My body is not my own. And neither is yours. As Catholic women, we’re called to see our bodies not as ornaments or burdens—but as sacred temples of the Holy Spirit. God created us—body and soul—to glorify Him.
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.”
— Psalm 139:13
In this post, I’ll share 3 Catholic ways to honor your body as a temple, embracing your role as a steward of the precious gift God has given you.
- Honor Your Body in What You Eat.
- Honor Your Body in How You Move and Rest
- Honor Your Body in How You Dress.
According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, a temple is a place devoted to a special purpose.
In 1 Corinthians 6: 19 – 20 we see St. Paul tells us,
“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.”
Before you keep reading, I want to invite you to pause and watch the video below. In it, I open up about something I never used to talk about—my struggles with insecurity, body image, and the quiet pressure to be “enough,” even as a Catholic mom trying to live for Christ.
This story is raw, real, and deeply personal… but it’s also full of hope. Because the truth that finally set me free is one you need to hear too. 🎥👇
I pray that video blessed you and reminded you that your worth doesn’t come from the mirror or the world—it comes from your Creator. 💗
In the rest of this post, I’m going to walk you through 3 ways that we can honor the Temple God has given us.
Grab a warm cup of coffee or tea, take a deep breath, and let’s continue this conversation—heart to heart. ☕✨
Oftentimes we forget that in the resurrection we will be resurrected body and soul, just as Christ resurrected in His glorified body, so will we.
We are called to steward our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. As we see in our definition above, a temple is a place devoted to a special purpose. That special purpose within us is to have a special place for the Holy Spirit to dwell. A place that is healthy and a place worthy of being called a temple of the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, let us see how we can honor the temple God has given us.
- Honor Your Body in What You Eat
Food is more than fuel. It’s a way to honor the temple God gave you. This doesn’t mean obsessing over diets or counting calories—but rather practicing temperance and gratitude.
Avoid gluttony, yes—but also honor your body by nourishing it. Whole foods, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats help keep our minds alert and our spirits ready to engage in prayer and service.
God designed us as embodied souls—not spirits trapped in flesh. When we eat well, we are better equipped to pray, parent, work, and worship
- Honor Your Body in How You Move and Rest
We were not created to be sedentary. Modern life often pulls us toward the couch, but a life of intentional movement can help us live more fully. Exercising, in whichever form you choose honors God because we are choosing to move the very body He has given us as a gift to others. Rest is also integral to honoring our temple for God. God designed us with limits. He Himself rested. Let us also prioritize healthy rest, not sloth.
Note: This message is not for those facing illness or chronic fatigue. It’s for those of us who can move, but often choose not to.
- Honor Your Body in How You Dress
Modesty is not about shame—it’s about reverence. When we dress with dignity, we acknowledge the sacredness within us.
Think of your body as a tabernacle. Would you leave a sacred vessel uncovered and exposed to the elements? Of course not. Modesty isn’t outdated—it’s holy. It’s protection, respect, and beauty rightly ordered.
Dressing with intention shields our temple from the gaze of the world and reminds us that we belong to God—not to fashion trends, social media, or the culture.
A Note of Encouragement
Our bodies are a gift, they are a temple of the Holy Spirit, and they house the very soul that God has given us as well. It is a high calling to be called a temple of the Holy Spirit, yet God chose it this way. Let us honor Him, let us love Him, let us die to self, and bring our flesh under the obedience of our Most High Lord.
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