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 profound nature of the Sacrament of Marriage, examining its effects, including the formation of a perpetual and exclusive bond sealed by God. Fr. Mike explains the special grace given to spouses for supernatural love, resilience, and forgiveness, addressing the call to mutual submission and the Christian vision of leadership as selfless service. The discussion concludes with the essential characteristics of conjugal love: free, total, faithful, and fruitful.
This episode delves into the Catechism's teachings on mixed marriages between Catholics and baptized non-Catholics, and disparity of cult with non-baptized persons. Fr. Mike explains the canonical requirements for permission or dispensation and the Catholic party's obligations regarding faith and children's upbringing. He shares insights on the potential difficulties, emphasizing the importance of shared faith for raising a family while acknowledging the call to faithfulness in all circumstances.
Father Mike Schmitz discusses the indispensable nature of free consent in Catholic marriage, emphasizing that without it, no marriage exists in the Church's eyes. He clarifies what constitutes impediments to freedom, including natural and ecclesiastical laws, and delves into the nuanced annulment process. The episode also explains why sacramental marriage requires an ecclesiastical form and highlights the critical importance of proper marriage preparation, from family example to formal instruction, as a foundation for a lasting covenant.
Delve into the Catholic understanding of marriage celebration, discussing its place within Holy Mass and the necessary conditions for its validity, worthiness, and fruitfulness. The episode also clarifies virginity for the Kingdom, explaining how this particular call doesn't diminish marriage but rather underscores its profound goodness by being willingly given up for an even greater spiritual good.
Father Mike discusses how Christ elevates marriage to a sacrament in the New Covenant, restoring its original meaning of unity and indissolubility as willed by the Creator. He explains that God gradually prepared His people through the Old Covenant, tolerating practices like polygamy due to human hardness of heart, before Jesus definitively taught against divorce. The episode emphasizes that while this is a high call, Christ provides the necessary strength and grace for spouses to live a lifelong, sacrificial love.
This episode begins a series on Holy Matrimony, discussing marriage's foundation in the order of creation and its experience under the regime of sin. Father Mike unpacks the Catechism's definition, highlighting marriage as a lifelong covenant between a man and a woman, oriented towards the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring. He explains how sin distorts this divine gift, but emphasizes the enduring power of God's grace for healing and living out this high calling.
Father Mike concludes the section on Holy Orders, explaining its three degrees—bishops, presbyters, and deacons—and how the sacrament confers sacred power through the laying on of hands. He delves into the historical longing for a priestly people, fulfilled in Jesus, and reflects on the grace of the sacrament given to ordinary, often broken, men. The episode emphasizes that all are called to the heights of holiness, celebrating God's gifts and acknowledging the value of every individual's "yes" to God, whether in Holy Orders, Matrimony, or other vocations.
This episode delves into the profound effects of the Sacrament of Holy Orders, focusing on the indelible spiritual mark received by ordained men—deacons, priests, and bishops—which configures them permanently to Christ for service. Fr. Mike explains the specific graces empowering them to guide and sanctify the Church, emphasizing that Christ's action is not hindered by a minister's unworthiness. The episode concludes by highlighting the priesthood as 'the love of the heart of Jesus,' underscoring the universal call to holiness through loving response to God's will.
Father Mike Schmitz explores the sacrament of Holy Orders, focusing on the Church's teaching that only baptized men can be validly ordained. He addresses common challenges and perceptions of injustice, explaining that this tradition stems from Jesus's own establishment of the priesthood, emphasizing that it's an unmerited gift, not a right. The discussion also highlights the distinct yet equally dignified roles of men and women within the Church, contrasting spiritual fatherhood with the essential contributions of spiritual mothers like religious sisters.
Day 215 of The Catechism in a Year focuses on paragraphs 1569-1576, examining the role and ordination of deacons. Father Mike explains their ministry of service, including assisting at the Eucharist, distributing communion, and leading ministries of charity, and discusses the restoration of the permanent diaconate. The episode also covers the essential rites for celebrating Holy Orders and emphasizes that only validly ordained bishops can confer this sacrament through apostolic succession.
Father Mike Schmitz delves into paragraphs 1562-1568 of the Catechism, defining the presbyterate and highlighting the special character conferred upon priests through ordination, configuring them to Christ the High Priest. He discusses their roles in teaching, sanctifying, and governing, emphasizing their universal mission and how the Eucharist is the supreme exercise of their sacred office. The episode concludes with reflections on the profound bond between priests and bishops, the importance of sacramental brotherhood, and a fervent prayer for priestly fidelity and renewal.
Fr. Mike unpacks the Episcopacy, the first degree of Holy Orders, detailing how bishops participate in the fullness of Christ's priesthood through apostolic succession and receive special spiritual gifts. The discussion highlights their essential triple mission to sanctify, teach, and govern, drawing connections to the Old Covenant priesthood. Ultimately, the episode emphasizes the profound spiritual responsibility bishops bear for every soul in their diocese and concludes with a powerful call to prayer for them and all Church leaders.
Father Mike unpacks Catechism paragraphs 1546-1553, distinguishing between the common priesthood of all baptized believers and the ministerial priesthood of bishops and priests. He highlights how ministerial priests act "in persona Christi capitis" (in the person of Christ, the Head), serving as instruments through which Christ builds and leads his Church. The discussion emphasizes that this sacred power is given for service, not domination, and acknowledges the profound impact of priests, both as immense gifts and, due to human weakness, sources of great pain, while affirming the sacraments' efficacy regardless of ministerial sin.
This episode explores paragraphs 1539-1545 of the Catechism, discussing how the Old Covenant priesthood, particularly the Levitical order, pointed towards the ultimate and unique priesthood of Jesus Christ. Fr. Mike emphasizes that Jesus is the one true High Priest, whose singular sacrifice on the cross is made present in the Eucharist. The episode also distinguishes between the ministerial priesthood (ordained clergy) and the universal "kingdom priesthood" of all baptized individuals, encouraging listeners to actively participate in Christ's priesthood through daily life and Mass.
Father Mike introduces the Sacraments at the Service of Communion, Holy Orders and Matrimony, highlighting their purpose for the salvation of others and the building up of the Church. He reads from Catechism paragraphs 1533-1538, defining Holy Orders as the sacrament of apostolic ministry and explaining the concept of "order" and ordination as a special consecration. The episode emphasizes that ordination confers a unique sacred power from Christ, enabling priests, bishops, and deacons to perform acts like absolution and consecration.
This episode delves into the Catechism's concise summary of the Anointing of the Sick, explaining its purpose, recipients, and profound graces for those facing grave illness or old age. Father Mike then expands on the vital practice of preparing for death, outlining three Church-sanctioned methods: daily examination of conscience, weekly Fridays of penance, and seasonal observances like Lent and Advent. These practices, alongside the sacrament, equip believers for their journey to eternal life.
Fr. Mike Schmitz explains the transformative effects of the Anointing of the Sick, detailing how it offers strength, peace, courage, and forgiveness of sins, uniting the recipient more closely to Christ's Passion. The episode also highlights Viaticum, the Eucharist received before death, and the powerful Apostolic Pardon, a plenary indulgence for the dying, which removes all temporal consequences of sin.
This episode demystifies the Anointing of the Sick, clarifying that it's a sacrament for any faithful person suffering from grave illness or old age, not exclusively for those at the point of death. Father Mike explains when and how the sacrament can be repeated, who administers it, and its liturgical celebration. He strongly encourages believers not to delay in calling a priest, highlighting the profound spiritual graces and preparation for encountering the Lord that this sacrament offers, emphasizing God's mercy in all sacraments.
In this episode, Father Mike delves into the Church's understanding of sickness and healing, drawing from Catechism paragraphs 1506-1513. He explains the institution and practice of the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, highlighting its historical evolution and current rite. The discussion extends to the transformative nature of redemptive suffering, as seen in St. Paul's experience and C.S. Lewis's insights, revealing how illness can be a path to deeper faith and union with Christ.
Fr. Mike introduces the Anointing of the Sick, formerly Extreme Unction, as a sacrament of healing for both body and soul. He discusses how illness confronts humanity with its limitations, potentially leading to despair or a deeper search for God and spiritual growth. The episode culminates in understanding Jesus as the ultimate physician who redeems suffering, transforming it into a means for maturity and the world's salvation when united with His own Passion.
In this "nugget day," Father Mike Schmitz provides a concise summary of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, referencing Catechism paragraphs 1485-1498. He explains the divine institution of confession to a priest and contrasts prideful resistance with grateful acceptance of God's mercy. The episode stresses that "no evil is graver than sin" and outlines the six spiritual effects of the sacrament, including reconciliation with God and increased spiritual strength for the Christian battle.
Father Mike Schmitz delves into Catechism paragraphs 1474-1484, explaining the Communion of Saints and how the holiness of one benefits others. He clarifies the Church's authority in granting indulgences for the remission of temporal punishments and addresses historical misunderstandings like the "selling of indulgences." The episode also provides a detailed overview of the various liturgical forms of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, emphasizing the importance of individual confession while discussing the rare circumstances for general absolution.
This episode explores the profound spiritual effects of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, emphasizing how it restores us to God's grace, intimate friendship, and reconciles us with the Church. Fr. Mike details how sin has both eternal and temporal consequences, leading into a discussion on indulgences as a means to remit temporal punishment and heal unhealthy attachments. He also outlines the four conditions for gaining an indulgence and the Church's authority in this practice.
This episode explores the vital role of priests as ministers of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, clarifying that Jesus forgives sins through their ministry. Fr. Mike details the responsibilities of confessors, who must be servants of God's mercy—available, truthful, and sensitive—and explains the purpose of excommunication and its limits. He also underscores the absolute secrecy of the sacramental seal and calls for prayers for all priests to embody Christ's merciful heart in confession, offering healing to those wounded by past experiences.
Father Mike details the crucial elements of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, including contrition, the essential disclosure of sins, and the role of satisfaction. He explains that confession gives God access to our wounds for healing, distinguishes between mortal and venial sins, and clarifies how penance, like physical therapy, helps restore spiritual health rather than simply punishing. The episode emphasizes that true healing and forgiveness come through Christ's grace.
Fr. Mike Schmitz continues the discussion on the Sacrament of Reconciliation, exploring its historical evolution from early public penance to the modern practice of private confession. He details the unchanging fundamental structure of the sacrament, emphasizing the penitent's acts and God's action through the Church, and highlights the priest's essential role. The episode concludes with a deep dive into contrition, differentiating between perfect and imperfect forms and clarifying their implications for receiving Holy Communion.
This episode delves into the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, emphasizing that sin is fundamentally an offense against God that also ruptures communion with the Church. Father Mike explains that while only God can forgive sins, Jesus entrusted this power to his apostles and their successors. The discussion highlights the inseparability of reconciliation with God and the Church, underscoring the Church's vital role in restoring one's relationship with both.
Fr. Mike Schmitz guides listeners through Catechism paragraphs 1434-1439, detailing various forms of penance such as prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, which foster conversion in relation to oneself, God, and others. He stresses the significance of "taking up one's cross each day" by accepting life's challenges with Christ, and highlights the Eucharist, sacred scripture, and penitential seasons as crucial aids. The episode concludes by reflecting on the Parable of the Prodigal Son, underscoring the Father's immense and unconditional mercy.
This episode delves into the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, focusing on interior conversion as a continuous, lifelong process for the baptized. Fr. Mike explains that true conversion goes beyond outward actions, requiring a profound transformation of the heart and an active hatred for sin. He stresses the need for hope in God's mercy and trust in His grace to overcome discouragement, urging listeners to renounce sins and strive daily to be like Christ.
Father Mike begins the chapter on the Sacraments of Healing, emphasizing the necessity of Penance and Reconciliation due to human frailty and concupiscence even after baptism. He explores the various names for this sacrament and clarifies the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation, highlighting God's constant call to holiness and the Church's role in His healing ministry.
