

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

14 snips
Jan 15, 2025 • 17min
Day 15: Interpreting Scripture (2025)
Discover how Catholics interpret Scripture with three fundamental principles: attentiveness to the entire Bible, reading within Church tradition, and the analogy of Faith. Delve into the Holy Spirit's role in inspiring and guiding these interpretations. Explore the dual authorship of Scripture and how context influences understanding. Learn the significance of connecting Old and New Testaments to uphold core Christian truths. This engaging discussion fosters a deeper relationship with faith and scriptural insight.

13 snips
Jan 14, 2025 • 17min
Day 14: The Eternal Word of God (2025)
Explore the sacredness of Scripture and the Church's deep reverence for it. Understand how God communicates through human authors, revealing eternal truths. Delve into the dual authorship of the Bible and appreciate the balance of divine inspiration and human creativity. Discover the importance of engaging with Scripture as the living Word of God, not just any written text, and learn to interpret it as a profound, enriching experience. This journey speaks to the transformative power of faith and the intimacy of divine revelation.

11 snips
Jan 13, 2025 • 16min
Day 13: The Single Deposit of Faith (2025)
Fr. Mike delves into the essential relationship between Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture as the unified deposit of Faith. He clarifies the authoritative role of the Magisterium in interpreting divine teachings. The discussion also highlights how the Church's practices reflect its identity, emphasizing the continuity of revelation through generations. With a creative analogy, listeners explore the dynamics of written and unwritten faith, illustrating the importance of tradition in guiding spiritual journeys.

10 snips
Jan 12, 2025 • 16min
Day 12: Receiving Dogmas (2025)
Explore how the dogmas of faith serve as guiding lights on our spiritual journey. Fr. Mike illustrates the dual role of these truths as both boundaries and pathways, enhancing our relationship with God. Discover the interconnectedness of sacred tradition, scripture, and community in fostering a deeper understanding of salvation. Learn to embrace dogmas not as rules, but as gifts driven by love, empowering us to fully live out our faith.

9 snips
Jan 11, 2025 • 19min
Day 11: Sources of Divine Revelation (2025)
Fr. Mike dives into the fascinating synergy between Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition, showcasing their equal significance in divine revelation. He clarifies the essential differences between Apostolic Tradition and other ecclesial practices. The discussion emphasizes the importance of the Magisterium's authority and the need for believers to embrace its teachings with openness. Overall, it presents a compelling case for understanding the roots of faith beyond just the written word.

Jan 10, 2025 • 17min
Day 10: The Apostolic Tradition (2025)
Discover how divine revelation is passed through oral and written traditions. Learn about the pivotal role of the apostles and their successors in preserving teachings. The discussion emphasizes that sharing the faith is not just for bishops; it's a collective calling. Explore the Holy Spirit's active presence in today's Church and the interplay between Scripture and tradition. This insightful conversation sheds light on the historical importance of apostolic succession and the contributions of early church fathers in maintaining the teachings of Christ.

11 snips
Jan 9, 2025 • 18min
Day 9: The Fullness of Revelation (2025)
Discover how God’s love unfolds through the revelation of His Son, Jesus Christ, establishing an eternal covenant. Learn about the profound significance of Christ as the ultimate Word and the limits of private revelations that cannot alter the faith. Explore the ongoing journey of understanding divine truths and the essential nature of the Trinity as revealed at Christ's baptism. Delve into the role of church history in shaping our comprehension of God's communication with humanity and how personal insights can enhance, but not redefine, our beliefs.

12 snips
Jan 8, 2025 • 17min
Day 8: God Forms His People (2025)
Explore how God chose Abraham as the 'father of a multitude of nations' and the formation of Israel from slavery in Egypt. Discover the gradual revelation of God's plan through pivotal prophets and the transformative power of covenants. Reflect on personal experiences of divine interaction while learning about the strength of holy women in scripture. This journey invites listeners to embrace hope for salvation and encourages an openness to further divine insights.

17 snips
Jan 7, 2025 • 17min
Day 7: God Reveals Himself (2025)
The discussion highlights God's gradual revelation of Himself to humanity, emphasizing His loving plan despite our imperfections. The significance of the covenant with Noah as a symbol of hope and redemption is explored. Listeners learn how divine revelation enriches our understanding of faith and the world around us. The episode underscores the importance of relationship with God for true comprehension, culminating in the anticipation of Christ's promise to unify believers across nations.

18 snips
Jan 6, 2025 • 19min
Day 6: Knowing God With Certainty (2025)
Listeners explore the inherent human desire for God, underscoring that true fulfillment comes from communion with the Creator. The discussion highlights the synergy between faith and science, asserting that both can coexist without contradiction. Insightful reflections on the challenges of understanding God through language reveal the limitations and capabilities of human expression. Additionally, the podcast examines the nature of truth, contrasting objective and subjective views to illustrate the importance of recognizing an intentional creator in our understanding of reality.


