logo
episode-header-image
Oct 18
58m 18s

Cultivating Saints: The Father's Guide t...

The Catholic Man Show
About this episode

Adam and Dave are broadcasting from the heart of Assisi, Italy—knee-deep in pilgrimage vibes with St. Francis, St. Clare, and the whole crew. They break down the "establish" pillar of fatherhood (you know, the third leg of protect-provide-establish) and get talk about turning your home into fertile soil where your family's faith thrives. Recorded right after a providential run-in with a fan who spotted Adam's voice in the wild—shoutout to Kel from Illinois!

Key Highlights:

  • Pilgrimage Gold: Fresh off praying at St. Francis' tomb and St. Clare's incorrupt body. Plus, stories of Francis dodging death in the Holy Land because even the Saracens couldn't handle his holiness. Spiritual overload = total win.
  • The Father's Job: Establish a Culture: Forget the 30-something basement-dwellers—it's time to till that family soil like a pro vintner. They riff on winery chats: Every plot's different, climates change, so adapt your strategy. Build traditions around high feasts (Christmas Nativity read-aloud before gifts? Yes!), guard your wife's prayer time, and echo that husband-wife holiness down to the kids.
  • Resilience Like the Saints: One bad call ruins your day? No. Channel St. Clare ("No suffering bothers me!") and blind-but-joyful St. Francis. Practice gratitude, God's-will-be-done prayers, and bounce back fast—'cause your mood sets the home tone.
  • Focus or Bust: Saints win by laser-focus on holiness. Ditch the noise (X, YouTube, endless projects). Adam's hack: Stopwatch your day. Shocking how 25 minutes of "deep work" gets hijacked by texts. Apply it home—clock real presence with kids over fence-painting busywork.

Adam's Four Pillars to Cultivate Christian Life:

  1. Silence – God's language. Train kids to quiet appetites at home so they can apply it at Holy Mass.
  2. Reverence – Rebel against irreverence. Yes sir/ma'am, genuflect at churches, dress sharp for Mass—builds love for the Eucharist.
  3. Hard Work – Outpace 90% by pushing past "I can't." Sports, chess, prayer, fasting—saints weren't smarter, just tougher.
  4. Charity – The supernatural crescendo. Serve without quid pro quo (Catechism 2223). Punch in pure love, St. Nick-style.

  • Grandpa Power: You're the tradition custodian! Give "state of the union" fireplaceside talks like Adam's grandpa—wisdom from the trenches and the hilltop.
  • Soul-Crafting Close: Italian churches are stunning, but one holy soul outshines 'em all. You're the craftsman for your wife's and kids' souls—steward God's talents like your life depends on it (spoiler: it does).

Action Steps for Catholic Dads:

  1. Tonight: List 3 family traditions to start (feast-focused first).
  2. Tomorrow: Stopwatch 1 hour of undistracted kid-time. No phone.
  3. This Week: Guard your wife's prayer slot—strictly.
  4. Pray: "Lord, till my home soil for saints."

Up next
Nov 6
Obedience and Martyrs: What Strength Really Looks Like
Opening: Setting the Record StraightNo, The Catholic Man Show isn’t joining The Daily Wire. A sincere congrats to Matt Fradd on taking Pints With Aquinas to a bigger platform—and a case for celebrating a brother’s success without the cynicism.Why Moves Like This MatterMedia reali ... Show More
1h 1m
Nov 3
Holding a Moment of Mass: Eucharistic Adoration
Recording on the move along the Adriatic, the guys sit down in Italy with their spiritual guide and friend Fr. Stuart Crevecour to talk about Eucharistic adoration—what it is, why it matters, and how to begin. From stories of Eucharistic miracles in Cascia and Orvieto to practica ... Show More
57m 12s
Oct 3
Clear Creek Monk's Advice for Men: Fight Demons, Fast, and Protect Your Family
In this episode, we sit down with Fr. Morey, the prior at Clear Creek Abbey, to discuss the vital role of fathers in passing down faith and tradition. Fr. Morey shares insights from his life as a Benedictine monk, including the importance of spiritual protection for families, the ... Show More
55m 24s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 27
Answering Every Protestant Objection to Mary (Fr. Josémaría) | Ep. 538
<p>Fr. Josémaría M. Barbin, F.I., is the U.S. Vocations Director for the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate and author of Beloved Disciple: Living Out Your Marian Consecration Daily. Based at the friary in Griswold, Connecticut, he guides men discerning religious life while prom ... Show More
2h 29m
Oct 2024
Episode #110- October 16, 2024: Fall Saints That We Fall in Love With
#110 Fall Saints That We Fall in Love With In this episode, Stacy, Lauren, and Annie share about their Confirmation Saints and other Saints whose feast days are in Autumn and how they have pursued them over the years. The Message of St. Therese of Lisieux by Mgr Vernon Johnson St ... Show More
38m 12s
Apr 2025
St. Faustina & the Divine Mercy: A Message for Our Time (Fr. Chris Alar) | Ep. 521
Father Chris Alar, MIC, is the Provincial Superior of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy Province of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception in the United States and Argentina. He wrote and produced the popular "Divine Mercy 101" and "Explaining the Faith" YouTube s ... Show More
2h 20m
Sep 24
What to do When Marriage Gets Hard (Jason & Crystalina Evert) | Ep. 542
In this interview, Matt sits down with not just one, but two special guests: Jason and Crystalina Evert. The conversation is all about marriage, particularly how to navigate the tough times in marriage and parenthood with your spouse and come out on the other side stronger than e ... Show More
3h 45m
Feb 2025
Reacting to Emma Chamberlain’s "Do We Need Religion" Episode & What She Gets Wrong
Today, Jeanine reacts to Emma Chamberlain’s episode on “Do We Need Religion” and she breaks down Emma’s pros and cons from a Christian perspective! This was such a fun and different type of video to do, but it hopefully helps you understand many of the misconceptions about God an ... Show More
1h 18m
Oct 1
The Latin Mass Is Not Going Away... and Here's Why (Dr. Peter Kwasniewski) | Ep. 543
In this interview, Matt talks with Dr. Peter Kwasniewski—author, lecturer, scholar and composer—about his (Dr. Kwasniewski's) first experience with the Traditional Latin Mass, and how it deeply impacted him and changed his understanding of what the Mass is all about. The conversa ... Show More
3h 48m
Feb 2025
Do You Love Your Christian Neighbor? | Historical Books | Joshua 22:21-34
Do you ever assume the worst about Christians who are different than you? How do we live humbly with our Christian neighbors? In today's episode, Tanya shares how Joshua 22:21-34 encourages Christians to put their love for Jesus above their worldly differences. Read the Bible wit ... Show More
6m 40s
Oct 2024
God's Work in Others
<p>This week Fr. Michael talks about some of the hidden sacrifices of parents. Fr. Michael talks about the hermeneutics of moms and dads with two separate stories of parents he knows who are living out their ordinary vocation.<br/><br/>There&apos;s also a mini-topic this week tal ... Show More
1h 5m
Nov 2023
Does God Want You to be Rich?
Today, John, Devin, and Sam answer the nagging thought that money will make life better. That if only you had more money you could accomplish things in life, not have to worry so much, and finally be happier. The concerns with money affect all of us and having a clear guide to wh ... Show More
46m 40s
Nov 11
The Plan of Life: Daily Habits for Holiness
<p>In this meditation, Msgr. Fred Dolan reflects on how a plan of life can help us stay anchored in God amid the distractions of daily life. Drawing on the teachings of St. Josemaria Escriva, he explains that holiness is achieved through steady, faithful habits that keep us close ... Show More
27m 31s