The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

The question of evil, suffering and brokenness in our world can be a hard one to grapple with. Sometimes, when we're in a place of darkness, the question can arise, "Would it be better if I had never been born?" Today, Fr. Mike tackles these incredibly tough questions and offers some insights into why God created you, and why it is good that you exist.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

It’s an age old question; “Why do I have to confess my sins to a priest?” Today Fr. Mike encourages and challenges us to see the Sacrament of Reconciliation not as a burden but as a gift from God. Your Heavenly Father wants to reconcile with you and offer you the grace of forgiveness and he does this through the humanity of the ordained priesthood. Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

Jesus is a miracle worker. He worked incredible “signs and wonders” during his 33 years on earth, and he continues to stun us with modern miracles to this day. He has healed people physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. But if he has shown us that he can do this… why hasn’t he healed everyone? If you’ve asked God “why haven’t you healed me,” Fr. Mike has a video for you today. Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

Today, Fr. Mike drops some truth bombs. God does not merely tolerate you. He loves you with a ferocious and passionate love and he desires that you know and experience that love today.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

In an increasingly digital age, we do more and more things virtually. And while we can use technology to help us listen to the Bible in a Year or connect with likeminded Catholics, why is it we must receive the sacraments in person? Today, Fr. Mike reminds us that we are a body and that the Lord uses our physical humanity to do the work of healing and restoration like we receive in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

Today, Fr. Mike tells us about the story of the patron saint of confessors, St. John Nepomucene, who gave up his life because he refused to break something called the "seal of confession", which is a sacred duty of a priest to never reveal what is said in the confessional. God himself established the priesthood as the mediators of reconciliation in the Gospel (John 2-:21-22). The Church takes this sacred responsibility so seriously, that any priest who breaks the seal of confession is automatically excommunicated.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

Find out how the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist from Duluth pray during Holy Week, and maybe discover something you can use in your prayer life as we walk with Jesus from his entry into Jerusalem, to Calvary and the Resurrection. The unique prayer commitment Fr. Mike suggests in this episode follows Jesus through all of his experiences—from suffering to celebration—in this the holiest week of the year.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

Reading the Old Testament can be so frustrating. We hear the stories of God’s chosen people forming a covenant with God, and then breaking that covenant over and over. How could God allow this? Today, Fr. Mike helps us read Scripture with a lens towards our own unfaithfulness and stubbornness, and shows why God chose the Jewish people to make manifest his glory.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

Why do we "have" to love God? It seems very self-centered of God to demand our love. But is it? Today, Fr. Mike opens up the first sentence of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and helps us to understand more fully why God, who was never lonely in Heaven, chose to freely create us to be in relationship with Him. Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

“Is God calling me somewhere else?” Sometimes in our discernment—especially over major life choices, like our vocations—we start second guessing our decisions. Sometimes, we make hasty decisions because we thought we “messed up” our discernment. But most of the time… the best decision is to “stay the course”. As the scriptures says, “Let your yes be yes and your no be no.” Today Fr. Mike continues his series on vocational discernment and offers some helpful guidance on how and when to make life-altering choices.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast