with God!

So there you have my 10 things I think about in prayer as an autistic mom!

I’m your sister Crystal H. Torres, until next time!

Hit me up in the comments and let’s have fun. :)