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.
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
9 snips
Nov 7, 2025 • 23min
Day 311: Adultery and Divorce (2025)
This discussion dives deep into the moral implications of adultery, emphasizing how it tarnishes marital promises and affects families. Lust is explored as a desire that diminishes genuine love. The conversation on divorce covers its societal impact and the need for pastoral care and healing. Fr. Mike highlights God's mercy and the importance of repentance in the face of marital struggles. Listeners are reminded of the hope found in reconciliation and love, even amidst life’s challenges.
7 snips
Nov 6, 2025 • 20min
Day 310: The Gift of a Child (2025)
Fr. Mike discusses the profound truth that children are a divine gift, emphasizing their rights and dignity. He explores how the creation of life connects to the sexual act, framing it as essential for respecting a child's worth. The conversation touches on the scriptural view of large families as blessings and highlights the emotional pain of sterility. Ethical considerations around infertility treatments and the rejection of artificial methods underscore the importance of maintaining the sanctity of marriage. Abandoning entitlement, he encourages couples to seek spiritual growth through adoption and service.
16 snips
Nov 5, 2025 • 27min
Day 309: Faithful and Fruitful Marriage (2025)
Exploring the language of married love, the discussion highlights total self-giving and fidelity. Fr. Mike discusses how marital love mirrors God's own love, emphasizing its free, faithful, and fruitful nature. Contraception is critiqued for contradicting the essence of marital commitment, while natural family planning is affirmed. The significance of vows, openness to life, and the importance of mutual support in marriage are underscored, alongside the moral implications of procreation and the role of the state.
20 snips
Nov 4, 2025 • 33min
Day 308: Same-Sex Attraction (2025)
Fr. Mike delves into the Catechism's perspectives on same-sex attraction, emphasizing the Church's teachings on sexuality rooted in divine purpose. He highlights the importance of chastity and the unique roles of sexual union and procreation. With compassion, he addresses how the Church calls for respect and dignity for individuals, while also discussing the reasoning behind the Church's stance on homosexual acts. Fr. Mike encourages paths to holiness through self-mastery and the power of faith, framing struggles as opportunities for spiritual growth.
9 snips
Nov 3, 2025 • 25min
Day 307: Offenses Against Chastity (2025)
Dive into a candid discussion about the intended purpose of our sexuality. Explore offenses against chastity, from lust and pornography to prostitution and rape. Fr. Mike emphasizes the importance of human dignity, even in the face of sin. He provides pastoral insights on dealing with these transgressions, focusing on the impact of selfish habits like masturbation. The conversation highlights the moral implications and calls for healing through prayer and community support.
8 snips
Nov 2, 2025 • 22min
Day 306: Gift of Self (2025)
Chastity is explored as a journey of self-mastery and the art of giving oneself to others. Fr. Mike highlights how this virtue enhances true friendship and the integration of sexuality. He discusses different expressions of chastity for various life states, emphasizing that everyone is called to this path. The connection between friendship and love is examined, referencing C.S. Lewis’s insights. Each point underlines the transformative power of chastity in fostering spiritual fidelity and personal growth.
10 snips
Nov 1, 2025 • 25min
Day 305: The Call to Chastity (2025)
Explore the profound virtue of chastity, defined as integrating sexuality within our whole selves. Fr. Mike highlights its role in fostering freedom and self-mastery, emphasizing it is a lifelong journey. Discover the distinction between chastity and celibacy while learning why romance must adhere to proper order. Delve into the consequences of succumbing to passions and uncover practical ways to cultivate this essential virtue. Gain insight into how chastity is both a moral gift and a grace nurtured by the Holy Spirit.
6 snips
Oct 31, 2025 • 18min
Day 304: Male and Female (2025)
Explore the profound reasons behind God creating us male and female. Delve into the significance of human sexuality as a reflection of love and communion. Discover how sexual identity is rooted in our bodies and the importance of complementarity between the sexes. Fr. Mike highlights the equal dignity of men and women and discusses the vocation of marriage as an imitation of divine generosity. The conversation also confronts human brokenness in sexuality, offering insights into redemption and purity.
16 snips
Oct 30, 2025 • 14min
Day 303: Summary of the Fifth Commandment (2025)
Explore the sacredness of human life from conception to death as discussed by Fr. Mike. He highlights that every life is willed by God and emphasizes the Church's consistent ethic of life. The conversation covers serious topics like the prohibition of abortion, euthanasia, and the moral obligations surrounding legitimate defense. Additionally, he stresses that defensive actions must be rooted in love, not vengeance, and wraps up with a reminder of the importance of moral teachings that guide our understanding of dignity and justice.
19 snips
Oct 29, 2025 • 18min
Day 302: War (2025)
Explore the Church's guidance on war and peace as Fr. Mike delves into just war theory. Learn about the criteria for legitimate defense and the moral considerations for engaging in conflict. He emphasizes the importance of exhausting all peaceful means before resorting to arms. Discover how moral law applies even in battle, and the need to resist unjust orders. Fr. Mike also highlights the causes of war, urging actions to promote peace, and offers a hopeful vision of transforming conflict into compassion.
