Most people guess at God's will. You don't have to.
Maria Gallagher’s Journey from Journalism to Pro-Life Advocacy
A Footsteps to Heaven podcast episode
with Terry Modica
How do you know if God is calling you to make a major life change?
In this episode of Footsteps to Heaven, Terry Modica talks with author, speaker, and pro-life advocate Maria Gallagher about her journey from secular journalism to full-time pro-life ministry. Through prayer, the Rosary, Eucharistic adoration, and spiritual discernment, Maria discovered God’s plan for her life — even when the path was uncertain.
In this episode, Terry Modica and Maria Gallagher discuss:
• Signs God may be calling you to something new
• How joy and discomfort can reveal God’s direction
• The importance of prayer, journaling, and quiet listening
• Trusting God during financial uncertainty
• How God uses your past experiences for His purpose
• Practical ways to discern your vocation and calling
If you are struggling to understand God’s will for your life, this conversation will encourage and inspire you.
📚 Maria Gallagher’s books: Available through Marian Press at shopmercy.org
Visit her website: MariaVGallagher.com
Connect with her on Instagram: @mariavgallagher
⏱ Chapters:
0:51 Meet Maria Gallagher | From Journalist to Pro-Life Advocate
2:02 How Prayer and the Rosary Changed Maria’s Life
3:22 Finding Joy in God’s Calling
4:13 Why Maria Left Secular Journalism
5:16 The Unexpected Door God Opened
6:30 Moving to Pennsylvania and Trusting the Holy Spirit
7:25 Signs You’re Being Called to Something New
8:55 How God Uses Your Past Experiences
10:07 The Challenges of Following God’s Will
12:11 Relying on God’s Strength During Difficult Times
14:24 Prayer Habits That Help Discern God’s Voice
20:47 How to Discern God’s Plan for Your Life
22:06 Listening to God in Silence and Journaling
23:18 Seeking Wise Counsel and Community
24:44 Recognizing the Gifts God Gave You
26:02 Journaling Through Spiritual Discernment
27:28 Trusting God Financially During Big Life Changes
30:38 Maria Gallagher’s Books on Mary and Faith
32:39 Terry Modica’s Workbook on Knowing God’s Will
Video Excerpt
Terry Modica:
Maria is an author, an advocate, a speaker, and life coach from Pennsylvania. As a journalist, she received awards from the Associated Press, the Society of Professional Journalists, and the Cleveland Press Club.
She is the author of four published books, all through Marion Press, which are available at shopmercy.org. That’s shopmercy.org. By figuring out God’s will for her life, she left her career as a secular journalist to become a full-time pro-life advocate.
Maria, that’s a big career jump. What motivated you to do that?
Maria Gallagher:
Well, I have to say it was the result of a whole lot of prayer, and I believe the intercession of the Blessed Mother that I made that change, and probably, too, the promptings of my mother in particular, who had often wondered how long I would really stay in journalism, because as a young woman in high school, she had been the student reporter for her local newspaper. And although she enjoyed writing, she didn’t enjoy the atmosphere at the newspaper. And so she wondered how long I would last.
I think I lasted a lot longer than she had predicted. But what happened was that at one point in my life, I decided to go on a retreat at my parents’ parish, and this had a profound effect on me. And for the first time in a long time, I returned to the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
And I felt so unburdened and so free after that. And subsequent to that, I began praying a rosary every single day. And that led me to become involved in the pro-life group at my parish, and I participated in a rosary procession at the local abortion facility in Columbus, Ohio.
And that led to me becoming a sidewalk counselor, where I discussed resources and possibilities with women who were seeking abortion, that they might choose life for their children. And I decided that the more I became involved in the pro-life movement, the more joyful I was. And I felt that this was a real call in my life to become involved in the pro-life movement.
But I found that to be incompatible with my job as a public radio reporter. And in public broadcasting, as in much of broadcasting, the Bible of the industry is something called the Associated Press Stylebook. And that style book tells you how to refer to different issues and controversies.
For instance, you cannot use the phrase pro-life in your reports. You have to say anti-abortion activists. You cannot say unborn child or unborn baby.
You have to say fetus. And I became increasingly disenchanted with that censorship, basically, in my writing. And I think the tip off came when a fellow journalist thought that I was really off the wall because I was reading a Catholic publication at my desk in my free time.
He thought that was really radical. And I decided this is not the environment for me. I don’t think it’s radical to be reading Catholic publications.
In fact, I think it’s a very good thing. And I didn’t appreciate the fact that I was being silenced a great deal in my reporting on the issue of abortion. And so I really didn’t know where to turn….
For help in discerning God’s plans for you, get my workbook “Knowing God’s Will and Doing It Well“
