On The Patrick Madrid Show, Cyra from Alberta called in with a tough but crucial question: who should she and her husband pick as legal guardians for their kids in their will? Her top choice is her sister and brother-in-law: loving, family-oriented, and nearby. But there was a hitch: they’re not practicing Catholics.

Her husband, Sebastian, was especially concerned that if their kids ended up in their care, the faith might slowly fade out of their lives: not because of bad intentions, but just because, well, life happens. Cyra, on the other hand, struggled with the idea of choosing someone outside the family.

Patrick’s Advice? Faith Comes First!

Patrick said that faith should be the number one priority when picking guardians. Sure, family closeness and emotional stability are important, but if the guardians don’t actively practice and prioritize the Catholic faith, then there’s a real risk that the kids could drift away from it over time.

Even with the best of intentions, a non-Catholic couple might start strong in raising the kids Catholic, but when it comes to the daily grind: Sunday Mass, sacraments, religious education… things could start slipping. It’s not about doubting their love, but about recognizing human nature.

So, What’s the Best Plan?

If Catholic family members aren’t an option, Patrick suggested looking for strong Catholic friends or community members who would make raising the kids in the faith a true priority. It’s a big decision, but ultimately, the goal is to ensure that the kids grow up knowing, loving, and practicing their Catholic faith.

Get Your Will in Order, For Free!

Patrick gave a super useful tip: check out CatholicLegacy.com, a free service from Relevant Radio that helps Catholics create airtight wills that align with their faith. Because let’s be real: none of us like thinking about wills, but it’s way better to be prepared than to leave things to chance.

If you’re picking legal guardians, don’t just think about love and familiarity… think about who will make sure your kids get to Heaven.

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