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
Sep 21, 2024 • 13min
Day 265: The Call to Holiness (2024)
Everyone is called to the heights of holiness, regardless of their life circumstances. Holiness requires spiritual growth, prayer, and the practice of love for God and others. Embracing the Cross and self-denial are essential for lasting peace. The journey emphasizes perseverance and the comforting notion that it's always possible to begin again, no matter how many times we stumble. Biblical teachings encourage every Christian to strive for a rich spiritual life filled with charity.
Sep 20, 2024 • 15min
Day 264: Man’s Merit (2024)
Discover how our good actions are a collaborative effort with divine grace, emphasizing that merit is a gift from God. Fr. Mike shares insights from St. Thérèse of Lisieux, highlighting the beauty of approaching God with empty hands. The discussion connects human merit to our baptism and status as co-heirs with Christ, illustrating our reliance on God's goodness. Through rich metaphors, the importance of grace in achieving true worthiness is beautifully outlined.
Sep 19, 2024 • 18min
Day 263: Responding to Grace (2024)
Discover the significance of grace in Catholic theology, exploring the interplay between grace and free will. Learn about sacramental graces and how they differ across the Body of Christ. Explore how individuals respond to God's grace and contribute to the growth of the Church.
Sep 18, 2024 • 20min
Day 262: Habitual and Actual Grace (2024)
Discover the profound impact of grace in our spiritual lives. Learn how habitual and actual grace play unique roles in our journey towards eternal life. Fr. Mike emphasizes that without God's help, we can achieve nothing. Dive into the transformative power of grace as a reflection of God's love, and explore insights from St. Augustine. This enlightening discussion underlines grace as a free gift essential for personal growth and justification.
Sep 17, 2024 • 19min
Day 261: Justification (2024)
What does it truly mean to be justified? Discover how the Holy Spirit's grace can purify hearts and detach us from sin. Explore the transformative power of justification as it leads to a profound inward change, all while bearing witness to God's mercy. The discussion emphasizes the balance of divine grace and human freedom, driving home that faith, hope, and charity are essential in reconciling with God. Finally, learn how living out one's beliefs fosters community and gratitude for the gift of salvation.
Sep 16, 2024 • 11min
Day 260: Summary of the Moral Law (2024)
Fr. Mike dives into the essence of moral law, emphasizing its divine roots inscribed in every heart. He shares how moral law serves as a loving guide from God, intent on fostering joy and freedom. The discussion highlights the transformative power of the New Law, surpassing past teachings by prioritizing love and conscience. Listeners learn how divine commandments lead toward flourishing lives, blending scripture and natural law into practical wisdom for everyday moral conduct.
Sep 15, 2024 • 19min
Day 259: The New Commandment (2024)
The discussion dives into Jesus' New Commandment, emphasizing the law of love and how it transforms our lives. Fr. Mike highlights the importance of divine grace for truly loving others as Christ does. The podcast also explores the role of the Holy Spirit in fostering authentic charity and obedience through love. Insights drawn from Apostle Paul's letters shed light on living a moral Christian life, while the evangelical councils promote pathways to holiness through practices like prayer and fasting.
Sep 14, 2024 • 16min
Day 258: The New Law (2024)
Fr. Mike Schmitz dives into the New Law, illustrating how it fulfills and perfects the Old Law. He highlights the transformative nature of the Law of the Gospel, emphasizing its expression in the Sermon on the Mount. Through the grace of the Holy Spirit, believers are encouraged to live out these commandments with love and charity. Fr. Mike's insights on how this New Law shapes a deeper, heart-centered faith experience are both enlightening and inspiring.
Sep 13, 2024 • 13min
Day 257: The Old Law (2024)
Discover the significance of the Old Law as the first stage of Revealed Law and its role in preparing believers for the Gospel. Explore how the Ten Commandments shape moral teachings and guide relationships. Delve into the transition from Old Law to New Covenant, emphasizing the limitations of the former and the grace found in Christ. Finally, learn the importance of preparing one’s heart to embrace God's commandments, seeking the Holy Spirit for strength in this spiritual journey.
Sep 12, 2024 • 26min
Day 256: The Natural Moral Law (2024)
Together, we begin the section on moral law, starting with natural moral law. Fr. Mike begins by emphasizing that we need both the law that guides us and God’s grace that sustains us in order to live out our call to beatitude. He also unpacks how natural moral law is written in the soul of each and every man to help him discern between good and evil. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1949-1960.
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.
