NBC’s Saturday Night Live began its Oct. 19 broadcast with a parody of a recent interview conducted by Bret Baier and Vice President Kamala Harris on Fox News. The cold open reaired as part of SNL’s November “Election Special.”

Starting with jabs and both sides poking fun, actor Alec Baldwin and SNL cast member Maya Rudolph portrayed the Catholic journalist and presidential hopeful, respectively, hitting on several topics, including an issue very close to Catholics: life. 

Rudolph made it clear that Harris doesn’t shy away from using the word “abortion,” while the current occupant of the White House might not, and then proceeded to attack Baier, portrayed by Baldwin, shown cringing upon hearing words having to do with women’s anatomy and health. 

Challenging interviews and parodies aside, Baier himself is very much a man of faith. The Catholic journalist doesn’t shy away from speaking out on issues that matter to him. Having written extensively about his own faith journey in a recent book detailing his family’s struggle after he and wife Amy’s first son was diagnosed with a rare heart condition, Baier spoke with the Register about this crisis, his reliance on prayer, and how he defines “grace.” 

Growing up attending Catholic school, Baier was an altar server during Mass. He even began his career in journalism writing for Marist Catholic High School’s newspaper, The Blue and Gold, in Atlanta. 

His indefatigable drive and determination ultimately led him to Fox News, and his faith is an integral part of his day, especially when gearing up for high-profile interviews and long nights covering elections. “I do pray and ask for clarity and wisdom,” Baier told the Register, adding: “I also spend time studying.”

But it was in 2007, when his family received drastic news about their first son, that changed things entirely for Baier. Paul had been diagnosed with a rare congenital heart defect that required multiple open heart surgeries. Baier described the wrenching moments: 

“We went from the highest of highs with the birth of our first son to the lowest of lows with word that he had life-threatening congenital heart defects and would need emergency surgery or he would die. We could have taken him home and he could have died in a crib. We feel blessed that his coloring set off alarm bells and he was diagnosed. We relied heavily on prayer to get through all of his journeys at the children's hospital since.” 

Nurse Beth Kennedy noticed the alarming hue of the baby’s body and didn’t hesitate to order more tests, including an echocardiogram. “And that led to the crucial diagnosis. So we consider Beth our angel. And we needed prayers from all over the country to lift us up in the darkest times,” Baier said.

Paul has had five open-heart surgeries, and “we are hopeful that the surgeries are finished,” Baier said, adding that the need for prayer is constant. “With 1 out of 100 kids diagnosed with at least one congenital heart defect and half of those kids requiring some kind of invention or surgery, those are the folks who need the prayers.”

Baier has another son with his wife Amy, Paul’s brother Daniel, and the two have a special bond bound by prayer. “All of us, to this day, pray together as a family,” he told the Register. “Daniel and Paul lead prayers in tough times and good times. And we believe in the power of prayer always. Daniel and Paul believe too.”

While spending long days and even longer nights inside the ICU during Paul’s hospital stays for surgeries and procedures, Baier met one family who had the same dire situation but, sadly, the outcome was not the same. Baby Maggie didn’t get to go home. The day after her passing, her mother called the Baiers to see how little Paul was doing, and it just happened to be the day of his major surgery.

“After Maggie’s passing, the fact that Maggie’s parents reached out to us that very day to inquire about Paul’s surgery is the definition of grace. I aspire to be like that: Lead by example and lead with your heart.” 

The time Baier spent with families like hers has left a lasting impression on him. “Be kind and thoughtful to those going through hard times,” he said. Baier recently reconnected with Maggie’s father, and the two remain close.  

The Baier family spends Sundays at Mass together at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Georgetown. Asked about his favorite saint, he told the Register: 

“My confirmation name is Barnabas, who traveled with Paul. St. Paul is probably the favorite, with all of his letters and poignant messages.”

And as a veteran journalist who is guided by his faith, Baier has words of wisdom for budding writers, specifically Catholic journalists, given the toxic secular culture of our times: 

“Don’t be afraid — and keep driving forward. Even if you don’t know how you’ll get to your ultimate destination, have faith, and keep moving forward. I believe God has a plan, but you need to keep driving forward to get to your goals.”