Saint In Progress

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...

With summer so close, it’s a good time to plan how to continue to grow in your spiritual life. In this episode, Mike talks about the Church’s special devotions in the months of June, July, and August. He also takes on the dangers of the “my parish is my club” mentality, and wraps up with a discussion on religious orders: what they are, how they’re different from diocesan priests, and a thing calle...

In this episode, Mike starts off talking about an episode of The UnBelievable with Dan Aykroyd that not just gets its facts horrendously wrong, but does so in a way that makes the Catholic Church look bad (in a subtle, passive-agressive sort of way.) Then after talking about a statement that then-Fr. Robert Prevost (now Pope Leo XIV) made back in 2012 about how we can’t allow the liturgy to become...

This week, Mike talks about being stalked by advertisers… and by saints. Listen as he tells how it seems like the current saint that’s stalking him is St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Also, as recording was wrapping up Mike’s phone and computer started going crazy with the news that “Habemum Papem”… we have a pope! Our work here on Substack is made available at no charge, but that doesn’t mean that it’s fr...

This week Mike starts off by talking about how coaching softball he’s able to weave in elements of the faith. Then he digs into an article he read about why and how you should write in your books (the horror!), his revelatory experience when he accidentally found the Catechism of the Catholic Church while attending a Protestant Bible study, and the importance of why the infallible text of the Bibl...

Links: * For prayers for the dead, see the section “Prayers for the Holy Souls in Purgatory​” at catholictreehouse.com/prayers * The Saint Challenge * Isaiah 22:15-25 : Shebna, Eli′akim, and the keys * Matthew 16:13-19 : Jesus, Peter, and the keys * Numbers 13:1-16 : Spies sent to Canaan, Hoshea’s name changed to Joshua * Epistle of Pope Clement I to the Church at Corinth * What is Divine Mercy Su...

from “Mary, Help of Christians,” by Rev. Bonaventure Hammer O.F.M. Get full access to Catholic Treehouse at catholictreehouse.substack.com/subscribe

from “Mary, Help of Christians,” by Rev. Bonaventure Hammer O.F.M. Get full access to Catholic Treehouse at catholictreehouse.substack.com/subscribe