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 pivotal role of the Pope and the Episcopal College in the Catholic Church, tracing the papacy's origins to Jesus' designation of Peter as the "rock" and shepherd. It delves into the significance of Jesus giving Peter the keys to the kingdom, connecting this to the Old Testament office of the prime minister. The discussion also covers Peter's restoration after his denial and the ongoing authority of his successors, emphasizing the Pope's universal power and the bishops' unity with him.
Father Mike explains the distinct yet equally dignified roles of the hierarchy, laity, and consecrated life within Christ's faithful. The discussion delves into how all baptized Christians share in Christ's priestly, prophetic, and kingly offices, contributing to the Church's unified mission through diverse ministries. The episode also details the essential characteristics of ecclesial ministry, emphasizing its foundation in service, collegiality, and a personal call from Christ, empowering ministers to act in His name.
This episode delves into the Church's apostolic nature, explaining that all members are 'sent out' on a mission to spread the Kingdom of Christ. Father Mike emphasizes that the fruitfulness of this apostolate, for both ordained and lay people, stems from a vital union with Christ and is animated by charity, especially drawn from the Eucharist. The discussion also touches upon the four marks of the Church and how elements of truth and sanctification can be found beyond visible Catholic confines, inviting all to embrace God's full inheritance.
This episode explores the fourth mark of the Catholic Church: its "apostolic" nature. Fr. Mike details how the Church is built on the foundation of the apostles, preserves their teaching, and is guided by their successors, the bishops. He clarifies the concept of apostolic succession, distinguishing the Catholic Church from other denominations, and emphasizes that listening to bishops is listening to Christ. The episode concludes with a call to pray for our local bishops, who continue to shepherd the faithful.
Father Mike Schmitz discusses the Church's missionary mandate, rooted in God's eternal love and Christ's Great Commission. He explains that while salvation is always through Jesus, the Church is called to actively evangelize with patience and respect. The episode highlights that the mission's path involves poverty, service, and self-sacrifice, and encourages believers to embrace this call despite potential defeats, driven by profound love for others.
This episode examines the Catholic Church's complex relationship with non-Christian religions, including Judaism and Islam, acknowledging the goodness and truth found within them. Father Mike clarifies that while other faiths contain elements of truth, the fullness of salvation subsists in the Catholic Church through Christ. He also delves into the often-misunderstood statement, "outside the Church there is no salvation," explaining its nuanced meaning for both those who know and those who do not know Christ and His Church, and reiterates the Church's mission to evangelize.
Fr. Mike delves into the Church's catholicity, clarifying that it means universal in two primary senses: Christ's full presence providing the complete means of salvation, and her mission to all humanity. He discusses the nature of particular churches, their essential communion with the Church of Rome, and the varying ways individuals belong, from full incorporation to imperfect communion with other baptized Christians. The episode emphasizes that no one is excluded from God's embrace and the Church's invitation.
Father Mike Schmitz explores the Church's characteristic of being "holy," emphasizing that its holiness is an unfailing gift from God, despite its members being sinners. He highlights that all Church activities aim for the sanctification of humanity and the glorification of God. Drawing on St. Therese of Lisieux, he explains that love is the soul of holiness, encompassing all vocations, and ultimately, we will be judged on love alone.
Fr. Mike delves into paragraphs 817-822 of the Catechism, discussing the historical divisions within Christ's Church and the recognition of "separated brethren" who genuinely follow Christ. He emphasizes that while elements of truth and grace exist outside the Catholic Church, these ultimately derive from its fullness. The episode passionately calls all Christians to pray and work for unity, highlighting that its restoration transcends human efforts and will be a divine miracle. He concludes with a personal invitation for reconciliation and a step towards full communion.
This episode delves into the first of the four marks of the Church: "one." Father Mike explains that the Church's unity stems from its divine source, founder, and soul – the Holy Trinity, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. He highlights the visible bonds of unity, including the profession of faith, common celebration of sacraments, and apostolic succession, while acknowledging diversity and the threat of sin. The discussion also references the First Vatican Council's insights on the Church's miraculous endurance as a sign of its divine mission.
Father Mike explains how the Holy Spirit functions as the soul of the Church, uniting its diverse members and empowering every saving action. He delves into the numerous ways the Spirit builds up the Body of Christ, including through sacraments, virtues, and particularly charisms. The episode emphasizes that these spiritual gifts are for the renewal and building up of the Church, requiring gratitude, discernment, and submission to church authority.
Father Mike delves into Catechism paragraphs 792-796, explaining how Christ is the Church's preeminent Head, providing for its growth and uniting members in His Passover. The discussion highlights the mystical concept of "the whole Christ" and the unwavering faith of saints like Joan of Arc. The episode powerfully concludes by portraying the Church as Christ's beloved Bride, emphasizing God's infinite and faithful love for humanity.
Day 111 of The Catechism in a Year explores paragraphs 787-791, focusing on the Church as the Body of Christ. Fr. Mike emphasizes our deep, personal communion with Jesus, intensified by the Holy Spirit, and how sacraments like Baptism and Eucharist incorporate us into this unified yet diverse body. The episode concludes by stressing the interconnectedness of all members, explaining that individual sins wound the entire body, while personal virtues strengthen it, underscoring our shared responsibility.
Father Mike discusses Catechism paragraphs 781-786, highlighting God's plan to unite people into a holy community rather than saving individuals in isolation. He details the characteristics of this 'People of God,' including membership through baptism, the new law of love, and a mission to be salt and light. The episode deeply examines how all the baptized participate in Christ's priestly, prophetic, and royal anointing, underscoring that true reign involves loving service, especially to the poor and suffering.
This episode delves into Catechism paragraphs 772-780, explaining how the Church is the mystery of humanity's union with God and the universal sacrament of salvation. Fr. Mike highlights that loving the Church means loving what Jesus loves, His bride, and explores how the sacraments are instruments of Christ's grace, uniting all people. The discussion also touches on the Marian and Petrine dimensions and the Church's historical role in unity.
Fr. Mike Schmitz delves into Catechism paragraphs 767-771, explaining that while Jesus established the Church, the Holy Spirit continually sanctifies it, empowering its missionary work through varied gifts. The episode further explores the Church's journey through earthly trials towards heavenly perfection and unpacks the paradox of its dual nature as both visible and spiritual, human and divine, a complex reality present in the world yet destined for glory.
Fr. Mike Schmitz explains that the Church is not a man-made institution but a divine plan born from the Father's heart, foreshadowed since creation. He details how the Church was prepared through Abraham and Israel in the Old Covenant, eventually leading to a new, eternal covenant. The episode highlights Jesus Christ's role in instituting the visible Church and kingdom, culminating in its birth from his total self-giving on the cross, symbolized by baptism and the Eucharist.
This episode delves into various biblical symbols representing the Church, such as a sheepfold, cultivated field, and the spotless Bride of Christ, explaining their origins in the Old Testament and fulfillment in Jesus. Father Mike addresses potential defensiveness or hostility towards the Church, urging listeners to align their hearts with God's perfect love for His often-imperfect earthly institution. He emphasizes the need for constant reform within the Church and a prayerful openness to its teachings.
Father Mike explores Catechism paragraphs 748-752, explaining that the Church's mission is inseparable from Christ and the Holy Spirit, who is the source of all holiness. He clarifies the four marks of the Church (one, holy, catholic, apostolic) and delves into the etymology of "church" from Greek and Latin. The episode concludes by defining the three inseparable meanings of the term "church": the liturgical assembly, the local community, and the universal community of believers, reflecting on the human and divine aspects of the Church.
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.
