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
6 snips
Aug 25, 2023 • 23min
Day 237: The Morality of the Passions
This episode explores the morality of passions, emphasizing the importance of recognizing good and evil in making moral decisions. It discusses the nature of passions and how they can be morally qualified based on their engagement with reason and will. It also explores the concept of love and the role of the Holy Spirit in uniting our intellect, will, and emotions in the Christian life. Additionally, it emphasizes surrendering all passions to God and reorienting our desires towards the good for moral growth.
9 snips
Aug 24, 2023 • 18min
Day 236: The Morality of Human Acts
Fr. Mike Schmitz discusses the morality of human acts, focusing on the three sources of morality: the object chosen, the end in view or intention, and the circumstances. He emphasizes the importance of understanding right or wrong and good or evil. The podcast explores a nationwide study on moral decision-making abilities in American adolescents and young adults. It also highlights the concept that good intentions cannot justify bad actions.
Aug 23, 2023 • 17min
Day 235: Human Freedom in Salvation
Exploring human freedom in the context of salvation, Fr. Mike discusses the power to choose the right and the violation of our own freedom when we break the moral law. The podcast emphasizes the connection between human freedom and sin, the importance of recognizing our failures, and staying within moral boundaries. It also highlights Jesus' role in salvation and the empowerment of grace in aligning with human free will.
8 snips
Aug 22, 2023 • 16min
Day 234: Freedom and Responsibility
This podcast explores the concept of freedom and responsibility, emphasizing the power of choosing the good. It discusses the importance of knowledge and free will in assessing one's actions and consequences.
Aug 21, 2023 • 20min
Day 233: The Beatitudes
Explore the role of human dignity in Catholic morality and the significance of the Beatitudes. Discover true happiness in God alone and how the Beatitudes fulfill His promises. Follow St. Augustine's search for faith and the purpose of humans. Learn about the importance of moral choices and pursue God's love and happiness. Reflect on society's measurement of happiness and success and prioritize God above all else.
4 snips
Aug 20, 2023 • 20min
Day 232: Man Is Made in the Image of God
This podcast explores the dignity of the human person and our creation in the image of God. It highlights the importance of exercising virtue and charity to preserve our dignity, and the consequences of sin and evil acts. The episode focuses on the unique significance of humans, created for their own sake. It also delves into how Jesus reveals our identity and potential, and how His grace can restore our divine image. The speaker emphasizes the value of humans in God's creation, emphasizing that they should be loved, not used. Additionally, the podcast explores the transformative power of faith in Christ and the possibility of attaining holiness through following His example.
Aug 19, 2023 • 19min
Day 231: Our Calling
The podcast discusses the high calling of being sons and daughters of God, the challenges of accepting Christian morality, the role of the Holy Spirit in obedience to God, and the importance of understanding grace, mercy, and growth in the Christian life.
22 snips
Aug 18, 2023 • 59min
Day 230: How We Live (Part 3 Introduction with Dr. Mary Healy)
Fr. Mike Schmitz and Dr. Mary Healy discuss moral theology, challenges of living as disciples, recognizing the voice of Jesus, misconceptions about holiness, contrasting views of human person, Catholic Church's view on social justice, significance of individual dignity, and living with the heart of God and Christ.
Aug 17, 2023 • 21min
Day 229: Christian Funerals
Exploring the significance of Christian funerals as a participation in God's work and a reflection of the Christian understanding of death in light of Christ's resurrection. The Christian funeral as a liturgical celebration of the church, emphasizing the importance of careful preparation and the central role of the Eucharist. The importance of the sign of the cross during baptism and its transformation from a symbol of death to a symbol of hope. The purpose and significance of the Catholic funeral Mass in offering the sacrifice of the Eucharist. Exploring the symbolism of mourning attire and the importance of burying the dead as an act of charity.
9 snips
Aug 16, 2023 • 23min
Day 228: Blessings, Sacramentals, and Popular Piety
Explore the significance of sacramentals and popular piety in the Catholic faith. Learn about blessings of people, places, and objects, including the intriguing backstory behind the song 'Africa' by Toto. Discover the importance of exorcism and the harmonization of popular piety with the liturgical life of the Church. Understand the superiority of the liturgy in comparison to other expressions of popular piety.
