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.
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This episode delves into the various guides the Church offers for cultivating a vibrant prayer life, including the communion of saints, different spiritualities, and human mentors like family, clergy, and spiritual directors. Fr. Mike emphasizes the family's foundational role in teaching prayer and discusses the qualities of effective spiritual guidance. Ultimately, the episode highlights the Holy Spirit as the faithful's primary director and calls listeners to lifelong learning in the school of prayer.
This episode delves into the Catholic understanding of praying through Mary, explaining how the Holy Spirit unites believers with the Mother of Jesus. It provides a detailed, phrase-by-phrase analysis of the Hail Mary prayer, highlighting its scriptural roots and theological significance. Furthermore, it discusses various traditional Marian devotions, ultimately concluding that loving Mary strengthens, rather than diminishes, our trust in Jesus by uniting our prayers with her perfect "Fiat."
Father Mike explains the Church's living tradition of Trinitarian prayer, detailing how Christian prayer accesses the Father through Christ, the significance of invoking Jesus's name for His real presence, and the essential role of the Holy Spirit in guiding our prayers. He also discusses discerning authentic Christian prayer, distinguishing it from practices that do not center on Christ, and offers further insights into the 'only occupation' of loving God through prayer.
This episode delves into Catechism paragraphs 2656-2662, revealing faith, hope, and love as critical sources for prayer. Fr. Mike explains how we enter prayer through faith, pray in hope for Christ's return, and love as God first loved us. The discussion also emphasizes the importance of praying in the "today" moment, finding God in the present rather than dwelling on the past or future.
This episode delves into the Catechism's teachings on prayer, highlighting that it requires intention and learning, not just spontaneous impulse. Father Mike explains two crucial wellsprings of prayer: engaging with God's Word through frequent reading and dialogue, and participating in the Church's Liturgy, which proclaims and communicates salvation, continuing its mission in a praying heart.
Father Mike defines the prayer of praise as recognizing God for His very being, contrasting it with thanksgiving for His actions. He explains how the Holy Spirit joins our spirits in this prayer, which embraces all other forms and is exemplified in Scripture and heavenly liturgy. The episode emphasizes the Eucharist as the ultimate sacrifice of praise, connecting it to ancient offerings, and encourages listeners to strengthen their faith by praising God daily, even in times of trial, in communion with the saints.
Father Mike Schmitz delves into the profound forms of prayer: intercession and thanksgiving. He explains how intercession allows us to participate in Christ's unique mediation, highlighting Abraham's example and addressing common questions about praying to saints within the communion of saints. The episode also emphasizes thanksgiving as characterizing the Church's prayer, particularly in the Eucharist, and challenges listeners to find gratitude in all circumstances, even profound suffering and loss, as a reflection of love.
Father Mike Schmitz delves into the forms of prayer specific to the Church's era, examining blessing as a response to God's gifts, and adoration as acknowledging His divine creatorship. He then explores petition, highlighting its spontaneous nature and the shift from Old Testament lamentation to New Testament hope, with forgiveness and seeking the Kingdom as primary intentions. The episode concludes by encouraging believers to bring all needs, great and small, to God, as doing so glorifies Him and demonstrates trust in His saving love.
This episode concludes the discussion on Jesus' prayer, teaching how he hears our faith-filled petitions and introducing the profound "Jesus Prayer." Father Mike also examines the Virgin Mary's Fiat and Magnificat as exemplary models of humble and intercessory prayer. The episode ultimately calls listeners to actively engage in prayer, emphasizing its importance over mere discussion.
This episode delves into Jesus' teachings on prayer, highlighting that his own prayer life serves as our template. Father Mike emphasizes the importance of an internal conversion of heart, leading to reconciliation, loving enemies, and secret prayer. The discussion also covers filial adherence to God, the power of faith, watchfulness, and the significance of persistent and humble prayer as exemplified in the parables. Ultimately, it stresses the certitude of our prayers being heard when offered in Jesus' name, rooted in God's boundless love.
Father Mike Schmitz delves into paragraphs 2598-2606 of the Catechism, focusing on how Jesus prayed throughout his human life and ministry. It highlights Jesus' filial prayer to the Father, his practice of solitude, and his prayers of thanksgiving and adherence, even in his agony. The episode culminates in a profound reflection on Jesus' "loud cry" on the cross, revealing it as the summation of all humanity's troubles, which the Father accepts and answers by raising his Son. This provides a model for our own trust and prayer as adopted sons and daughters.
Father Mike delves into the profound significance of the Psalms, highlighting their role as essential prayers that both nourish and express our faith. He shares a personal anecdote about how the Psalms, initially external readings, transformed into his genuine heartfelt prayer, capturing the depths of his emotions. The discussion also covers the diverse forms of prayer found in the Psalms and their constant characteristics of simplicity, spontaneity, and unwavering trust in God's faithfulness, even amidst life's challenges.
Father Mike Schmitz discusses Catechism paragraphs 2581-2589, focusing on how the Temple and prophets like Elijah educated people in prayer. He highlights the danger of mere ritualism and the call for a conversion of heart, explaining how belief can follow behavior in prayer. The episode also delves into the Psalms as the Church's prayer, emphasizing their role in guiding our one-on-one encounters with God, encouraging honesty and perseverance.
This episode explores the foundations of prayer through the biblical figures of Moses and David, as outlined in the Catechism. It highlights God's initiative in calling Moses, Moses' honest questioning, and his growth into an intercessor. The discussion emphasizes humility as honesty, the importance of engaging with God in a personal relationship, and David's Psalms as a model of trust and faith even amidst suffering, ultimately foreshadowing Jesus' own prayer.
This episode explores prayer as a mysterious encounter initiated by God, who tirelessly calls each person to relationship. It delves into the universal search for God and how prayer is revealed through Old Testament figures like Abraham, whose faith is purified through deeds, complaints, and intercession. The discussion concludes by highlighting Jacob's wrestling as a symbol of prayer as a battle of faith and triumph of perseverance.
Father Mike introduces the final pillar of the Catechism on Christian prayer, beginning with St. Thérèse's definition of prayer as a "surge of the heart." He discusses prayer as God's gift, emphasizing humility and God's initiative in seeking us first. The episode delves into the "heart" as the true dwelling place of prayer, a hidden center where we make decisions for life or death, and where our personal covenant relationship with God is formed through Christ.
Father Mike and Sister Miriam James Heidland dive into the Catechism's fourth pillar, exploring prayer as an intimate relationship rooted in God's initiative rather than a mere obligation. They address common struggles such as shame, perceived lack of time, and dryness, offering insights on how to overcome these through vulnerability and trust. The discussion emphasizes Jesus as the ultimate model of prayer, highlighting that even in difficulties, prayer fosters deeper union and allows us to truly experience God's unstoppable, transformative love.
Father Mike Schmitz explores paragraphs 2544-2557 of the Catechism, focusing on the importance of "poverty of heart" and detachment from riches as obligatory for entering the Kingdom of Heaven. He uses the analogy of the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea to illustrate how receiving God's blessings should lead us to become vessels through which grace flows to others, rather than hoarding for ourselves. The episode concludes by emphasizing the ongoing struggle to mortify cravings and the ultimate desire to see God's face as our greatest reward.
Father Mike delves into the Tenth Commandment, "You shall not covet," explaining how it completes the Ninth and summarizes the entire law by addressing intentions of the heart. He discusses how natural desires can become disordered greed and avarice, challenging listeners to recognize when "enough is enough." The episode also draws a clear distinction between appropriate forms of jealousy, like God's jealousy for His people or marital fidelity, and envy, which is condemned as a "diabolical sin" rooted in pride and leading to hatred, calling for humility and goodwill to conquer it.
Father Mike Schmitz discusses the challenging battle for purity, particularly in the 21st century's hyper-sexualized and accessible media landscape. He emphasizes that through God's grace, chastity, purity of intention and vision, and prayer, believers can achieve freedom. The episode also delves into modesty, not as prudishness, but as a virtue that protects the dignity of individuals and enables us to see others as God sees them, rather than as mere objects.
In this episode, Father Mike delves into the Ninth Commandment, which forbids carnal concupiscence and highlights the internal struggle between flesh and spirit. He explains how all forms of covetousness stem from a broken heart and emphasizes that purifying the heart through temperance, faith, and obedience to God enables us to overcome lust, live well, and perceive others as temples of the Holy Spirit, reflecting divine beauty.
Day 323 concludes the Eighth Commandment, revealing how beauty, particularly in sacred art, points to the transcendent truth of God beyond mere words. Fr. Mike emphasizes art's role in glorifying the Creator and the Church's responsibility, through bishops, to promote authentic sacred art while removing what doesn't align with faith. The episode culminates in a call for believers to consistently walk in the light of truth and bear witness to Christ.
This episode delves into paragraphs 2488-2499 of the Catechism, focusing on the respect for truth and its communication. Fr. Mike explains that revealing truth is not unconditional, governed by charity, respect for privacy, and the common good, including the inviolable seal of confession and professional secrets. The discussion also covers the significant role of social media in disseminating information, stressing the need for honesty, user discernment against passivity and gossip, and the responsibilities of journalists and civil authorities to safeguard truth from manipulation, particularly by totalitarian regimes.
Father Mike Schmitz delves into offenses against truth, moving beyond just lying to cover rash judgment, detraction, calumny, flattery, and malicious irony. He explores the gravity of these actions, the importance of protecting reputation, and the complexities of truth-telling. The episode discusses the moral duty of reparation and the challenge of discerning when honesty might cause more harm, including ethical dilemmas like lying to save lives.
Father Mike delves into the Eighth Commandment, "You shall not bear false witness," explaining that God is the source of all truth and Jesus is its full manifestation. He defines objective truth as "what is" and discusses the moral obligation to seek, adhere to, and direct our lives by it. The episode emphasizes that Christians are called to bear witness to this truth in all aspects of life, concluding with a reflection on martyrdom as the ultimate form of witness.
Day 319 of Catechism in a Year explores the "in brief" section of the Seventh Commandment. Father Mike highlights the right to private property balanced with the universal destination of goods, the inherent dignity of human beings, and the Church's role in advocating for social justice. The episode delves into the redemptive value of all labor, exemplified by Jesus as a "tekton," and challenges listeners to recognize and serve Christ in the poor, reflecting on the parable of Lazarus.
Father Mike Schmitz discusses the Catholic Church's deep-rooted tradition of charity for the poor, rooted in scripture and the teachings of saints like John Chrysostom. He highlights that serving the poor is a matter of justice, paying a debt rather than simply performing an act of mercy, and recounts the inspiring story of St. Lawrence. The episode challenges listeners to recognize Christ's presence in the needy and prioritize their care above material adornment.
Father Mike delves into Catechism paragraphs 2437-2442, discussing the stark inequality and resource gap between nations. He emphasizes that while direct aid is necessary for immediate needs, true justice requires dismantling "perverse mechanisms" and reforming international economic institutions to foster equitable relationships. The episode also clarifies the crucial vocation of the lay faithful in applying Christian principles to social and political life, distinct from the direct intervention of church pastors, urging all to cultivate a heart of solidarity and love for the poor.
This episode delves into the Catechism's social doctrine regarding economic activity and human labor, highlighting that work is a fundamental aspect of human dignity and a means of sanctification. Fr. Mike unpacks the principles of just wages, the responsibilities of business owners, and the state's role in fostering an economy that serves persons and the common good. The discussion emphasizes that true work empowers individuals and contributes to the entire human community, transcending mere profit or drudgery.
This episode delves into the Church's social doctrine, focusing on paragraphs 2415-2425. Fr. Mike emphasizes responsible stewardship of creation and animals, advocating for kindness while outlining their proper use, avoiding needless suffering, and prioritizing human needs. He then examines the Church's stance on economic systems, critiquing profit-driven models, totalitarian ideologies like communism and socialism, and unregulated capitalism, highlighting the need for just regulation and a hierarchy of values for the common good.
