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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Father Mike delves into the Fourth Commandment, highlighting its role as the first of the Decalogue's second half, governing human relationships. He explains how this commandment applies universally, even given the reality of dysfunctional families. The discussion also covers the three levels of respect – inherent dignity, respect for office/role, and earned character – and the reciprocal duties between those in authority and their subordinates. Ultimately, observing this commandment brings peace and prosperity, though discerning how to truly honor in complex situations requires wisdom.
Father Mike Schmitz discusses the Catechism's teaching on Sunday as a day of rest, highlighting its countercultural nature in a work-obsessed society. He explains how Sunday should be dedicated to worship, family, acts of mercy, and relaxation, while also addressing legitimate work excuses and the call for a collective effort to enable everyone's rest. The episode concludes with practical advice on cultivating a rhythm of holy leisure.
This episode delves into the Catechism's teaching on the Sunday celebration of the Eucharist, highlighting its role as the heart of the Church's life and the foundation of all Christian practice. Fr. Mike discusses the obligation to attend Mass, exceptions for serious reasons, and the process of seeking dispensation from a pastor, emphasizing the spiritual importance of communal worship and fidelity to Christ.
This episode delves into the Third Commandment, 'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy,' connecting it to God's creation rest and Israel's liberation from slavery. Fr. Mike explains that prioritizing rest is essential for our humanity and a protest against the idolatry of work and money. The discussion then shifts to Sunday as the Christian Lord's Day, fulfilling the Sabbath through Christ's resurrection and calling for outward, public worship.
Father Mike discusses the Catechism's teachings on the Christian name, emphasizing how baptism confers God's name upon us, shaping our identity and demanding we live in a way that glorifies Him. The episode explores the significance of choosing Christian names, the power of the Sign of the Cross in daily life, and the importance of avoiding blasphemy. Listeners will gain insight into the profound meaning of invoking God's name in prayer and contemplating God's infinitely unique love for each individual, symbolized by a new name in Revelation.
Fr. Mike Schmitz discusses the gravity of false oaths, explaining that taking God's name in vain means invoking Him to witness a lie, which constitutes perjury. He clarifies Jesus' teaching on oaths, how the Church tradition permits legitimate oaths under strict conditions, and the moral obligation to refuse oaths required by unjust authorities. The episode underscores our duty to always align our speech with God, who is truth.
This episode delves into the Second Commandment, explaining why God's revealed name is sacred and how its misuse has become commonplace. Father Mike emphasizes the deep personal trust God extends by revealing His name, drawing on Catechism teachings and a powerful quote from Cardinal Newman. The discussion also covers the gravity of blasphemy and the need for reverence, even during honest struggles in prayer.
Father Mike delves into agnosticism, examining its various forms from genuine intellectual uncertainty to indifferentism, and its close ties to practical atheism. The episode then addresses the First Commandment's prohibition of graven images, reconciling Old Testament commands with the Christian veneration of icons. He explains how the Incarnation allows for images as aids to foster affection for God and the saints, distinguishing this from adoration.
Father Mike Schmitz delves into sins against the first commandment, specifically irreligion, which includes tempting God, sacrilege, and simony. He unpacks the nuances of each, from questioning God in desperation to the gravity of profaning sacred things, and clarifies the concept of offerings versus payment for sacraments. The episode then examines different forms of atheism, highlighting its impact and challenging believers to consider how their own witness might unintentionally contribute to its prevalence, urging for a transformation of heart.
This episode delves into the First Commandment, examining how common practices like superstition, idolatry, divination, and magic deviate from true worship. Father Mike explains that superstition can even infiltrate Catholic practices by attributing magical importance to external acts, while idolatry involves divinizing anything other than God. He also warns against divination and magic, emphasizing they are not merely empty but dangerous and evil, contradicting the honor owed solely to God.
This episode explores the Catholic understanding of religion's social duty, emphasizing the obligation to seek truth and respectfully share the Christian spirit in all aspects of public life. It also delves into the critical concept of religious freedom, clarifying that while individuals have rights to follow their conscience, this freedom operates within reasonable limits defined by natural law and the common good, ensuring respect for all religious communities even in states with a recognized religion.
Father Mike Schmitz delves into what it means to "serve Him only" as part of the first commandment. He details the virtue of religion through adoration, prayer as an indispensable condition for obeying God, and true sacrifice as offering one's entire life. The episode also covers the significance of promises and vows, including the evangelical counsels, as acts of devotion and dedication to God.
Day 272 delves into the First Commandment: 'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.' Fr. Mike explains that God's demand for worship stems from His liberating love, not need, and is meant to free us from self-made idols. The episode details various sins against faith (doubt, heresy), hope (despair, presumption), and charity (indifference, hatred of God), providing a comprehensive understanding of how we can violate this foundational command. It ultimately reminds us to trust in God who loved us first.
Father Mike explores the Ten Commandments, focusing on their division into love of God and love of neighbor, their inherent unity, and their relationship to natural law. He delves into the Church's tradition of understanding and numbering the Decalogue, explaining its grave obligations. Ultimately, the episode emphasizes that God's grace makes it possible to keep His challenging commandments.
This episode begins an in-depth exploration of the Ten Commandments, starting with the biblical texts and traditional formulations. Fr. Mike discusses Jesus' affirmation and amplification of these laws, emphasizing their connection to love of God and neighbor, and how they provide the path to eternal life. The discussion highlights the Decalogue's context as God's liberating gift, freeing us from sin and revealing His loving will and personal care for humanity within the covenant.
This episode explores how the fidelity of baptized Christians is a primordial condition for proclaiming the Gospel and the Church's mission. Father Mike emphasizes that our moral life is not private; it must authenticate the truth of salvation through transformed living. He highlights that even our brokenness, humility, and perseverance in seeking God's grace serve as powerful missionary witnesses, ultimately impacting the Church's global mission.
Day 268 explores Catechism paragraphs 2037-2043, focusing on the Church as a caring mother and teacher. Fr. Mike explains the faithful's right to divine instruction and the duty of observing the Church's laws, including the five precepts. He emphasizes these precepts are the necessary minimum for spiritual life, covering Mass attendance, confession, Eucharist reception, fasting, and providing for the Church's material needs. The episode encourages a filial spirit and active participation in the Body of Christ.
This episode delves into paragraphs 2030-2036 of the Catechism, focusing on the Church's role as our Mother and Teacher. Father Mike emphasizes the importance of docility to the Church, which provides us with God's Word, sacraments, and models of holiness, making our moral life an act of spiritual worship. The discussion highlights the Magisterium's authority to announce moral principles and its prophetic office to both console and challenge us, guiding us toward our true identity and purpose before God.
This episode delves into the Catechism's teachings on God's grace, mercy, and justification, explaining how grace moves us from sin towards becoming adopted children of God. Father Mike emphasizes that God's grace precedes and perfects human freedom, allowing us to respond to His divine initiative. The discussion covers various forms of grace, the role of baptism, and how our merit before God originates from His gratuitous justice and our collaboration through love.
Father Mike Schmitz discusses Catechism paragraphs 2012-2016, highlighting that every person is called to the "heights of holiness" and an intimate union with Christ, regardless of their circumstances. He explains that the path to perfection includes self-denial and the Cross, and introduces Venerable Bruno Lanteri's motto "Nunc Coepi" (Now I begin) as a reminder to always recommit with God's grace, even after failures, and to pray for the grace of final perseverance.
Father Mike explores the Catholic understanding of merit, clarifying that while we can achieve true merit, it is always rooted in God's gratuitous grace and initiative. He emphasizes that man has no strict right to merit, as all good comes from our Creator, and even our capacity to respond to grace is a gift. The episode highlights the paradox that while we collaborate in good works, the only thing we can truly claim as "mine" is sin, concluding with St. Thérèse of Lisieux's prayer of appearing with "empty hands" to receive God's love.
Father Mike delves into the profound interaction between God's free initiative and man's free response, explaining how grace gives us the ability to truly be free and say yes to God's love. The discussion covers different types of grace, including habitual, actual, prevenient, sacramental graces, charisms, and graces of state, emphasizing their purpose for the common good of the Church. He concludes by exploring how grace, a supernatural order, cannot be known by feelings but by faith, manifesting diverse fruits in each individual, exemplified by St. Joan of Arc's trusting reply.
Father Mike delves into the nature of grace, explaining how it enables us to respond to God's call for eternal life. He differentiates between habitual (sanctifying) grace, a stable disposition to live with God, and actual graces, which are God's specific interventions. The discussion culminates in the concept of prevenient grace, highlighting that God always initiates our spiritual journey, preparing us to receive and respond to his divine life, transforming us from within.
This episode delves into the profound meaning of justification, emphasizing it's not merely forgiveness but a radical inward renewal by the Holy Spirit. Fr. Mike explains how Christ's Passion merits this grace, conferred in baptism, which detaches us from sin, purifies our hearts, and infuses faith, hope, and charity. The discussion highlights the crucial cooperation between God's grace and human freedom, empowering believers to live a tangible life of obedience and sanctification.
This "Nugget Day" episode summarizes Catechism paragraphs 1975-1986 on the moral law, detailing natural law, the old law, and the new law in Christ. Fr. Mike highlights that God's law is a fatherly instruction, rooted in love and written on the human heart, serving as a foundation for civil society. He explains how embracing these commands leads to human flourishing, joy, and freedom, while ignoring them often results in heartache.
This episode examines Catechism paragraphs 1970-1974, focusing on the New Law as a commandment of love, grace, and freedom. Fr. Mike explains how this demanding call requires divine grace through the sacraments, delves into the practical moral teachings of the apostles like Colossians 3, and clarifies the purpose of evangelical counsels, ultimately emphasizing that all are called to holiness.
In this episode, Fr. Mike delves into paragraphs 1965-1969 of the Catechism, explaining the New Law as the perfection of divine law, distinct from the Old Law by offering the Holy Spirit's grace. He highlights how this law, expressed in the Sermon on the Mount, goes beyond actions to reform the heart. Critically, Fr. Mike emphasizes that the Sacraments are the essential means by which we receive the grace needed to live out these profound and challenging gospel demands, urging personal reflection and reliance on God's power.
This episode delves into the Catechism's teachings on the Old Law, presenting it as the first stage of God's revealed law, summarized by the Ten Commandments. Father Mike explains its pedagogical purpose in gradually revealing God's will and establishing justice before mercy. While holy and good, the Old Law is imperfect, serving as a tutor that highlights sin but lacks the power to grant the grace for its fulfillment. The episode concludes by emphasizing the New Law and the Holy Spirit as the means to live God's commands in true freedom and joy.
Day 256 begins a deep dive into moral law, focusing on the natural moral law found within every person. Fr. Mike explains that God, as the source of all goodness, instills this inherent moral compass, which is further clarified by revelation and grace. The discussion highlights natural law's universality, permanence, and its role as a foundation for human community, while acknowledging the impact of sin on its clear perception.
This episode delves into the profound principle of human solidarity, emphasizing its foundation in Christian brotherhood and the dignity of every person. Fr. Mike discusses the Catechism's teaching on solidarity, including the responsibility to use private property for the common good and to address inequalities. He encourages listeners to practice solidarity beyond material goods, seeing others as brothers and sisters, whether they are strangers, coworkers, or family, transformed by grace rather than mere legislation.
