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 explores the profound relationship between the Holy Spirit and the Church, revealing how their missions are conjoined and inseparable. Fr. Mike details four key ways the Holy Spirit actively works within the Church: preparing people, manifesting the risen Lord, making Christ's mystery present (especially in the Eucharist), and fostering communion with God. The discussion emphasizes that the Church itself is a sacrament of Christ's and the Spirit's mission, extending their authority to bring new life and transform believers into Christlike individuals.
Day 103 delves into the profound meaning of Pentecost, marking the full revelation of the Holy Trinity and the age of the Church. Fr. Mike explains how the Holy Spirit's outpouring fulfills Christ's Passover, granting believers the gifts of God's love, forgiveness of sins, and the restoration of divine likeness. The episode emphasizes the Spirit's power to enable us to love as God loves and to be effective witnesses to Christ through our lives.
Fr. Mike Schmitz discusses how the Holy Spirit prepared Mary for her unique role in God's plan and manifested the Son through her. He then explains the joint mission of the Son and the Holy Spirit throughout Christ's work, culminating in Jesus' glorification. Finally, he highlights the profound shift where this divine mission is entrusted to the Church.
This episode delves into how the Holy Spirit prepared for the Messiah's coming, from Old Testament prophecies, particularly Isaiah's "Servant Songs" revealing Christ's characteristics, to John the Baptist's pivotal role as precursor. It highlights the "people of the poor" who await justice and further explores the profound theological implications of John's recognition of Jesus in Mary's womb. The discussion emphasizes the continuous activity of the Holy Spirit throughout salvation history and its presence in our lives today.
This episode celebrates Day 100, unpacking Catechism paragraphs 702-710. Father Mike explores the hidden but active joint mission of God's Word and Spirit throughout salvation history, from creation and Abraham's promise to theophanies and the Law. He delves into the theological distinction between God's "image" and "likeness" in humanity, and how Israel's exile served as a purification and a prefiguration of the Church, guiding believers to live distinctly in the world today.
Father Mike Schmitz delves into the rich symbolism used to understand the Holy Spirit, examining Catechism paragraphs 694-701. He unpacks images such as water, anointing, fire, cloud, light, seal, hand, finger, and the dove, linking each to Old Testament references and their profound meaning in Christian faith and sacraments. This episode illuminates how these diverse symbols help the faithful apprehend the immaterial person of the Holy Spirit.
This episode delves into the profound relationship between the Son and the Holy Spirit, emphasizing their joint, inseparable mission despite being distinct divine persons. Father Mike illuminates how the Holy Spirit reveals Christ and acts as our anointing, drawing on analogies from Saints Augustine and Gregory of Nyssa. The discussion also covers the Holy Spirit's proper name, "Holy Spirit," tracing its meaning from the Hebrew "ruach," and explores various significant titles such as Paraclete, Advocate, Consoler, and Spirit of Truth, highlighting the Spirit's essential role in uniting believers to Christ and glorifying God.
Father Mike begins an examination of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing St. Irenaeus's teaching that we must be touched by the Spirit to know Christ. He explains the divine pedagogy of gradual Trinitarian revelation and distinguishes between God's inner being and His interaction with humanity. The episode culminates in exploring eight specific ways the Catechism outlines for understanding and experiencing the Holy Spirit's active presence in our world and in the Church.
Day 96 concludes the section on The Son, exploring the Church's final trial, which includes the supreme religious deception of the Antichrist and the temptation to seek earthly solutions instead of God. Fr. Mike explains that the Church's glory comes through following Christ's death and resurrection, not worldly triumph. The episode also delves into Christ's definitive judgment, urging listeners to repent, avoid rejecting grace, and say yes to God for salvation.
Father Mike discusses the reality of Christ's reign as both "already" present in the Church and "not yet" fully manifested, highlighting the Church's real but imperfect sanctity. The episode also emphasizes Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel and calls for Christians to practice vigilance, confront evil, and pray for the conversion of all, including the Jewish people, as part of the ongoing spiritual battle in these "last days."
Father Mike Schmitz delves into Day 94 of the Catechism, focusing on Christ's Ascension into Heaven. He explains how this event signifies the irreversible entry of Jesus' humanity into divine glory, completing his saving mission and opening the gates of heaven for humanity. The episode highlights Christ's permanent role as the High Priest, constantly interceding for us and acting as the center of the heavenly liturgy, which finds its earthly reflection in the Holy Mass. This profound mystery offers humanity direct access to God and the hope of eternal life.
Day 93 of The Catechism in a Year delves into the meaning and saving significance of Jesus' resurrection (paragraphs 651-658). Father Mike emphasizes how the resurrection confirms Christ's divine authority, fulfills prophecies, and, through the Paschal Mystery, liberates us from sin while offering a new life of justification and adoption. The episode also highlights the resurrection as the source of our own future glorified bodies, transforming our relationship with God.
This episode delves into Catechism paragraphs 645-650, examining the unique condition of Christ's risen humanity. Father Mike explains how Jesus' resurrection was not a mere resuscitation but a glorious transformation, endowing his body with new properties beyond space and time. The discussion also covers the resurrection as a transcendent event witnessed only by disciples, and its profound nature as a collective work of the Holy Trinity, perfectly uniting Christ's humanity into divine life.
Father Mike Schmitz delves into the Catechism's teaching on Christ's bodily resurrection, asserting it as a true, historical event and the crowning truth of faith. He explores biblical accounts, including the empty tomb and appearances to over 500 witnesses, while refuting interpretations that reduce the resurrection to a metaphor or product of the disciples' credulity. The episode culminates in a powerful reflection on the apostles' willingness to suffer and die for their testimony, underscoring the resurrection's undeniable reality.
This episode explores the theological meaning behind Jesus' descent into hell, as stated in the Creed. Fr. Mike clarifies that Christ, as Savior, entered the realm of the dead to free the righteous souls who lived before Him, not to save the damned or destroy hell itself. This act represents the complete fulfillment of the Gospel message, extending God's redemptive work to all people throughout history.
Father Mike delves into Day 89 of the Catechism, focusing on paragraphs 624-630 concerning Jesus' burial. He explains that Christ truly died, experiencing the separation of body and soul, yet his divine nature ensured his body did not corrupt. The discussion also covers the theological significance of Holy Saturday and connects Jesus' death and resurrection to the sacrament of baptism, where Christians die to sin and rise to new life.
Father Mike delves into Christ's death as the unparalleled Paschal sacrifice and New Covenant offering that reconciles humanity with God. He emphasizes that Jesus's 'love to the end' gives infinite value to this sacrifice, which believers are called to participate in, especially through the Mass. The episode concludes by stressing the transformative power of God's profound personal love for each individual, offering hope and redemption.
This episode delves into Catechism paragraphs 606-612, revealing Jesus Christ's entire life as an offering born of deep love and obedience to God the Father. It highlights Christ as the Paschal Lamb whose free self-sacrifice saves humanity, not merely his suffering. The discussion covers the Last Supper's institution of the Eucharist as a memorial of this offering, and Jesus' profound agony in Gethsemane as he accepted his redemptive death. Listeners are invited to participate in this redemption through Mass and the Eucharist.
Father Mike explains how Jesus' violent death was part of God's plan, not chance, yet did not negate human free will, and fulfills ancient prophecies like Isaiah's suffering servant. He clarifies "God made him to be sin" as Jesus' profound solidarity and sin offering, not actual sin, emphasizing God's benevolent, universal redeeming love. The episode concludes by affirming that Christ died for all humanity, bridging the gap between God and every person.
Father Mike delves into Catechism paragraphs 595-598, clarifying that the Jewish people are not collectively responsible for Jesus' crucifixion. Instead, the Church teaches that all sinners contribute to Christ's Passion, and Christians bear significant responsibility through their ongoing sins. He illustrates this with a poignant anecdote from Yad Vashem and the story of Joseph, showing how God can transform the greatest evil into ultimate salvation, urging listeners to embrace personal responsibility and trust in Jesus.
Fr. Mike discusses why Jesus' invitation to faith was a profound stumbling block for many Jews, who struggled to accept his claims of divinity and ability to forgive sins. He references C.S. Lewis's "liar, lunatic, or Lord" trilemma and highlights how Jesus' miracles, like healing the paralytic, demonstrated his divine authority. The episode further explores the Sanhedrin's tragic misunderstanding, stemming from ignorance and hardness of heart, and encourages listeners to recognize and overcome similar spiritual barriers.
Father Mike Schmitz delves into Jesus' deep respect for the Jerusalem Temple, a central institution in Jewish life, and unpacks the implications of his prophecy regarding its destruction. The episode highlights how Jesus fulfilled the temple's role through his own body and, at the Last Supper, instituted the Eucharist as the new and eternal covenant, transforming worship from localized sacrifice to a global offering of thanksgiving that continues today.
This episode explores Jesus' profound relationship with the Old Testament Law, emphasizing that he did not come to abolish it but to fulfill it completely. Fr. Mike details how Jesus, as the divine author, offers the definitive interpretation of the Law, perfecting and expanding its meaning, especially regarding dietary and moral principles. The discussion further clarifies the different categories of Old Covenant laws—Temple, Kingdom, and Moral—explaining which remain in effect and why others have been fulfilled in Christ and the Church.
This episode delves into Christ's Paschal Mystery—his passion, death, and resurrection—as the central message of the Good News, fulfilling all of Scripture. Fr. Mike then examines Jesus' deep connection to his Jewish identity and the historical complexities of his relationship with Israel, exploring reasons for rejection by some authorities and perceived conflicts with core Jewish institutions. The discussion concludes with a profound call to gratitude for the Jewish people's role in salvation history and heartfelt prayers for their enlightenment to recognize Jesus as the Messiah.
On "Nugget Day," Father Mike summarizes the mysteries of Christ's life from Catechism paragraphs 561-570, emphasizing Jesus' continual teaching through his actions and even his silences. He encourages listeners to conform to Christ by meditating on the Gospels and praying the Rosary, reflecting on humility, daily holiness, and Jesus' voluntary obedience for our salvation. The episode underscores that salvation means being saved from being unchristlike, urging gratitude for Jesus' ultimate sacrifice.
This episode delves into Christ's Transfiguration, a foretaste of the Kingdom that reveals his divine glory and the voluntary nature of his impending death on the cross. Father Mike draws parallels between Jesus' baptism and transfiguration, linking them to our own journey of regeneration and resurrection through suffering. The episode also examines Jesus' messianic entry into Jerusalem, where he conquers through humility rather than force, calling us to walk a similar path of love and self-sacrifice.
This episode explores how Jesus' miracles, or "signs of the Kingdom," demonstrated his identity as the Messiah and Son of God, not merely for curiosity but to invite belief and free humanity from the slavery of sin. Fr. Mike also delves into Jesus' conferral of the "keys of the kingdom" to St. Peter, establishing his unique authority within the college of apostles, a role continued by the Pope today, for governing the Church and absolving sins.
This episode delves into Jesus' mission of establishing the Kingdom of God, clarifying its identity as the Church on Earth as prophesied in the Old Testament. Fr. Mike highlights the universal call to the kingdom, especially for the poor and sinners, and Jesus' profound identification with them. He challenges listeners, stressing that entry into the kingdom demands more than just words; it requires radical choice, active love, and concrete deeds.
Father Mike Schmitz unpacks the mysteries of Jesus' Baptism and temptation, revealing how Christ's baptism signifies his acceptance of his mission as God's suffering servant and his anticipation of his redemptive death. The episode further explores Jesus' temptations in the desert, where he, unlike Adam, remains perfectly obedient to the Father, conquering the devil. Through our own obedience, we are called to participate in this divine victory.
This episode delves into the mysteries of Jesus' infancy, including his circumcision, the Epiphany, his presentation in the temple, and the flight into Egypt, highlighting salvation's origin and universal reach. Fr. Mike then examines Jesus' hidden life in Nazareth, emphasizing his ordinary life, manual labor, and profound obedience to both his earthly and heavenly Father. The discussion culminates with insights from Pope Paul VI on silence, family, and work, and the understanding that Jesus was always consecrated to his divine mission, offering guidance for our own lives.
