How do I keep my children Catholic?

How do I keep my children Catholic?

I've asked this questions dozens of times. But this is, by far, the best response I've ever received.

For about three months after college, until I could afford an apartment, I slept on the couch of my best friend in his childhood home.

My best friend, and his three siblings were all devout. So, one night I asked his mom how she did it. And this is what she said.

"When your children reach the age of reason, once you’ve really gotten to know their little hearts, start fasting for their faith and vocation. Give something up. Something that no one will really notice other than your spouse but something that will hurt. Never yield from that fast. Never take a day off until the day they are married in the Church or ordained or take final vows. Then, on that day, tell your child what your fast was, why you chose it, and then break the fast together."

Jesus said, some things can only be done through prayer and fasting. We talk so much in the Church about prayer. And so little about fasting.

Fasting isn’t a magic trick.

It’s not a fool proof plan.

It’s not a guarantee you will get what you want.

But it is, unequivocally, the most underutilized spiritual discipline in the modern world.

What is the best advice you've ever received on how pass the faith on to your children?