Saint In Progress

It’s not uncommon to have thoughts like this enter your mind: “Why must I suffer?” “Why is God allowing this suffering?” A morning walk and a conversation with a neighbor inspired this week’s episode, where Mike discusses three types of suffering—penitential, transformative, and redemptive—and how God uses each. Resources Why Must I Suffer? by Fr. F. J. Remler Our work on Substack is made availabl...

If you presume holiness or are disheartened thinking that the Spirit isn’t in you, then you’re approaching the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the wrong way. Many people confuse “gifts” and “fruits” and don’t understand how the Holy Spirit operates on our souls. So this episode, Mike uses a simple analogy to help explain the concept, and wraps it up with a few excerpts from spiritual masters. Note: We...

This week, Mike takes a trip down memory lane. Join him as he talks about the beauty of the Rosary, tattoos (both visible and invisible), the Ascension of our Lord, the Sacraments of Confession and Baptism, and more. Resources * Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary Our work on Substack is made available at no charge, but that doesn’t mean that it’s free to make. Your generous support keeps the li...

This week Mike retells the story of the Battle of Lepanto, from where we get the Month of the Rosary as well as the Marian titles “Our Lady of the Rosary” and “Our Lady of Victory”. He also explores the life of St. Bartolo Longo and how he lost his faith in college, became a satanic priest, returned to the Church, and became a champion for the Rosary as well as a canonized saint. Also this episode...

This week, Mike talks a little philosophy as a backdrop for how some “armchair theologians” are leading people to sin… and why it makes him cranky. It ends upbeat, though, with a simple reframe that can re-orient a wayward heart. Resources * Mike “Gomer” Gormley on the Catching Foxes podcast episode “Rethinking How We Apply the Church’s Teaching on Birth Control” * Modesty isn’t about you - the Su...

This first regular episode back from the break, Mike briefly chats about on a few summer visits to shrines with saints’ relics before reflecting on five things necessary to have a successful marriage. References: * Catechism of the Catholic Church: The Effects of the Sacrament of Matrimony * Gaudium et spes , Paragraph 48 * Familiaris consortio, Paragraph 56 * Casti connubii, Paragraph 11 Our work...

Before returning to the normal Saint in Progress material next week, Mike takes a few minutes to talk about the tragedy of September 11, 2001, and reflect on where our hearts are today. Our work here on Substack is made available at no charge, but that doesn’t mean that it’s free to make. Your generous support keeps the lights on in the treehouse, and helps us deliver our content to thousands of p...

In this last podcast before summer hiatus, Mike touches on a very important issue: the impending collapse of Christendom as the dominant force in our society. We’re on the brink right now. How do we reverse course? How do we re-claim our society, our neighborhoods, and even ourselves? Show Notes & Extra Info * Mike’s show notes for St. Gabriel Radio, AM820 in Columbus Ohio (available May 25, 2026)...

This episode wraps up the 4-part series on “hobo evangelism.” Previous episodes ( here , here , and here ) covered the concept of and how to share the true and the good. Which begs the question: If you’re not in a beautiful church and you’re not walking the cobblestone streets of Italy… how are you going to share the beauty of the Catholic Church? Spoiler: It’s not about art… it’s about you. Our w...

People are drawn to the Catholic Church because of the True, the Good, and the Beautiful. After explaining the concept of “Hobo Evangelism” in Episode 64 and how to share the True in Episode 65 , this week Mike talks about how we “hobos” on the road home to the Father’s House can share the Good. (He also finds a “God wink” moment with the episode number, the topic, and one of the greatest hockey p...

Last week, Mike talked about “Hobo Evangelism” and “Hobo Code” and how it relates to us helping out our fellow travelers on the road home to the Father’s house, in particular the new converts to the Church. This week, Mike takes a look at how Hobo Evangelists should share the True, with upcoming episodes covering sharing the Good and the Beautiful. Also a reminder that all subscribers get a free P...

It’s springtime in the northern hemisphere, and with over 100,000 new converts to the Catholic Church this past Easter vigil, it’s also springtime in the Father’s vineyard. In this episode Mike takes a look at what we need to do for these new Catholics by introducing the concept of “hobo evangelism.” What do hobos have in common with saints in progress? Listen and find out! Our work here on Substa...

Trump said this… Pope Leo said that… Vice President Vance said… If you’re looking for a hot take, this isn’t it. There is zero discussion about AI generated images, what current politician or figure in the Church said what, or what anyone posted on social media. Instead, Mike talks a little Thomas Jefferson, a little JFK, and quotes a whole lot of saints. So if you’re wondering what’s the right ro...

He is risen! Indeed, he is risen! This week, Mike gets into the topic of apologetics, in particular when someone comes to you with an honest question… or an attack. He addresses how to handle the situation if: * You are well-informed * You aren’t well-informed * You get the answer wrong * Your response normally starts with, “Well, actually…” Covering the importance of humility and docility to the...

Fully understanding the Passion of our Lord can be daunting, and we also run the risk of allowing it to become less-than-special. However, if we meditate on Our Sorrowful Mother, she will constantly invite us to understand the effects of our sins in a new and powerful light. In this episode, meditate on the image above while listening to a meditation by Fr. Bonaventure Hammer OFM. The image above...

This week, Mike goes on a purposeful ramble. Join him as he talks about: * The Pearson Integrated Humanities Program at the University of Kansas * St. Patrick * Listening for God’s voice (and why most of us aren’t) For fun, he even throws in a snippet from this comedy bit by Fr. Guido Sarducci . (Yes, Mike is that old.) Note: Just after recording this episode, the power went out in the Treehouse....

A conversation over a lunch of cheese coneys turned to the topic of Baptism, and—believe it or not—Mike didn’t know that many mainline Protestant denominations teach that Baptism is not necessary for salvation. By Divine Providence, Joe Heschmeyer’s recent Shameless Popery podcast provided some starting points for this episode’s discussion on the Sacrament of Baptism, who does the “work” of the sa...

* Almsgiving: where to give, and where to avoid * Prayer: lifetime devotions often start during Lent * Fasting: St. Basil the Great returns to give us encouragement for the benefits of a good fast Resources The Lepanto Institute charity reports Find out why Fr. John Riccardo says, “Please read this and give it to every married man you know!” Get your copy of Honor Thy Wife today! Get full access t...

Fr. Anthony Gerber had a beautiful post on Substack entitled, “Why Your Kids Don’t Go to Confession,” and it is definitely worth the read. Mike read it, read it again, then made the mistake of wading into the comments where someone with a rather anonymous account name said a few things that Mike found… rather offensive. Trying not to be like St. Jerome (a.k.a. “The Great Name Caller”) Mike restrai...

A backed up drain leads to some thoughts about the American DIY mindset, and why it’s largely incompatible with growth in the spiritual life. Whether it’s plumbing or weighty spiritual topics, sometimes you need to call in an expert. Our work here on Substack is made available at no charge, but that doesn’t mean that it’s free to make. Your generous support keeps the lights on in the treehouse, an...

Despite the unpredictable day-to-day nature of the weather, the cycle of the seasons has never stopped. Our spiritual lives go through seasons as well, and in this first episode of 2026, Mike discusses the nature of these spiritual seasons, and why it’s necessary—and good—when we have a spiritual winter, and why the harshest winters produce the most fruit-filled harvests. Our work here on Substack...

All frustrated because you can’t see the big picture and figure out the next steps in your life? In this final episode of 2025, Mike shares some advice his spiritual director gave him a long time ago that is valuable to everyone today. A podcast of Mike’s radio appearance from this morning can be found at: https://stgabrielradio.com/cafe Our work here on Substack is made available at no charge, bu...

What do you do when you kid’s school emails and asks you be the substitute St. Nicholas? Well, what would Mary do? She would say “yes” and so did Mike. This week, Mike’s experience playing the part of the beloved bishop of Myra has him reflecting on Matthew 18:1-6 and 19:13-14, and asking the question: “How can we enter the kingdom of heaven when we have doubts about the very thing that is the sou...

This time of year as we prepare to celebrate the coming of our Lord, a common Advent theme is one of waiting. This week Mike avoids talking about the Israelites waiting for the messiah, and instead looks at the growing impatience that we all suffer, and why we need to embrace waiting. Our work here on Substack is made available at no charge, but that doesn’t mean that it’s free to make. Your gener...

Are you feeling overwhelmed by being always busy, and still feeling like you’re not working hard enough? You’re not alone. You’re living a broken work ethic that dates back to the mid 1500’s. (Gee, what happened around then?) This week Mike takes a look at: * The work ethic that the Puritans brought over that drives America today * The modern secular always-at-work mindset * The concept of “re-hom...