Becoming a Saint in Business: Lessons from Joseph Valentic on Faith, Work, and Spiritual Warfare
The Call to Integrate Faith and Work
When Joseph Valentic received the words during Mass, “write a book on how to become a saint by succeeding in business” he didn’t expect his entire life’s trajectory to shift. Yet, like the saints who came before him, Joe learned that God often asks us to step beyond our comfort zone into something bold, something that requires both obedience and trust.
Valentic, a Catholic entrepreneur, author, and founder of The Catholic Curator, has spent decades building businesses while striving to live his Catholic faith authentically. In his new book, Become a Saint by Succeeding in Business, he makes a compelling case that sainthood and success are not rivals, they are our partners.
For Catholic men today, this message is not just refreshing, it’s revolutionary. Too often, men compartmentalize their faith and their professional life. They pray at home or at church, but in the boardroom, on the job site, or in their small business, faith takes a back seat. Joe insists this separation is a mistake.
“We can no more leave our faith at the door of work than we can leave our soul at the door.” – Joseph Valentic
This conviction, that faith must permeate everything we do, drives Joe’s mission. His journey, however, has not been without struggle.
A Cradle Catholic Who Had to Reclaim His Faith
Joe grew up Catholic, but like many men, he went through the motions. It wasn’t until his 30s that he rediscovered Christ. A friend bluntly asked him: “Joe, have you ever thought that maybe God’s trying to get your attention?” That wake-up call set Joe on a path of prayer, study, and eventually authorship.
For the first 25 years of his business career, he found little enthusiasm among Catholics about integrating faith with work. Business was “secular,” and church was “spiritual.” But in the last several years, Joe has noticed a dramatic shift. Catholics are hungry to learn how to live their faith in every part of life, including business.
And that hunger, Joe believes, is a sign of the Holy Spirit’s movement in our time.
The Wisdom of St. Josemaría Escrivá
At the center of Joe’s book is St. Josemaría Escrivá, founder of Opus Dei, who taught that ordinary work is a path to holiness. Escrivá famously said:
“We must turn the prose of everyday work into poetry through the love we put into it.”
For Joe, this isn’t lofty theory. It’s practical theology. Whether you’re a CEO, a teacher, a craftsman, or a janitor, God calls you to do your work with excellence and to offer it to Him.
Joe points to the Parable of the Talents and the Parable of the Gold Coin as biblical proof that God expects us to invest our gifts—not bury them. Excellence in work, when united to prayer and virtue, becomes a path to sainthood.
It’s not about becoming rich or powerful. As Joe puts it:
“It’s about greatness of soul, not greatness of role.”
Discernment, Prayer, and Knowing Yourself
One of the recurring themes in Joe’s life is discernment. Too often, men rush ahead with an idea without slowing down to ask God, “Is this what You want for me right now?”
Joe admits he has made this mistake himself. When business opportunities boomed, he put his book project on the back burner, until God stripped everything away to remind him of his first calling: to write the book.
He emphasizes that discernment begins in prayer, continues in silence, and is confirmed in obedience. But knowing yourself is just as important. Joe encourages men to take charism tests, personality assessments like Patrick Lencioni’s Working Genius, and to identify their root sin.
Why? Because without self-knowledge, you risk wasting years fighting the wrong battles or chasing the wrong dreams.
As St. Augustine wrote: “Lord, let me know myself, and let me know You.”
The Reality of Spiritual Warfare in Business
Perhaps the most striking part of Joe’s message is his insistence that spiritual warfare extends into the business world.
From anxiety attacks on the way to daily Mass, to oppressive thoughts when he first sat down to write his book, Joe has seen firsthand how the devil tries to discourage those pursuing holiness.
“If you’re Catholic and a business owner, and you’re not contemplating the impact of evil on your work, you’re missing a huge piece of your SWOT analysis.”
The devil attacks in subtle ways through imposter syndrome, false guilt, exaggerated failures, or even worldly success that separates us from God.
Joe warns men not to ignore this reality. He recommends daily prayer of deliverance, invoking Christ’s name with authority, and using resources like Fr. Chad Ripperger’s Deliverance Prayers for the Laity and the Catholic Exorcism app.
But above all, he reminds us: the devil is defeated. Christ has already won. Our task is to remain vigilant, clothed in the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10–18).
Lessons from the Saints Who Were Entrepreneurs
One of the unique sections of Joe’s book highlights saints and holy men and women who lived entrepreneurial lives.
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Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin – The parents of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, who ran successful businesses while raising daughters who all became religious, two of whom are on the path to sainthood. Despite losing profits by refusing to sell on Sundays, they trusted God—and He blessed their family abundantly.
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St. Maximilian Kolbe – A Franciscan priest who founded a printing press, radio station, and monastery that became a publishing powerhouse. His entrepreneurial spirit wasn’t about profit but about evangelization. Joe points out Kolbe even designed a working spaceship long before NASA existed.
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St. Columcille (Columba) – By the age of 25, he had founded 27 monasteries and 40 churches. His zeal demonstrates what is possible when we cooperate fully with God’s grace.
These saints show us that holiness and business acumen are not contradictions. When ordered toward God, our entrepreneurial talents can change the world.
Practical Takeaways for Catholic Men
Joe’s message is both inspiring and practical. Here are some key takeaways for Catholic men striving to integrate faith and business:
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Begin and end with prayer – Never start a business decision without inviting God into it. As Proverbs 16:9 reminds us, “Man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”
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Know yourself – Identify your charisms, gifts, and weaknesses. Don’t fight blindfolded.
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Expect spiritual warfare – The enemy will attack your vocation, your family, and your business. Arm yourself daily with prayer, sacraments, and deliverance prayers.
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Pursue excellence – Whether sweeping floors or running a company, offer your best as worship to God.
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Learn from the saints – Look to holy men and women who integrated faith and work with heroic virtue.
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Live boldly, plant seeds – Whether it’s wearing a crucifix, praying in public, or simply running your business ethically, let your witness plant seeds that the Holy Spirit will water.
The Image That Captures the Mission
The cover art for Joe’s platform, The Catholic Curator, is a striking photo of the doors of St. Patrick’s Cathedral opening toward the New York City business district. The camera angle points heavenward, symbolizing the truth that our path to heaven often runs directly through our vocation in business.
The open church doors remind us: faith is not meant to be contained inside the sanctuary. We are sent into the world, into boardrooms, classrooms, job sites, and shops, to sanctify the ordinary.
Conclusion: Men, the Time is Now
Catholic men, the days of keeping your faith private are over. The world is desperate for men of integrity who refuse to separate their faith from their work. Your business, your career, your vocation, it is your battlefield.
As Joe Valentic reminds us, we are warriors in the Church Militant. Mediocrity is not an option. Christ calls you to sanctity, and that call extends into every aspect of your life, including how you provide for your family and serve others through your work.
The saints show us what’s possible. The question is: will we rise to the challenge? Or will we fall to our sins?
The Manly Catholic Podcast
At The Manly Catholic, we are committed to challenging, encouraging, and motivating men to become saints every single day. Through conversations with leaders like Joseph Valentic, we remind men that holiness is not reserved for monks and priests. It is our duty as husbands, fathers, and workers in the world. Join us as we fight the good fight of faith together.
References and Resources
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