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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.

Day 365: So Be It (2024)

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

  • 360 views
  • 6 months ago
  • 16:10

Congratulations, you have reached Day 365! We conclude our journey through the Catechism with the final “nugget day” as we review the seven petitions of the Lord’s prayer. In closing, Fr. Mike reminds us of the purpose of our time with the Catechism: recognizing that every part of our human experience matters to God simply because he loves us. It matters to God that we know him, worship him, live in his love, and draw near to him in prayer. We respond to God’s astounding love for each of us with our final “Amen- so be it.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2857-2865. 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.

BONUS: Why Scripture and Tradition? (with Jeff Cavins)

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

  • 300 views
  • 6 months ago
  • 37:00

In this bonus episode of The Catechism in a Year, Jeff Cavins joins Fr. Mike to share the connection between Scripture and Tradition, and provide the background on the origin, development, and structure of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. 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.

Day 360: Hallowing God’s Name (2024)

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

  • 320 views
  • 6 months ago
  • 18:12

What does it mean to hallow God’s name? We are not the source or cause of God’s holiness. As the Catechism says, we hallow God’s name so it may be glorified, loved, and known. Jesus instructs us in the Our Father to petition and desire that we be drawn into God’s plan of loving kindness. In time, God’s name is hallowed in how we live and how we pray. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2807-2815. 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.

Day 357: God, “Our” Father (2024)

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

  • 360 views
  • 6 months ago
  • 13:28

God’s love has no bounds, and neither should our prayer. Fr. Mike emphasizes that when we say “our” we are highlighting that we have become God’s people. We belong to God, not in a possessive way, but in an “entirely new relationship”. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2786-2793. 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.

Day 356: We Dare to Say (2024)

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

  • 330 views
  • 6 months ago
  • 21:39

When we pray the Our Father, we are invited to pray with “filial boldness” as children of God. Fr. Mike emphasizes that we are God’s adopted sons and daughters, and so because of that, we are able to call him “Abba, Father.” He also emphasizes that because of this adoption we are called to “continual conversion and new life.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2777-2785. 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.

Day 352: Summary of The Battle of Prayer (2024)

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

  • 320 views
  • 6 months ago
  • 14:22

Fr. Mike reviews this section of the Catechism, summarizing the battle of prayer and the prayer of the hour of Jesus. We are reminded that prayer is active, and we must engage in grace. The Catechism goes on to state that, “We pray as we live because we live as we pray.” In this, we see that God meets us where we are and wants us to pray always. Finally, Jesus’ prayer to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane exemplifies humility, filial trust, honesty, and perseverance; modeling how we are to pray to the Father. Today’s readings are paragraphs 2752-2758. 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.

Day 351: The Prayer of the Hour of Jesus (2024)

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

  • 330 views
  • 6 months ago
  • 15:20

Looking at the prayer of the Hour of Jesus, we learn from the Catechism that it “embraces the whole economy of creation and salvation, as well as his death and Resurrection.” This prayer summarizes everything: “God and the world; the Word and the flesh; eternal life and time; the love that hands itself over and the sin that betrays it; the disciples present and those who will believe in him by their word; humiliation and glory. It is the prayer of unity.” Fr. Mike reiterates that this prayer from the Son to the Father allows us to pray as sons and daughters of Christ and give glory to the Father. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2746-2751. 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.

Day 6: Knowing God With Certainty (2024)

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

  • 1.2K views
  • over 1 year ago
  • 19:26

Today’s reading is a summation of what we have learned so far. Man is made for God, and we are born with a capacity for knowing God. Using our senses, listening to our consciences, and employing our gift of reason, we can know with certainty that God exists. Fr. Mike explains how we live freely only in communion with our Creator, even if we are limited in our capacity of comprehension. Knowing this compels us to share our faith in God with those who do not yet believe. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 44-49. Unlock the full experience of The Catechism in a Year (with Father Mike Schmitz) with the Ascension App! (https://ascensionpress.com/pages/ascension-app?_branch_match_id=1248288113491054729&utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=marketing&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXz8nMy9ZLLE5OzSvOzM%2FTTSwo0EvOz9X3CKtwCktMDfB1SQIAklUiuCoAAAA%3D) Get access to an interactive reading plan, the complete text of the Catechism, episode transcripts, summaries, and more. 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.

Day 5: How We Know God (2024)

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

  • 1.3K views
  • over 1 year ago
  • 13:36

What can we know about God? The Catechism tells us three important things: 1) We can know God with our human reason, but 2) that knowledge will always be limited, and 3) we rely on God to reveal himself to us. Fr. Mike warns us that learning who God is requires self-surrender and abnegation, for the human heart struggles to recognize the infinite gap between Creator and created. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 36-43. Unlock the full experience of The Catechism in a Year (with Father Mike Schmitz) with the Ascension App! (https://ascensionpress.com/pages/ascension-app?_branch_match_id=1248288113491054729&utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=marketing&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXz8nMy9ZLLE5OzSvOzM%2FTTSwo0EvOz9X3CKtwCktMDfB1SQIAklUiuCoAAAA%3D) Get access to an interactive reading plan, the complete text of the Catechism, episode transcripts, summaries, and more. 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.

Day 2: How the Catechism Works (2024)

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

  • 1.4K views
  • over 1 year ago
  • 15:36

The Catechism reveals to us its intended readership, structure, and some practical directions for use. Fr. Mike and the Roman Catechism remind us that—above all—”the works of perfect Christian virtue spring from love and have no other objective than to arrive at love.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 11-25. Unlock the full experience of The Catechism in a Year (with Father Mike Schmitz) with the Ascension App! (https://ascensionpress.com/pages/ascension-app?_branch_match_id=1248288113491054729&utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=marketing&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXz8nMy9ZLLE5OzSvOzM%2FTTSwo0EvOz9X3CKtwCktMDfB1SQIAklUiuCoAAAA%3D)Get access to an interactive reading plan, the complete text of the Catechism, episode transcripts, summaries, and more. 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.

Day 1: To Know and Love God (2024)

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

  • 1.6K views
  • over 1 year ago
  • 17:14

Welcome to Day 1 of The Catechism in a Year! Today, we begin our journey with Fr. Mike through the Catechism from the very beginning: the Prologue. The Catechism tackles some big questions right out of the gate. Why did God make us? How can we know him? How do we help others understand him as well? Fr. Mike invites us to discover God’s plan for us and accept the challenge he has placed before us. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1-10. Unlock the full experience of The Catechism in a Year (with Father Mike Schmitz) with the Ascension App! (https://ascensionpress.com/pages/ascension-app?_branch_match_id=1248288113491054729&utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=marketing&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXz8nMy9ZLLE5OzSvOzM%2FTTSwo0EvOz9X3CKtwCktMDfB1SQIAklUiuCoAAAA%3D) Get access to an interactive reading plan, the complete text of the Catechism, episode transcripts, summaries, and more. 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.

Day 353: The Lord’s Prayer “Our Father”

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

  • 1.5K views
  • over 1 year ago
  • 16:18

Diving into the Lord’s Prayer, we look at the origin, meaning, and significance of this prayer. The Catechism reveals the Our Father as “the summary of the whole Gospel” as it includes all that we believe. Fr. Mike helps us understand that this prayer focuses our hearts on the Father and prioritizes our desires. As we begin this prayer in the Father’s name, we know who we are addressing, and we know we can trust the Lord as our Father. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2759-2764. 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.