Back in August, we traveled to Mexico City together — a trip that left both of us undone in the best way. So in honor of her feast, today we’re talking about Our Lady of Guadalupe, the story behind her apparitions, and what she means for us as Catholic women… especially as single women discerning, building, waiting, and hoping in real time.

A Quick Summary of the Apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe:

When: December 9–12, 1531
Where: Tepeyac Hill, near Mexico City
Who: St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin & his uncle, Juan Bernardino
How many apparitions: Five total — four to Juan Diego, one to Juan Bernardino

✨ First Apparition — Dec. 9Mary appears to Juan Diego in radiant clothing, speaking Nahuatl, asking for a church to be built where she can show her love and mercy.

✨ Second Apparition — Dec. 9 (later)Juan Diego returns after being doubted by the bishop. Mary encourages him and asks him to try again.

✨ Third Apparition — Dec. 10Mary promises a sign the bishop will believe.

✨ Pause — Dec. 11–12Juan Diego stays home to care for his dying uncle.

✨ Fourth Apparition — Dec. 12 (early morning)Mary intercepts Juan Diego on a different path.Her words: “Do not be afraid. Am I not here, I who am your Mother?”She instructs him to gather miraculous Castilian roses blooming on the barren hill.

✨ Fifth Apparition — Dec. 12Mary appears to Juan Bernardino, heals him, and gives her name: “Santa María de Guadalupe.”

✨ The Miracle of the TilmaJuan Diego opens his tilma before the bishop; the roses spill to the floor and the iconic image of Our Lady of Guadalupe appears.

A church is built. Devotion spreads across the Americas.

We share what it was actually like to go see her:

• Stopping at Mercado Jamaica to pick out flowers to bring her
• Spending the entire day on the grounds of the Shrine
• The unexpected moments that struck us most
• How being there shifted something interiorly — for both of us, in different ways

Mary meets us in the “in-between” spaces — the quiet seasons, the hidden seasons, the transitions we didn’t choose but are trying to trust our way through.

Her message is profoundly personal:

• God sees you
• God chooses you
• Your life has purpose even when it feels still or unclear
• You are not alone in discerning your vocation, your calling, or your next step

Her words to Juan Diego echo into our own lives:“Am I not here, I, who am your Mother?”

This episode is an invitation to let those words land.

Bring one intention to Our Lady of Guadalupe on her feast day.Something small or something impossible — she holds both with tenderness.

Let Mary mother you — especially in this season of your life.

If you'd like to learn more about the miracles related to the tilma: https://www.kenmaymd.com/blog-1/miracles-part1

If this episode encouraged you, rate and leave a quick comment on the pod. It helps more than you know!

Call or text us with questions, stories, or topics you want us to cover:‪(361) 857-9338‬361-85-SWEET

or email us at: ⁠sweetsinglelifepodcast@gmail.com⁠

In this week’s episode, we’re diving into a topic that comes up in every faith tradition, but we’re approaching it from our experience as Catholic women: interfaith marriage. What does the Church actually teach? Is it allowed? Is it ideal? And what does it look like in real life when spouses aren’t on the same spiritual page?

We also share our own thoughts on whether we’d personally be open to an interfaith marriage — and why the discernment around this is more important than most of us realize.

What the Catholic Church Teaches:

The Church does permit interfaith marriages, but only with certain conditions meant to safeguard the Catholic spouse’s faith and the spiritual well-being of the family.

There are two categories:

• Mixed Marriage — Catholic + baptized non-Catholic Christian→ Requires permission from the bishop. (Canon 1124)
• Disparity of Cult — Catholic + non-baptized person→ Requires a dispensation from the bishop. (Canon 1086)

Before a bishop grants permission, the Catholic spouse must promise:

• To remain faithful to the Catholic Church
• To “do all in their power” to raise the children Catholic

The Church also teaches that:

• A marriage between two baptized Christians is sacramental, even if one is not Catholic.
• A marriage with an unbaptized spouse is valid but not sacramental.

And while these marriages can be challenging, the Church is hopeful: mixed marriages can become powerful places of witness, evangelization, and the slow work of grace (CCC 1636–1637).

Our Guest: Natalie Jordan

Today we're joined by Natalie Jordan, wife and mother of seven (four living, three in heaven), who spent most of her 21-year marriage in an interfaith union before her husband Quaid entered the Church last year. Natalie shares her story with honesty, humor, and deep faith — from the early years of marriage, to the ache of spiritual mismatch, to the unexpected grace that led her husband home.

• What did faith look like for you and your husband when you first married?
• When did you sense that your own spiritual journey was diverging from his?
• How did your deepening faith affect your marriage — practically, emotionally, spiritually?
• Were there seasons when you felt spiritually alone?
• What ultimately opened your husband’s heart toward the Church?
• How did your marriage change once you were finally aligned spiritually?
• What advice would you give single women considering dating or marrying someone who isn’t practicing?
• And what would you say to women who are currently in interfaith marriages?

Natalie’s story is such a gift — honest, encouraging, and full of hope for anyone navigating spiritual difference in a relationship.

Can you do us a huge favor? Please rate and comment on our podcast! Thank you in advance.

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Are you actually “perpetually single”… or just refusing to settle? In this episode, we break down the pressure to rush into relationships, the beauty of high standards, and why waiting for the right person is wisdom—not fear.

In a world full of wedding bells, social timelines, and “you’re next!” comments at every family gathering, it’s easy to feel like you’re behind. But here’s the truth: if we wanted a relationship, we could absolutely have one tomorrow — we just don’t want a subpar one.

In this episode, we dive into the difference between being “always single” and being a woman who holds actual standards.

Inspired by a hilarious TikTok by the creator Davi that said:

“Sometimes I wish my standards were low so I could find the love of my life eight times a year like some of you.”

WHAT WE GET INTO: The Myth of the “Perpetually Single Woman”

• Why high standards don’t make you picky — they make you wise.
• It’s not selfish to want alignment in faith, kids, finances, values, and long-term vision.
• Comparison fatigue heightens with weddings, proposals, and curated highlight reels.
• Fear of being alone vs. the fear of being with the wrong person.
• Divorce is more expensive — emotionally, spiritually, financially.
• The wrong relationship can dull your calling, delay your purpose, or derail your vocation.
• Peace is priceless. Chaos? Costly.
• When to lovingly speak truth — and when to mind your business.

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