
The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
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.
Latest episodes

Nov 23, 2024 • 57min
Day 328: How We Pray (Part 4 Intro w/ Sr. Miriam James Heidland) (2024)
Sr. Miriam James Heidland, a member of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity, shares her journey of faith and insights on deepening prayer. She discusses the transformative power of prayer, urging listeners to overcome misconceptions and recognize their rightful relationship with God. The conversation highlights the importance of honesty in prayer and relationships, as well as embracing love and mercy. Listeners are encouraged to engage in contemplative prayer, deepening their connection with God and fostering authenticity in their spiritual lives.

Nov 22, 2024 • 14min
Day 327: Poverty of Heart (2024)
Where should we find consolation? It's essential to remember that our ultimate goal and true source of happiness is God. With this in mind, Fr. Mike emphasizes the need to detach ourselves from worldly possessions and strive to be channels of God's grace. By doing so, when we receive blessings, we can in turn become a blessing to others. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2544-2557.
This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB.
For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy
Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Nov 21, 2024 • 20min
Day 326: Envy and Jealousy (2024)
Explore the depths of envy and jealousy, often labeled as the diabolical sins. Discover the transformative power of humility and goodwill in overcoming these destructive desires. Delve into the emotional distinctions between jealousy as a natural reaction and envy as a harmful force. Reflect on how societal norms around instant gratification have shaped our desires for consumption. Lastly, find insight on aligning one's desires with the Spirit to attain true fulfillment.

Nov 20, 2024 • 22min
Day 325: Battling for Purity (2024)
Explore the ongoing battle for purity in today's world and how divine grace can lead to freedom from temptation. Discover the significance of purity of heart and modesty in safeguarding dignity and relationships. Dive into St. Augustine's struggles to grasp the challenges of chastity, while emphasizing the importance of both internal discipline and external influences. Finally, shift your perspective on purity and modesty to foster respect and love, enhancing interpersonal connections.

Nov 19, 2024 • 18min
Day 324: The Ninth Commandment (2024)
The discussion kicks off with the ninth commandment, revealing the dangers of covetousness. Fr. Mike dives into the conflict between flesh and spirit, emphasizing the need for purity of heart. He highlights how obedience to God reshapes our vision of others, aligning it with divine perspectives. The exploration of desires and their roots uncovers the links between brokenness and different forms of lust. With personal stories, Fr. Mike illustrates the journey towards temperance and the power of faith.

Nov 18, 2024 • 16min
Day 323: Truth, Beauty, and Sacred Art (2024)
Explore the captivating connection between truth, beauty, and sacred art. Discover how beautiful art reflects the essence of God and inspires faith. Delve into the role of music and visual arts in conveying deep spiritual truths. Learn about the responsibility of church leaders to curate art that elevates worship. Throughout this journey, find encouragement to live in truth and bear witness to Christ through all expressions of creativity.

Nov 17, 2024 • 16min
Day 322: Respect for Truth (2024)
Charity dictates who we reveal the truth to. We learn today that the “right to the communication of truth is not unconditional.” Fr. Mike explains that this means we ought to examine what facts we reveal to others prudently. Fr. Mike highlights the role of mass media in disseminating the truth and the importance of guarding ourselves against gossip. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2488-2499.
This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB.
For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy
Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Nov 16, 2024 • 29min
Day 321: Offenses Against Truth (2024)
What does it mean to live out the truth? This theme carries over as we continue our evaluation of the eighth commandment. We learn the Catechism’s teachings on ways we violate truth, degrees of gravity based on circumstances, and the duty of reparation. Fr. Mike discusses each offense and offers resonating examples to reflect on. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2475-2487.
This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB.
For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy
Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Nov 15, 2024 • 22min
Day 320: The Truth (2024)
We begin our dive into the eighth commandment: “You shall not bear false witness.” The Catechism defines truth, identifies the importance of truth, and reflects on martyrdom. Fr. Mike unpacks all of this information and reminds us that our duty as Christians is to live in the truth and bear witness to the truth in what we say and how we act. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2464-2474.
This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB.
For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy
Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Nov 14, 2024 • 15min
Day 319: Summary of the Seventh Commandment (2024)
We have reached the In Brief section, or nugget day, on the seventh commandment. Father Mike reiterates that the right to private property comes from our dignity as humans, and the Church has a duty to weigh in on economic or social matters where that dignity is threatened. He challenges us to ask ourselves, do we see Jesus in “the distressing disguise of the poor” and just walk by him, or do we respond to him? Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2450-2463.
This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB.
For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy
Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.