A Catholic Journey

Episode Summary
What does it take to truly find your faith? For Jessica Diaz, it took losing both of her parents — 30 days apart — in January 2022.
In this very first episode of A Catholic Journey, Jessica shares her personal testimony. She grew up Catholic in name but never really practiced the faith — Easter Mass here, Ash Wednesday there, no Bible, no real relationship with God. It wasn't until grief brought her to her knees that she finally heard Him calling.
She shares the moment she walked into her church alone for the very first time, lit two candles in front of the Blessed Mother, sat down in a pew, and just cried — and how that one quiet act set off a chain reaction that changed everything.
 
If you've ever felt distant from God, distant from your faith, or like grief has completely hollowed you out — this episode is where the journey begins.
In This Episode, You'll Hear:
⭐ Jessica's testimony — growing up as a surface-level Catholic and what that really looked like ⭐ The moment grief cracked her open — losing both parents 30 days apart and feeling like an orphan at 41
⭐ The quiet nudge that changed everything — how God called her back to church one school drop-off morning at a time
⭐ Why she decided to complete her Confirmation as an adult — and why she once couldn't wait to skip it
⭐ How faith and grief intertwine — and why finding God didn't cancel out her grief, it just changed how she carries it
Scripture Referenced in This Episode
Psalm 34:18
Matthew 11:28
Resources Mentioned
🎙️ The Bible in a Year Podcast with Fr. Mike Schmitz
📖 Ascension Press Bible (affiliate link — Jessica receives a small commission at no cost to you)
Listener Reflection Is there a nudge on your heart that you've been ignoring? What would happen if you just showed up — even if you didn't know what to say or do? 🙏🏻
Enjoyed This Episode? If this episode touched your heart, it would mean so much if you:
✔️ Subscribed to A Catholic Journey
✔️ Left a review — it helps others who need this find the podcast
✔️ Shared this episode with someone walking through grief or searching for their way back to God
Let's Stay Connected
📱 Instagram: instagram.com/mimi.and.manuel
🌐 Newsletter & more: mimiandmanuel.com
💌 Email Jessica: mimiandmanuel@gmail.com
🙏🏻 Where Jesus leads the way, we are called to follow.

Episode Summary
Life after grief can feel overwhelming — but faith gives us hope.
Welcome to A Catholic Journey, a podcast hosted by Jessica Diaz where honest conversations about loss, faith, and healing take center stage. This is a space to explore what it means to lean on God in tough times, deepen your understanding of the Catholic faith, and find grace in the journey — even when the path forward feels unclear.
Whether Jessica is navigating loss, seeking truth, or simply looking to grow in faith, one thing is certain: no one has to walk this road alone. Together, we learn, we heal, and we surrender to God's plan — one step at a time.
💛 "Where Jesus leads the way, we are called to follow."
What to Expect on A Catholic Journey:
🙏🏻 Real, honest conversations about grief and faith
📖 Scripture-based encouragement rooted in the Catholic tradition
💛 Practical steps for growing closer to God in hard seasons
🤝 A community of fellow travelers on this faith journey
Subscribe now so you never miss a new episode!
Let's Stay Connected
📱 Instagram: instagram.com/mimi.and.manuel
🌐 Newsletter & more: mimiandmanuel.com
💌 Email Jessica: mimiandmanuel@gmail.com
🙏🏻 Where Jesus leads the way, we are called to follow.
Keywords Catholic podcast, faith after grief, Catholic faith journey, leaning on God, hope after loss, Catholic woman podcast, growing in faith, grief and healing, surrendering to God, Catholic encouragement podcast