A friend told me about a deacon whose homily received criticism from several parishioners. He didn’t speak about pro-life voting, the evils of IVF and contraception, annulments, LGBT ideology, or even Hell—topics often missing from pulpits today. Instead, he preached on caring for one’s body, drawing from that day’s Gospel about the Mission of the Twelve (Mt. 10:5-15), focusing on Jesus’ command to “heal the sick.”
The deacon urged parishioners to “heal the sick,” which includes “healing their own bodies” through healthy eating and exercise. The rise in obesity, diabetes, and lifestyle-related illnesses is obvious, yet many still ignore the message. Many people neglect their bodies—sometimes from poor self-image, sometimes from lack of discipline. But as Christians, we are called to be good stewards of both body and soul, knowing that our glorified bodies will be united with our souls for eternity in Heaven or Hell.
Love of God includes caring for ourselves, not from vanity, but from gratitude for His gift of life. Original Sin makes this difficult. Some fail to love themselves as God does, while others wrongly think that “God loves me as I am” means no change is needed. The saints, however, practiced mortification, temperance, and even frequent exercise.
Some of the greatest teachers when it comes to healthy living, especially exercise and eating, are the saints. Several valued physical exercise as part of a balanced, God-centered life. Soon-to-be-canonized St. Pier Giorgio Frassati was an avid mountain climber, skier, and swimmer, often incorporating recreation with prayer and friendship. Pope St. John Paul II hiked, kayaked, and skied throughout his life, seeing sports as a way to strengthen both body and spirit. Prior to his conversion, St. Ignatius of Loyola was a skilled swordsman. And the also soon-to-be-canonized St. Carlo Acutis rode his bicycle and hiked in Assisi.
These saints recognized that movement, whether on a mountain trail or ski slope, could honor God by keeping the body, His temple, strong and ready for His service. Or as St. Paul said, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1 Cor. 6:19–20).
Many saints notably practiced healthy eating as well—not for vanity, but as an act of temperance and gratitude to God. St. Hildegard of Bingen, a twelfth-century Benedictine abbess and Doctor of the Church, wrote extensively on nutrition, herbal medicine, and the balance of body and soul. The Rule of St. Benedict encouraged moderation in food and drink, avoiding excess while ensuring strength for prayer and work. St. Catherine of Siena lived on very simple diet, combining fasting with the nourishment needed for her demanding work. Even St. Francis of Paola promoted a diet of fruits, vegetables, and bread, avoiding meat and fish, to live a more austere lifestyle. These saints saw healthy eating as integral to holiness, so as to serve God better and protect their souls from vice.
It’s not as though every saint was slim, either. St. Thomas Aquinas was said to be rotund, while Bl. Columba Marmion was “a bit on the heavy side.” As virtuous integration of health of the mind, body, and soul led these holy men and women to understand, we are not called to serve fasting, fitness, food, or health as an idol. We are called to cooperate with God to grow in virtue, eradicate our vices, and understand our minds, bodies, and souls as gifts from our Father and Creator.
As a husband and father, I always look to the saints as my examples. These holy men and women, along with Jesus’ words in Scripture, remind me to care for myself spiritually, mentally, and physically, so I can fulfill my vocation. My wife and every person created by God have that same call.
We also will be accountable for our children’s health. After all, they are God’s children entrusted to us. Do we feed them with garbage food? Do we let them binge watch screens? Or, do we feed them with nourishing food without toxic ingredients? Do we make sure they get enough exercise and sleep each night? The same applies for us. Unfortunately, few Catholic resources address whole-person wellness.
“You don’t have to chase the world’s definition of attractive. You were already created with dignity, value, and beauty,” says Lindsay Fullerman, founder of Full of Grace Wellness, who struggled with negative body image despite her deep faith. “God sees you fully, knows you deeply, and loves you completely. It’s about becoming the best version of you—physically, emotionally, and spiritually for Him.”
The deacon was right—Christ calls us to heal the sick, beginning with ourselves. This includes healing lies we believe about our worth, overcoming gluttony or vanity, and seeing Christ in the mirror! We are made in His image and likeness, we are called to live like it. God loves us as we are, but He also wants us healthy and whole—body and soul. God wants to transform us into saints. This truth may hurt at times, but it needs to be preached.
Author’s Note: On September 19, Lindsay Fullerman will launch Health and Holiness, a 13-week program combining Catholic spirituality, Theology of the Body, and practical guidance in nutrition, movement, and prayer. Unlike secular wellness programs that focus solely on the body, her approach integrates the truth that we are both body and soul. To learn more about Lindsay and Full of Grace of Wellness, check out her website.
Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash
