The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Ascension
In Ascension’s The Catechism in a Year podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz guides you through the entire Catechism of the Catholic Church in 365 episodes, providing explanation, insight, and encouragement along the way. Unlike any other Catechism podcast, The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) podcast follows a reading plan inspired by Ascension’s Foundations of Faith approach, a color-coded approach that reveals the structure of the Catechism, making it easier to read and understand. With this podcast, you’ll finally understand what it means to be Catholic and how the beliefs of the Catholic Faith come together. Listen and… Read the ENTIRE Catechism of the Catholic Church in 365 days Understand the essentials of the Catholic Faith and why they matter Understand how Church teaching is rooted in Sacred Scripture Absorb over 2,000 years of Sacred Tradition Encounter God’s plan of sheer goodness for your life Each 15-20 minute episode includes: A guided prayer to help you enter into each episode A reading from the Catechism of the Catholic Church An explanation from Fr. Mike Schmitz about the reading The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Episodes
Mentioned books
7 snips
Sep 18, 2026 • 19min
Day 261: Justification (2026)
What does it mean to be justified? Explore how the Holy Spirit transforms the heart, cleanses sin, and restores a person to friendship with God. The discussion connects grace with faith, freedom, conversion, and charity, while exploring sanctification, daily obedience, and the extraordinary mercy revealed through salvation.
10 snips
Sep 17, 2026 • 11min
Day 260: Summary of the Moral Law (2026)
A focused review of the moral law, from its imprint on every human heart to its fulfillment in Christ. The discussion explores natural law, the Ten Commandments, conscience, civil society, and the New Law of grace. It also considers God’s commandments as loving guidance that leads toward freedom, joy, love, and human flourishing.
8 snips
Sep 16, 2026 • 19min
Day 259: The New Commandment (2026)
Explore the Golden Rule and Jesus’ New Commandment through the lens of love, grace, and freedom. The discussion connects the Sermon on the Mount with apostolic teachings on virtue, forgiveness, peace, and gratitude, while distinguishing commandments from the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience. It also considers the call to holiness and the need for grace to love generously.
12 snips
Sep 15, 2026 • 16min
Day 258: The New Law (2026)
Explore the New Law of the Gospel as expressed in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. The discussion examines how the Holy Spirit, charity, and the Sacraments unite moral teaching with the grace to live it. It also considers the Beatitudes, radical commands such as loving enemies, and the call to reread Matthew 5–7 as a direct invitation to transformation.
18 snips
Sep 14, 2026 • 13min
Day 257: The Old Law (2026)
A thoughtful look at the Old Law as the first stage of God’s revealed plan. The discussion explores the Ten Commandments, how moral law establishes justice, exposes sin, and points toward mercy. It also considers how the Old Law prepares the way for the Gospel, while the Holy Spirit transforms obedience from obligation into freedom.
16 snips
Sep 13, 2026 • 26min
Day 256: The Natural Moral Law (2026)
A thoughtful introduction to moral law explores how divine wisdom guides humanity toward beatitude. The discussion examines natural law as a moral sense inscribed in every human soul, the relationship between reason, freedom, conscience, and responsibility, and how the Ten Commandments express universal principles. It also considers why sin clouds moral understanding and why grace and revelation remain essential.
16 snips
Sep 12, 2026 • 17min
Day 255: Human Solidarity (2026)
The conclusion of the social justice section explores human solidarity, the common good, and the tension between private property and the needs of others. It moves from policy to personal conversion, inviting practical care for strangers, coworkers, spouses, and anyone facing hardship. Along the way, it considers how grace turns abstract brotherhood into attentive, dignifying human connection.
8 snips
Sep 11, 2026 • 21min
Day 254: Social Justice (2026)
A thoughtful exploration of social justice rooted in human dignity. The discussion considers equality without sameness, the rights people possess before governments, and the balance between personal responsibility and society’s duty to provide what is owed. It also turns to charity, serving the disadvantaged, loving enemies, and confronting economic and social inequality without hatred.
7 snips
Sep 10, 2026 • 22min
Day 253: Participation in Public Life (2026)
What does it mean to participate in public life? This reflection explores personal responsibility, subsidiarity, meaningful work, active citizenship, and the call to become informed voters. It also considers conversion, justice, trustworthy institutions, and the stories and values that shape future generations.
9 snips
Sep 9, 2026 • 18min
Day 252: The Common Good (2026)
What does the common good really mean, and where does it begin? Explore the connection between personal dignity, social responsibility, human rights, and the conditions needed for people to flourish. The discussion also examines legitimate authority, peace, international cooperation, and the call to help those facing poverty, displacement, and exploitation.
