GOTTA BE SAINTS

The Mission:

To help men and woman discover that they are fearfully and wonderfully made by a God who loves them!

Bishop Martin, TLM, and the Great Liturgical Divide

As a member of Bishop Michael Martin’s flock, I feel compelled to speak from the heart about all that’s been unfolding lately....

How the Heck Did We Get Here? Episode 100

Hey, y'all! As someone who signed up for this email, I just wanted to say thank you. I appreciate having you here and being able to keep...

Litany of Belief

Lord, I believe You love me; Help my unbelief. I believe others love me as well; Help my unbelief. I believe You will take care of me;...

Litany of Social Media

O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, Hear me. From the desire of receiving likes, Deliver me, O Jesus. From the desire of being considered...

The Rosary Option

Allow me to mention that the title is encouraged by Carrie Gress’ book “The Marian Option”, which in turn was largely conceived of as a...

Three Tips for Fasting This Lent

Let me start by saying this, I like watching the fast break in basketball, eating fast food, watching some of the Fast and Furious movies...

Perfect Joy according to St. Francis of Assisi

One day in winter, as Saint Francis was going with Brother Leo from Perugia to Saint Mary of the Angels, and was suffering greatly from...

Our Lady of Sorrows Sequence

At the cross her station keeping, Stood the mournful Mother weeping, Close to Jesus to the last. Through her heart, his sorrow sharing,...

Be Satisfied with Me

by St. Anthony of Padua Everyone longs to give themselves completely to someone, To have a deep soul relationship with another, To be...

Can We Just Talk Mental Health?

On this week's podcast, I spoke with Anna Maria Ortiz and Elizabeth Pastina about mental health. Below are their notes. Hopefully they...

A Reflection on Humility

I woke up this morning, made my coffee, and opened up my Bible. I’ve been going through the Book of Sirach, and the section today was...

Advice From The Mother

It seems wherever we look, temptation is staring us in the face. The billboard cruising down the highway with the lustful photo, the...

All The Advice You've Been Given

You’ve Been Given A Lot of Advice Everyone wants to give you their two cents - from your academic advisor to your coach to your mom to...

You've Got Potential!

Each and everyone one of us was put on this earth at this exact moment. Why? Simply: Because He knows your potential and believes in...

Sin, Virtue & Self-Denial

“It is impossible for us to break the law. We can only break ourselves against the law.” I came across this quote the other day and it...

Choosing Your Cross

"Nobody's better than you, and you're no better than anybody." We love to parrot Mary Mihalic's quote over and over again, but often we...

The Secret to Sainthood

When we look at the lives of the Saints, the plan God had for each and every one was beautifully unique. Even still, humility bound them...

I Am Going Fishing

It's day six of the Easter season, and after a long Lenten journey, I think most of us agree that the switch couldn't have come at a...

Were not our hearts burning within us? Part Two

I want to ask you a few questions. Firstly, is your life different since COVID-19? And secondarily, have you made strides in becoming the...

Is He who He says He is?

Today we celebrate the Institution of the Eucharist and the Priesthood. The Easter Triduum is upon us and I think over these next few...

The Vision:

To be a voice of truth to anyone who will listen. We are called to be Saints and God wants to help us get there.

CONTACT

gottabesaints@gmail.com

Today is the Feast of the Holy Family. This feast developed as the Church reflected more deeply on the hidden years of Christ’s life, recognizing that God chose to sanctify family life itself by living within it.

While devotion to the Holy Family grew steadily over centuries, the feast was formally extended to the entire Church in the early 20th century, offering a response to cultural shifts that challenged marriage and family life.

By placing this feast within the Christmas season, the Church invites us to look beyond the manger and contemplate the everyday faithfulness of Nazareth, where love, sacrifice, and obedience quietly shaped the life of Christ.

Here are a few quotes to reflect on here today.

#gottabesaints #holyfamily #christmas

Happy feast of St. John the Apostle.

From the Cross, Jesus entrusted John with a final, tender command: “Behold, your mother.” In that moment, Mary became his mother—and ours. John teaches us that to follow Christ closely is to welcome Mary into our lives and let her lead us more deeply into the heart of her Son.

#gottabesaints #christmas #stjohn

Today we remember Saint Stephen and the words he spoke as his life was taken.

“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit,” and “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” In his final moments, Stephen echoed Christ Himself, choosing trust and forgiveness instead of fear or hatred.

Holiness is often revealed not in comfort, but in the words we speak when it costs us everything.

Saint Stephen, pray for us.

#gottabesaints #saints #martyr

Merry Christmas y’all! Rejoice, for today Christ is born.

#christmas #faith #jesus

A beautiful reflection from the priest at Mass tonight.

Merry Christmas!

#gottabesaints #christmas #adoreHim

The Christ Child is almost here. Let us go adore Him!

#christmas #advent #gottabesaints

Do you live a life with Christ at the center?

#christ #gottabesaints #catholic

Have you ever wanted to visit France? Now is the time!

Meredith and I have been blessed to visit France multiple times over the last few years, and every time we return, we’re convinced of the same thing: it might be one of the most beautiful and meaningful places in the world. The history. The culture. The food. The art. And woven through it all, deep and undeniable Catholic roots that still speak today.

France is a country shaped by saints, pilgrimage, sacrifice, and devotion. You feel it when you walk its streets, pray in its churches, and stand in places where holy men and women once gave their lives completely to God. It’s not just a trip. It’s an encounter.

That’s why we’re so excited to share that we’re leading a pilgrimage to southern France, alongside @trinitytourtravelspilgrimages and Father Louis Meronse.

This journey will bring us to places like Marseille’s stunning Notre-Dame de la Garde, the quiet and prayerful Saint-Baume where Saint Mary Magdalene once lived, the ancient city of Arles, the breathtaking shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in the French Alps, Lyon’s cathedral, and the shrine of Saint John Vianney. And that’s only part of what’s included.

If you’ve ever dreamed of visiting France, or if your heart longs to step away from the noise of everyday life and walk where the saints once walked, this pilgrimage may be for you. We would be honored to experience it with so many from the Gotta Be Saints community.

We’re hosting a virtual informational meeting on January 5th, 2026, at 7:30 PM Eastern, where we’ll share the full vision for the trip and answer any questions. If you’re even a little curious, join us.

Type FRANCE in the comments and I’ll send you the details. Come journey with us!

#pilgrimage #catholic #gottabesaints

He always wants the best for us. Take consolation in that.

#gottabesaints #faith #advent

A question to ponder on this Saturday of the Third Week of Advent.

Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.

#gottabesaints #eucharist #catholic

With Christmas just around the corner, I want to invite you to draw nearer to the Blessed Virgin.

Her ten principal virtues are deep humility, lively faith, blind obedience, unceasing prayer, constant self-denial, surpassing purity, ardent love, heroic patience, angelic kindness, and heavenly wisdom.

Choose one each day to focus on. Let her help you on your journey toward holiness.

#mary #catholic #gottabesaints

Have you eve struggled with your Catholic faith? This podcast is for you!

This week on Gotta Be Saints, I sit down with Vatican reporter and author Colleen Dulle for an honest, hope-filled conversation about why we stay Catholic even when it’s hard.

Yes, the Church is made up of imperfect people. Yes, there are real wounds. And still: the Catholic Church and its teachings are true. This is Christ’s Church, built on the rock, sustained by the Holy Spirit, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. That’s why we stay.

If you’ve ever felt disappointed, tired, or tempted to drift, this episode will remind you that our hope is not in personalities or politics, but in Jesus Himself, truly present and faithful to His promises.

Type “podcast” and I’ll send you the link.

#podcast #faith #gottabesaints

“This is to get you in the Christmas spirit!”

No season brings out the best in people like the Christmas season. I hope this brings you joy like it brought me.

#christmas #advent #gottabesaints

Today is the sixth anniversary of Gotta Be Saints, and as I look back, I find myself thanking God for every moment, big and small.

Some highlights from the past year include:
- Partnering with @truthly.ai
- Visiting London and France for vacation and pilgrimage (shoutout to St. Therese)
- Visiting Rome for the Jubilee of Digital Missionaries and meeting some amazing folks
- Visiting Mexico with Cardinal Burke
- Reaching 90K followers
- Booking our first ever Retreat and Pilgrimage for 2026
- And of course, numerous kind, thoughtful, encouraging and heartfelt conversations and messages with y’all

I know that God has invited me to be here in this space, to share about the lives of the saints and remind each and every one of you that you’re called to be a saint. I pray I don’t ever take it for granted. Thank you for journeying with me. Can’t wait to see what this next year holds!

As always, pray for me and I will pray for you!

God alone,

Brendan

As we enter into this third week of Advent, I think it worth reflecting on the reality that God wants to be a part of our lives every single day, and not only on Sunday. It is sometimes easy to forget about the importance of prayer and relationship during the busyness, but we need God in every aspect of our lives. Invite God to be a greater part of your life today.

#gottabesaints #advent #God

Happy Third Sunday of Advent and Feast of St. John of the Cross!

#catholic #advent #gottabesaints

Happy Feast of St. Lucy!

St Lucy, you preferred to let your eyes be torn out instead of denying the faith and defiling your soul; and God, through an extraordinary miracle, replaced them with another pair of sound and perfect eyes to reward your virtue and faith, appointing you as the protector against eye diseases. I come to you for you to protect my eyesight and to heal the illness in my eyes.

O St Lucy, preserve the light of my eyes so that I may see the beauties of creation, the glow of the sun, the colour of the flowers and the smile of children.

Preserve also the eyes of my soul, the faith, through which I can know my God, understand His teachings, recognise His love for me and never miss the road that leads me to where you, St Lucy, can be found in the company of the angels and saints.

St Lucy, protect my eyes and preserve my faith. Amen.

#stlucy #gottabesaints #faith

Today we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe!

Back in November, I had the incredible gift of visiting Guadalupe on pilgrimage, and I can honestly say I was blown away. Standing in that place, praying before the tilma, you can feel how near Our Lady is, how tender her presence is, and how deeply she loves her children. It’s one thing to know the story, and another to be there and realize this really happened. She really appeared. She really spoke. And she is still at work.

What struck me most is how Our Lady of Guadalupe never points to herself. She draws us closer to her Son. Always. Quietly, gently, faithfully. She meets us where we are and leads us to Jesus, reminding us that we belong to Him and that we are seen, known, and loved.

If you’re reading this, take it as a little invitation. Go to Mass today if you can. Or pray a Rosary. Both is even better. Let Our Lady take you by the hand and lead you back to her Son.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.

#ourladyofguadalupe #mary #gottabesaints

Never forget how much God loves you.

#gottabesaints #God #Catholic

This Advent, look for ways to surrender more to the Father.

#advent #gottabesaints #God

Maybe my favorite holiday video of all-time. May we all see the world like this kid does.

#advent #christmas #faith

Today we honor St. Juan Diego, who met Our Lady on Tepeyac Hill. God didn’t choose him because he was powerful, educated, or important. He chose him because he was faithful.

Juan Diego simply listened, obeyed, and carried the message he was given — and through his obedience, millions came to know Christ. Our Lady still speaks to us today, calling us to trust like he did, to bring Christ to others with quiet courage and simple faith.

St. Juan Diego, pray for us, that we may be faithful in the mission God has placed before us, no matter how small it seems.

#gottabesaints #saintjuandiego #faith

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. Make sure you get to Mass.

#immaculateconception #holydayofobligation #gottabesaints

Reminder that tomorrow is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, and is a Holy Day of Obligation. Send this to your friend who needs the reminder!

#immaculateconception #OurLady #gottabesaints

As we enter into the Second Sunday of Advent, I find myself more reflective than usual. Over these next couple of weeks, we are given powerful imagery: the Blessed Virgin Mary saying yes to becoming the Mother of God, her journey to visit her cousin Elizabeth, the quiet strength of Saint Joseph, and the road to Bethlehem that culminates in the birth of Jesus — God made man in a humble stable.

As I reflect on all of this, I’m struck by the invitation to enter into silence with the Lord. I have no doubt that Mary had many moments of quiet after Gabriel’s message — on her way to Elizabeth, and later as she prepared for the coming of her child. And there is Joseph’s silence as well: the silence of a man wrestling with questions, wondering how to be a father to the Son of God. Such beautiful, holy silence.

What good is this silence for you and me? It creates the space to ponder the burning questions within our hearts. Questions like: Lord, what do You desire from me? How can I serve You better?

So my invitation to you on this Second Sunday of Advent is simple: spend time with Him in silence over the next couple of weeks. Let Him speak to your heart.

God bless you all.

- Brendan Gotta

Happy Feast of St. Nicholas!

#gottabesaints #faith #stnick

A beautiful reminder for all of us. Choose faithfulness today.

#gottabesaints #advent #faith

Most visitors to Saint-Malo look only to the old stone churches inside the walled city. But just beyond the ramparts stands Église Notre-Dame-des-Grèves, a parish with a very different story.

This church was built on land reclaimed from the sea, on the former tidal flats of Rocabey. When its first nave opened in 1872, it was small, simple, and even had unfinished columns because funds ran out. It served dockworkers, families, and newcomers building their lives outside the historic center.

Over the next sixty years, the community slowly expanded the structure—adding towers, vaults, a transept, and a luminous choir. In 1938, the church was finally consecrated. Unlike the grand monuments built by bishops, nobles, or corsairs, Notre-Dame-des-Grèves grew through the persistence of ordinary people.

Today, its bright stained glass fills the granite walls with color, and its history reflects the growth of Saint-Malo itself: faith that moved beyond the old walls, and a parish that rose where the sea once stood.

#saintmalo #france #churchesandsteeples

Today the Church honors St. John of Damascus, priest, monk, theologian, and a great defender of sacred images.

At a time when many wanted to destroy icons, he reminded the world that because God became man, we can depict Him. The Incarnation changes everything. Christ did not remain distant; He took on flesh, entered history, and made Himself visible. We honor icons not as idols, but as windows into the reality of God’s love.

May St. John of Damascus teach us to let what we see draw us to the One we were made for.

St. John of Damascus, pray for us.

#gottabesaints #saintoftheday #doctorofthechurch

A little late to the ballgame, but happy Feast of St. Francis Xavier. Growing up, I went to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and School, and his missionary zeal has always inspired me. May we be like St. Francis and bring Christ to all those we encounter.

#gottabesaints #saintoftheday #catholic

Embrace the Cross. It is truly a gift from God for the very reason that it brings us closer to Him.

#cross #advent #gottabesaints

I’m sure you’re like me and have a crazy next couple of weeks. Closing out work projects, Christmas parties, time with your family and in-laws, buying presents, taking vacation, etc. It’s a lot and can cause some stress and anxiety. Knowing that, I invite you to turn to the Lord and let Him be at the center of all we do! Let Him provide the peace you need.

#gottabesaints #advent #faith

As we enter into this Advent season, let us be preachers of the truth.

#advent #faith #gottabesaints

Today begins the St. Andrew Novena.

If you’ve never prayed it before, today is the perfect time to start.

From now until Christmas Eve, this short daily prayer helps us slow down, stay grounded, and keep our hearts fixed on Christ as we prepare for His coming.

If you want to join in, start today.

#advent #gottabesaints #standrewnovena

Today is the First Sunday of Advent—a season of hope and preparation.

Advent invites us to pause, reflect, and prepare our
hearts for Jesus’ coming at Christmas and His return.

How will you enter into this season? Let’s journey
together. Come, Lord Jesus!

#FirstSundayOfAdvent #AdventSeason #GottaBeSaints

Go to Mary. She’ll lead you to her son, Jesus.

#mary #jesus #gottabesaints

Advent is almost here, and unless we’re intentional, the pace of this season can pull us in every direction except toward the One we’re actually preparing for. I want to offer a few ideas—practices that can keep us grounded, help us slow down, and make room for Christ in a real way over the next few weeks:

• Start the St. Andrew Novena on the 30th
• Pray the Rosary daily
• Spend 30 minutes in prayer at your church
• Read the infancy narratives
• Go to daily Mass when you’re able

May these days help us stay close to Him as we wait in hope for His coming.

#gottabesaints #advent #prayer

Today, as we celebrate Thanksgiving here in the States, I’m reminded of the profound connection between this holiday and our faith. The word “Eucharist” itself means “thanksgiving,” and it truly is the source and summit of our lives as Catholics. What better way to reflect on gratitude than by turning our hearts to Jesus in the Eucharist, the ultimate gift? May today be filled with joy, love, and thanksgiving for all God has given us!

#thanksgiving #eucharist #gottabesaints

I had the chance to visit a few beautiful churches in the Brittany region back in May, and one that really stood out was the Church of Saint-Malo de Paramé. Its history is incredible. The parish dates back to at least the 1100s, and by the 1500s it was already a thriving community with a well-established church. The “old” parish church was rebuilt in the early 1700s and served the people of Paramé for more than a century before the growing town needed something larger.

With the rise of seaside tourism and the expansion of the area in the 1800s, a new church was built—what you see today. Designed in a striking neo-Gothic style and completed in 1883, it still stands as one of the key churches of Saint-Malo.

A reminder of how deeply faith and history run through even the quiet corners of France.

#gottabesaints #churchesandsteeples #saintmalo

This week on the Gotta Be Saints Podcast, I sat down with Dr. Charlie Camosy to talk about something our culture avoids but every one of us will face: how to live and die well. We talked about physician-assisted killing, the dignity of the human person, and what it really means to accompany someone in their final years with love, presence, and hope.

This conversation isn’t just academic for me. As some of you know, my dad has Lewy Body Dementia. Walking with him through this season has changed how I understand suffering and what it means to care for someone when life becomes fragile. It’s made this topic deeply personal, and it’s one of the reasons I wanted to bring Charlie on.

If you want to listen, type LIVE and I’ll send you the link.

#gottabesaints #catholic #christian

Over the past few years, Meredith and I have been incredibly blessed to travel, pray, and walk with so many of you on this journey toward holiness. Today, I’m excited to finally share something we’ve been quietly working on behind the scenes.

From September 2–12, 2026, Gotta Be Saints is hosting a pilgrimage to southeastern France. We’ve partnered with Fr. Louis Merosne and Trinity Tour Travels to make this a truly prayerful and unforgettable experience.

We’ll be visiting places rich with beauty and holiness—Marseille, Sainte-Baume (the final home of St. Mary Magdalene), Arles, Avignon, La Salette, Lyon, Ars, and more. Each day will include Mass, time for prayer, community, and the kind of spiritual depth we all long for.

If you’re interested in learning more, we’re hosting an info call on January 5, 2026.

Type FRANCE in the comments, and I’ll send you the link.

Hope you’ll consider joining us. It would be a gift to make this journey together.

#france #gottabesaints #pilgrimage

Happy Solemnity of Christ the King! Get to Mass today and give praise and glory to the King of Kings.

#christtheking #gottabesaints #jesus

Lord, let me love you above all else!

#gottabesaints #faith #catholic

The Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary commemorates the tradition that Mary, as a young child, was brought by her parents, Saints Joachim and Anne, to the Temple in Jerusalem and dedicated entirely to God’s service. While this event is not recorded in Scripture, it comes from ancient Christian tradition and early writings like the Protoevangelium of James.

The feast highlights Mary’s lifelong consecration to God, preparing her to become the Mother of the Messiah. It reminds the Church that Mary’s holiness did not begin at the Annunciation — her whole life was oriented toward God from the very start.

#feast #gottabesaints #mary

Lord, help me form my heart to yours.

#gottabesaints #saints #faith #jesus #christ #heart

Last night at Bible study we were asked, “What are you focusing on this week?”

My answer was simple: spending more time with the Lord.

I go to daily Mass, pray the Rosary most days, host a Bible study, and usually spend some time before or after Mass in prayer.

And yet… I know Jesus is inviting me deeper. And honestly, I’m craving more.

Why? Because I’ve had seasons where it was just Him and me — quiet, personal, honest conversations with the Lord. But lately life has been busier than ever, and the thing I’ve allowed to slip is my personal prayer. Not the structured stuff — the relationship.

I don’t need to pray like a monk. But I know I need that quiet time with Him so I can be the husband I’m called to be, the worker I’m supposed to be, and the man He wants me to become.

So here’s my invitation to you today:
Take an honest look at your priorities.
If your relationship with Jesus isn’t at the front, ask yourself what needs to shift.

Look to the sacraments.
Look to personal prayer.

It makes all the difference.

#gottabesaints #prayer #personal #trust #silence #catholic #christian

Most people fear aging. But what if your later years are actually the holiest years of your life?

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI to talk about his new book Insane for the Light — and why aging, weakness, and even suffering can become a powerful act of love. We dive into the hidden grace of caregiving, the spiritual fruit of passivity, and how our final years can bless our families in ways our strength never could.

This conversation is challenging, hopeful, and absolutely essential. If you or someone in your life is aging, this episode is for you.

Type LIFE for a link.

#podcast #gottabesaints #faith #life #aging #catholic

Did you read today’s first reading? It’s the story of Eleazar.

If you don’t know it, it’s absolutely beautiful, and honestly, it hits hard.

This elderly, faithful man is pressured to eat pork or die. To us, that might sound almost preposterous. But for the Jewish people, avoiding pork wasn’t about diet, it was about obedience. It was a holy law given by God, a way of living set apart for Him.

Eleazar refuses to violate that covenant, even when everyone around him urges him to compromise ‘just a little.’ And in the end, he gives up his life rather than pretend he doesn’t belong to the Lord.

He had a heart that refused to forget God.

May his courage challenge us today to stay faithful in all things, big and small.

#gottabesaints #faith #catholic #christian #bible #readings

Happy Feast of St. Elizabeth of Hungary!

#feast #gottabesaints #saint #catholic #christian

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