Saint In Progress

A postcard of Michelangelo’s Pietà and a discussion of sacred art is the jumping off point for this week’s episode. Listen in as he covers: * Michelangelo’s unfinished “The Prisoners” * A profound quote from Michelangelo * The Martyrs of Constantinople (circa 730 AD) * Exodus, Deuteronomy, the Ten Commandments, and “graven images” * How God works as the Divine Sculptor Our work here on Substack is...

Many devout Catholics who have a strong Marian devotion are up in arms about the latest document Mater Populi Fidelis (“The Mother of the Faithful People of God”) which they claim is de-throning the Mother of God by saying that we are not to use the title “Co-Redemptrix.” Many Protestants who see Marian devotion as “Mary worship” see the document as the Catholic Church finally realizing the truth...

Mike has a devotion to praying for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, so in this “deep dive” episode, he covers it all: * What’s a triduum? * When did the Christian practice of celebrating saints begin? * Did All Saints’ Day begin with a pagan festival called Samhain? * How to respond when someone says, “You can’t find the word Purgatory in the Bible! Purgatory is a thing made up by the Catholic Church...

Following up from last week’s episode about crosses in the spiritual life, this week Mike takes a deeper look at quote from St. Philip Neri and gives you some ways to determine if a cross you’re carrying might be a cross of your own construction. A challenging episode that’s not to be missed! Our work here on Substack is made available at no charge, but that doesn’t mean that it’s free to make. Yo...

The spiritual life can be a hot mess sometimes. Maybe it’s just distractions, maybe it’s a period of discouragement, maybe it’s something deeper and more difficult. This week Mike takes a look at: * Temptations to take a shortcut (or abandon the journey) * Spiritual desolation and consolation and St. Ignatius of Loyola * The dark night of the soul and St. John of the Cross * The three ages of the...

A story from the trenches of parenthood was the inspiration for this week’s episode, where Mike talks about: * Re-watching the John Hughes 1984 classic 16 Candles (but only the first half hour) * The rise of Christendom… and the influence of the Enlightenment in its decline * The inversion of vice and virtue * How our moral compasses are “programmed” * How to begin to re-program your moral compass...

Last week’s episode * inspired a listener to email about the lack of natural family planning (NFP) education, which is a small part of the bigger picture: are you ready to say “yes” to God in the work he’s calling you to do? This week Mike talks about: * Feasts and saints of the week * The listener’s email * Trusting God’s grace * Get up, go out, go do Pray your Rosary! *Last week in Episode 44, M...

The truth is out there. And we all have a desire to know it. But how do we find it? Understanding the truth and accepting the truth depends on how we receive information, how we process it, and how we form our conclusions. Unfortunately, in our fallen state we are our own worst enemy when it comes to being open to accepting the truth when it’s presented to us. Our tendency to defend our pre-existi...

Using the ongoing story of Charlie Kirk as a starting point, Mike takes a look at: * How we get our news (and what the heck is “yellow journalism” anyway?) * How we react to our news, especially online * The Epistle of James 3:5-10 * The dangers of uncharitable speech, especially online He wraps it up with a lengthy list of sins of the tongue, pulled from several different examinations of conscien...

It’s been a heavy few weeks of bad news. So with no way to not talk about it, in this fast-paced episode, Mike dives in and covers: * Matthew 24-25 * Where did the “rapture” theory of the end times come from? Is it valid? * The role of politics in our lives * Our role in politics * St. Peter Claver * Slavery Our work here on Substack is made available at no charge, but that doesn’t mean that it’s...

The news cycle has moved on from the tragedy in Minneapolis’ Church of the Annunciation, but we shouldn’t be so quick to do the same. This week’s podcast takes a look at what this incident tells us about the bigger picture in the war between good and evil. There are several important lessons that we can learn from this tragedy once we step away from hot takes. Our work here on Substack is made ava...

GELATO FIXES EVERYTHING. Back in Episode 8 of this podcast , Mike talked about the importance of having an accurate map and a knowledgable tour guide on our trip back home to the Father’s house. The truths of that episode were made painfully clear as Mike recounts a few stories from his family’s pilgrimage to Italy in July. Though not mentioned in this episode, Mike and his family found an amazing...

Over a century ago, Fr. Bonaventure Hammer, a Franciscan priest, put together a series of novenas for Marian feasts. They are both catechetical and spiritually moving. Take a few minutes to listen and pray along with the podcast in preparation for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary where we ponder her blessed death, bodily assumption, and glorious crowning as Queen of Heave...

Over a century ago, Fr. Bonaventure Hammer, a Franciscan priest, put together a series of novenas for Marian feasts. They are both catechetical and spiritually moving. Take a few minutes to listen and pray along with the podcast in preparation for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary where we ponder her blessed death, bodily assumption, and glorious crowning as Queen of Heave...

Over a century ago, Fr. Bonaventure Hammer, a Franciscan priest, put together a series of novenas for Marian feasts. They are both catechetical and spiritually moving. Take a few minutes to listen and pray along with the podcast in preparation for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary where we ponder her blessed death, bodily assumption, and glorious crowning as Queen of Heave...

Over a century ago, Fr. Bonaventure Hammer, a Franciscan priest, put together a series of novenas for Marian feasts. They are both catechetical and spiritually moving. Take a few minutes to listen and pray along with the podcast in preparation for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary where we ponder her blessed death, bodily assumption, and glorious crowning as Queen of Heave...

Over a century ago, Fr. Bonaventure Hammer, a Franciscan priest, put together a series of novenas for Marian feasts. They are both catechetical and spiritually moving. Take a few minutes to listen and pray along with the podcast in preparation for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary where we ponder her blessed death, bodily assumption, and glorious crowning as Queen of Heave...

Over a century ago, Fr. Bonaventure Hammer, a Franciscan priest, put together a series of novenas for Marian feasts. They are both catechetical and spiritually moving. Take a few minutes to listen and pray along with the podcast in preparation for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary where we ponder her blessed death, bodily assumption, and glorious crowning as Queen of Heave...

Over a century ago, Fr. Bonaventure Hammer, a Franciscan priest, put together a series of novenas for Marian feasts. They are both catechetical and spiritually moving. Take a few minutes to listen and pray along with the podcast in preparation for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary where we ponder her blessed death, bodily assumption, and glorious crowning as Queen of Heave...

Over a century ago, Fr. Bonaventure Hammer, a Franciscan priest, put together a series of novenas for Marian feasts. They are both catechetical and spiritually moving. Take a few minutes to listen and pray along with the podcast in preparation for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary where we ponder her blessed death, bodily assumption, and glorious crowning as Queen of Heave...

Over a century ago, Fr. Bonaventure Hammer, a Franciscan priest, put together a series of novenas for Marian feasts. They are both catechetical and spiritually moving. Take a few minutes to listen and pray along with the podcast in preparation for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary where we ponder her blessed death, bodily assumption, and glorious crowning as Queen of Heave...

Originally recorded in 2023 as bonus material for The Saint Challenge, take a few minutes to listen to a bit more about the life and miracles of the Evangelical Doctor of the Church. 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 peop...

In this last episode before a summer break, find out how Catholic Treehouse got its name from the life of St. Anthony (and how Catholic Treehouse got started). Then listen to some lessons we can learn from the heart of St. Anthony, and how we can use those lessons in our daily lives as we live out our faith and the Great Commission. Show Resources Apologetics books * How to Share Your Faith with A...

Pulling from St. Thérèse of Lisieux and the Rule of St. Benedict, (and partially inspired by Pope Leo XIII,) Mike tackles a question from a long-time listener about feeling overwhelmed with work. Recommended Reading * The Rule of Benedict: A Spirituality for the 21st Century by Joan Chittister, OSB * The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence * The Story of a Soul: The Autobiography o...

This week Mike talks about getting the balance right between physical fitness and spiritual fitness. With a focus on “immediate family” as the first neighbors we need to love, he pulls in St. Benedict to help us understand how best to love God and neighbor… and issues a challenge for all saints in progress. Finally, he explains the difference between “free gifts of self” and “payments for services...