20/05/2026
Simone Biles is widely regarded as the Greatest of All Time in gymnasticsβwith 11 Olympic medals, dozens of World Championship titles, and skills named after her. Yet beyond the podiums and records, her greatest strength comes from her deep Catholic faith.
Raised in the Catholic Church, Simone was adopted by her grandparents Ron and Nellie Biles, who brought her to the faith. She regularly attends Sunday Mass with her family at St. James Catholic Church in Spring, Texasβthe one day she doesnβt train.
Before major competitions, Simone lights candles to St. Sebastian, the patron saint of athletes, asking for his intercession. She chose St. Sebastian as her Confirmation saint, relating to his story of endurance and healing.
In her autobiography Courage to Soar, she beautifully described her Confirmation at St. James the Apostle Church, comparing the sacrament to a medal ceremonyβexcept the βprizeβ was far greater than gold.
She always carries a white rosary given to her by her mother Nellie. As she shared:
βMy mom, Nellie, got me a rosary at church. I donβt use it to pray before a competition. Iβll just pray normally to myself, but I have it there in case.β
When she travels for competitions, she often brings a small statue of St. Sebastian with her. Simone has openly credited God for her abilities, saying: βI donβt physically understand how I do it. It is a God-given talent.β
Her Catholic faith has been a constant source of peace and strength β through injuries, the pressure of the Olympics, and her courageous decision in Tokyo to prioritize mental health. She shows the world that true champions rely not only on talent and hard work, but on prayer, the sacraments, and Godβs grace.
In a world that often pushes faith aside, Simone Biles reminds us that athletic greatness and Catholic devotion go hand in hand. Her life is a powerful witness that our talents are gifts from God β and that with Him, we can soar through any challenge.
π Letβs pray for Simone and all Catholic athletes β that they continue to glorify God in their gifts!