Michael the Archangel
Are you ready to defeat vice and grow in virtue? Join Chris Stefanick, Fr. Ambrose Criste, Sr. Alicia Torres, Fr. Isaiah CFR, and more as they guide you through the very special season of St. Michael's Lent. During these weeks, you'll learn from the extraordinary transformation of St. Francis of Assisi. Along the way, you'll also discover the powerful role of St. Michael the Archangel in God's plan for your life. This St. Michael's Lent, come see how Heaven fights for you. The Lord, the angels, and the saints can't wait to help you strive for victory in your spiritual battles. Access a study guide and learn more about the book here: https://try.hallow.com/stmichael-resources
48 sessions
1Virtues & VicesWelcome to our first day on the journey towards "Victory Over Vice" in this powerful season of St. Michael's Lent. Today, Chris Stefanick and Fr. Isaiah CFR invite us to conquer our vices and grow in virtue. Access a study guide and learn more about the book here: https://try.hallow.com/stmichael-resources
Chris & Fr. Isaiah11 min
2HonorIn this session, we are introduced to St. Francis of Assisi, a remarkable man who was transformed by God. Then, we will pray with "The Salutation of Virtues" written by St. Francis as we respond to the call to offer up something to God during this season.
Chris & Fr. Isaiah12 min
3Queen of AngelsIn this session, Sister Alicia Torres, a member of the Franciscans of the Eucharist of Chicago, will lead us in a Litany to St. Michael. During this time of prayer, we will petition God for an increase in virtue in our lives.
Sr. Alicia7 min
4St. Michael & ScriptureToday, Fr. Ambrose Criste, a Norbertine priest from St. Michael's Abbey, guides us through Revelation 12:7-12 to explore the spiritual strength of St. Michael and the power that God has bestowed upon him for our benefit.
Fr. Ambrose7 min
5Homily: Luke 12:49-53On this Sunday, Fr. Ambrose Criste shares a reflection on the Gospel reading of Luke 12:49-53. He invites us to put more distance between ourselves and our past life of sin so, like St. Francis, we too can set the world on fire.
Fr. Ambrose6 min
6GreatnessChris and Fr. Isaiah are back to kick off our first full week to discuss the vice of pride and the virtue of humility. Today, we'll explore the comfortable early life of St. Francis, then close by meditating on the words of Jesus in Luke 14 and the hymn “Te Splendor et Virtus Patris.”
Chris & Fr. Isaiah12 min
7PursuitToday, we continue the story of St. Francis when his journey toward greatness is interrupted by an encounter with God in a dream. Then, Fr. Isaiah will lead us in reflecting on the words: "Lord, what do you want me to do?"
Chris & Fr. Isaiah12 min
8SweetnessToday we'll hear how Francis's world is turned upside down as he begins to follow Jesus' radical example of humility. Then, Fr. Isaiah will invite us to ask the Lord to make the bitter things in our lives sweet and the sweet things in our lives bitter.
Chris & Fr. Isaiah11 min
9PrideComedian Shayne Smith sits down to talk pride with Fr. Dave Pivonka, President of Franciscan University of Steubenville. Their conversation will explore how pervasive pride is in our society and how the antidote to pride is rooting oneself in truth.
Shayne & Fr. Dave13 min
10HumilitySister Alicia returns to lead us in praying a Litany to St. Michael. During this time of prayer, we will petition God for an increase in the virtue of humility.
Sr. Alicia6 min
11St. Michael DevotionsFr. Ambrose returns to share another St. Michael story. In this session, he will recount Pope Leo XIII's remarkable encounter that led to a strong devotion to the Archangel.
Fr. Ambrose5 min
12Homily: Luke 13:22-30In this session, Fr. Ambrose shares a reflection on the Gospel reading of Luke 13:22-30. He challenges us to learn what it means to possess the Lord as your strength—as your second and true self.
Fr. Ambrose8 min
13RebuildChris and Fr. Isaiah are back to discuss the vice of greed and the virtue of charity. Today, we'll hear about St. Francis’s encounter with Christ at San Damiano. We’ll then close in prayer meditating on the image of Christ on the Cross.
Chris & Fr. Isaiah9 min
14FatherToday, Chris details how Francis’s new way of life clashed with his father’s expectations for him and their family wealth. Then, Fr. Isaiah will invite us to consider what from the world we hold onto too tightly.
Chris & Fr. Isaiah10 min
15BeggarIn today’s session, Chris shares how Francis transformed from leading a comfortable life to caring for lepers and begging for food. Fr. Isiah then encourages us to consider our reliance on creature comforts as he guides us in prayer and reflection.
Chris & Fr. Isaiah10 min
16GreedShayne Smith returns to chat with radio host and author Katie McGrady. They will discuss greed and how one can overcome the constant impulses to have the shiny new things and creature comforts the world offers.
Shayne & Katie13 min
17CharitySister Alicia returns to lead us in praying a Litany to St. Michael. During this time of prayer, we will petition God for an increase in the virtue of charity.
Sr. Alicia6 min
18St. Michael MiraclesToday, Fr. Ambrose shares a powerful story of a miracle that occurred with through intercession of St. Michael during a devastating plague.
Fr. Ambrose5 min
19Homily: Luke 14:1, 7-14On this Sunday, Fr. Ambrose Criste shares a reflection on the Gospel reading of Luke 14:1, 7-14. He invites us to see our life in a topsy-turvy way, motivated by the love of Christ.
Fr. Ambrose7 min
20Burning LoveChris and Fr. Isaiah return to explore the vice of sloth and the virtue of zeal. Today, we'll hear about St. Francis's radical surrender to poverty. We'll then close in prayer, meditating on Revelation 3:15-20.
Chris & Fr. Isaiah11 min
21BrothersToday, Chris shares how Francis’s preaching and example attracted others to his way of life, forming the "Penitents of Assisi." Fr. Isiah then challenges us to consider who God is calling us to love more.
Chris & Fr. Isaiah11 min
22Taking ActionIn today’s session, Chris shares the remarkable story of Francis and his Brothers meeting with Pope Innocent III. Fr. Isiah then invites us into an extended time of silence to consider where God wants us to take action in our own lives.
Chris & Fr. Isaiah11 min
23SlothToday, Shayne sits down with podcast host and author Heather Khym to talk about sloth. They'll discuss how a lack of meaning, not being rooted in God, can lead to the prevalence of this vice in our lives.
Shayne & Heather14 min
24ZealSister Alicia returns to lead us in praying a Litany to St. Michael. During this time of prayer, we will petition God for an increase in the virtue of zeal.
Sr. Alicia6 min
25St. Michael & WarfareFr. Ambrose returns to share another St. Michael story. In this session, he tells us about St. Faustina who was aided by St. Michael during tremendous times of spiritual warfare.
Fr. Ambrose7 min
26Homily: Luke 14:25-33In this session, Fr. Ambrose shares a reflection on the Gospel reading of Luke 14:25-33. He challenges us to consider how much of a price we are willing to pay for Christian discipleship. Can you go "all in"?
Fr. Ambrose7 min
27Little PortionToday, Chris and Fr. Isaiah return to discuss the vice of lust and the virtue of chastity as we learn about St. Francis's resistance against temptation. We’ll then close in prayer by turning to the Lord and experiencing His love.
Chris & Fr. Isaiah12 min
28ClarityToday, Chris introduces us to a close friend of St. Francis and a beautiful model of sacrificial love, St. Clare. Fr. Isaiah then invites us to meditate on John 15:12-17 as we think about those in our lives we are called to love.
Chris & Fr. Isaiah11 min
29WitnessToday, we’ll witness Francis place his life on the line for the salvation of a single soul. Fr. Isiah then invites us to pray for those we want to have conversion of heart and fall deeper in love with the Lord.
Chris & Fr. Isaiah10 min
30Lust**NOTE: Mature themes are discussed.** Shayne is back for a conversation on lust with clinical psychologist Dr. Matthew Breuninger. They'll explore how overcoming lust requires an active pursuit of virtue to crowd out what deceives and distracts.
Shayne & Dr. Breuninger17 min
31ChastitySister Alicia returns to lead us in praying a Litany to St. Michael. During this time of prayer, we will petition God for an increase in the virtue of chastity.
Sr. Alicia6 min
32St. Michael ApparitionsFr. Ambrose returns to share a final St. Michael story. In this session, he shares the a remarkable story that led to the establishment of St. Michael's feast day on September 29.
Fr. Ambrose7 min
33Homily: John 3:13-17On this Feast of the Holy Cross, and the day that St. Francis received the stigmata, Fr. Ambrose shares a reflection on John 3:13-17. He invites us to see the Cross as a kind of a “school”, a place where we can learn the very most important truths of our faith.
Fr. Ambrose7 min
34GiftsChris and Fr. Isaiah return to discuss the vice of envy and the virtue of joy as we learn about St. Francis's struggles with a growing Order. Then, we'll spend time asking God to help strengthen our gifts and resist the temptation to compare ourselves to others.
Chris & Fr. Isaiah10 min
35Praises of GodToday, we will hear about how a suffering and blind Francis persisted with joy as he offered praise to God. Fr. Isaiah then invites us to meditate on phrases from St. Francis's “Praises of God.”
Chris & Fr. Isaiah11 min
36LiberationOn our final day with the story of St. Francis, Chris recounts the last moments of this remarkable saint’s life. Fr. Isaiah will then lead us in praying Psalm 142, the Psalm Francis prayed as he passed from this life into eternity.
Chris & Fr. Isaiah12 min
37EnvyShayne is back for one final conversation on envy with speaker and author Mari Pablo. They'll explore how overcoming envy requires an active pursuit of virtue to crowd out what deceives and distracts.
Shayne & Mari14 min
38JoySister Alicia returns to lead us in praying a Litany to St. Michael. During this time of prayer, we will petition God for an increase in the virtue of joy.
Sr. Alicia6 min
39Novena Day 1Today, Fr. Ambrose leads us in a Novena to St. Michael as we move closer to Michaelmas and the Feast Day of the Holy Archangels. After these 9 days, on September 29, make sure to join St. Michael's Abbey for a special celebration online. Learn more at: https://theabbotscircle.com/michaelmas-2025-vespers-livestream
Fr. Ambrose6 min
40Novena Day 2Today, Fr. Ambrose continues our Novena to St. Michael as we ask for the grace of conversion to reorient our whole self toward God.
Fr. Ambrose6 min
41Novena Day 3Today, Fr. Ambrose continues our Novena to St. Michael as we we ask for grace to persevere to protect us along the way.
Fr. Ambrose5 min
42Novena Day 4Today, Fr. Ambrose continues our Novena to St. Michael as we pray for the grace of zeal to drive us toward the end of our journey.
Fr. Ambrose5 min
43Novena Day 5Today, Fr. Ambrose continues our Novena to St. Michael as we pray for the grace spiritual clarity and learn to see by God’s light.
Fr. Ambrose5 min
44Novena Day 6Today, Fr. Ambrose continues our Novena to St. Michael as we we ask for confidence in Christ’s victory and for hope that we can reach our goal.
Fr. Ambrose5 min
45Novena Day 7Today, Fr. Ambrose continues our Novena to St. Michael as we we ask for the grace of humble obedience and to let God lead.
Fr. Ambrose5 min
46Novena Day 8Today, Fr. Ambrose continues our Novena to St. Michael as we ask for the grace of interior peace and the ability to rest in Christ.
Fr. Ambrose5 min
47Novena Day 9Today, we conclude our Novena to St. Michael before tomorrow's celebration of Michaelmas and the Feast Day of the Holy Archangels. We will pray to become luminous in Christ so we may evangelize this dark world.
Fr. Ambrose5 min
48MichaelmasIt's time to celebrate Michaelmas and the Feast Day of the Holy Archangels,! Today, Fr. Ambrose will close out these past 6 weeks with a final prayer. Then, come celebrate with St. Michael's Abbey during their Vespers celebration online at: https://theabbotscircle.com/michaelmas-2025-vespers-livestream
Fr. Ambrose5 min