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 1, 2024 • 19min
Day 245: Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit (2024)
As we end our exploration of the virtues, we learn about the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These gifts perfect our virtues and increase our ability to respond to God’s guidance and inspiration. The fruits of the Holy Spirit perfect us, are signs of a life lived in the Spirit, and are “the first fruits of eternal glory,” as the Catechism tells us. Our cooperation with the Holy Spirit sustains and perfects our moral life, enabling us to live a more full and joyful life. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1830-1845.
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.
Aug 31, 2024 • 22min
Day 244: The Virtue of Charity (2024)
Charity is the greatest theological virtue, embodying love for God and our neighbors. Fr. Mike discusses loving our enemies and obeying God’s commandments, highlighting that true charity is not motivated by fear or reward but by love. The powerful contrast between servitude and sonship is explored, showing how understanding the Father’s love transforms our relationships. Through engaging stories and reflections, the podcast emphasizes actionable love and the freedom it brings in Christian life.
Aug 30, 2024 • 14min
Day 243: The Virtue of Hope (2024)
Explore the transformative power of the virtue of hope and its vital role in the Christian faith. Learn how this theological virtue acts as an anchor, encouraging trust in Christ’s promises. It shields us from discouragement and selfishness, allowing us to love others more freely. Through prayer and scripture, hope nurtures resilience during tough times, guiding us toward eternal happiness. Discover the difference between authentic hope and mere optimism, focusing on the pursuit of divine promises.
Aug 29, 2024 • 18min
Day 242: The Virtue of Faith (2024)
Explore the essential theological virtues anchoring Christian life: faith, hope, and love. Dive into the profound nature of faith, emphasizing trust in God over mere belief. Discover the significance of living out faith through actions, inspired by the story of Job. Learn the importance of sharing your faith in everyday interactions, fostering connections with others through simple but impactful gestures. This insightful discussion highlights how understanding God's character shapes true belief and moral living.
Aug 28, 2024 • 22min
Day 241: The Cardinal Virtues (2024)
Explore the four cardinal virtues: prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. Discover how these traits lead to a morally good life filled with ease, self-mastery, and joy. Learn the importance of embodying Jesus's love in everyday interactions. The discussion emphasizes the role of education and divine grace in nurturing these virtues, guiding us toward personal growth and moral integrity. Join the journey towards a deeper connection with faith and virtuous living!
Aug 27, 2024 • 13min
Day 240: Erroneous Judgment of Conscience (2024)
Explore the complexities of moral conscience and why it can lead to erroneous judgments. Fr. Mike discusses how habitual sin can cloud our moral vision. He emphasizes the importance of forming a well-informed conscience, which empowers us to make better choices. Tune in for insights on moral development and the significance of understanding right from wrong.
Aug 26, 2024 • 22min
Day 239: The Formation of Conscience (2024)
Fr. Mike, an expert on conscience formation, discusses the significance of cultivating a well-formed conscience and intellect. He emphasizes that understanding why something is right or wrong is crucial to moral decision-making. The conversation explores the lifelong journey of conscience formation, highlighting the importance of personal reflection and divine guidance. Fr. Mike also underlines how education and the influence of the Holy Spirit play a pivotal role in discerning moral choices, supporting the idea that conscience should guide us toward inner peace.
Aug 25, 2024 • 19min
Day 238: Our Moral Conscience (2024)
Fr. Mike, a trusted guide in moral theology, discusses the nature of our moral conscience and its vital role in discerning right from wrong. He highlights the distinction between conscience and our passions, explaining how the former serves as an internal compass despite the challenges posed by sin. The conversation sheds light on the importance of a well-formed conscience, urging listeners to seek divine guidance through prayer. Fr. Mike's insights deepen our understanding of moral decision-making and the inner voice that leads us toward goodness.
Aug 24, 2024 • 23min
Day 237: The Morality of the Passions (2024)
Exploring the morality of passions, the discussion reveals that passions themselves are neutral but can lead to virtue or vice based on our choices. Delving into human psychology, the importance of harmonizing emotions with reason is emphasized. Love is highlighted as a key passion driving moral actions, while the pitfalls of acting solely on emotions are critiqued. The transformative power of aligning passions with Christian teachings is stressed, advocating for a deeper understanding of morality through intellect and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Aug 23, 2024 • 18min
Day 236: The Morality of Human Acts (2024)
Fr. Mike delves into the intricacies of morality, examining the three sources: the object, intention, and circumstances of human acts. He highlights how a good intention cannot justify an intrinsically evil action. Listeners learn the vital importance of making ethical judgments by considering these elements holistically. The discussion also touches on the moral dilemmas faced by young adults today, urging a deeper understanding of right and wrong in their decision-making processes.
