The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Ascension
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.
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
28 snips
Jan 19, 2026 • 11min
Day 19: Summary of Sacred Scripture (2026)
Join Fr. Mike as he highlights the interconnectedness of the 73 books of Scripture, centered around Christ. He explores the intriguing relationship between divine and human authorship in the Bible, emphasizing its inerrancy and the importance of proper interpretation. Fr. Mike underscores the unity and veneration of both the Old and New Testaments, likening Scripture to the reverence shown to the Eucharist. Dive into these profound insights and prayerful reflections that encourage a deeper engagement with the faith.
28 snips
Jan 18, 2026 • 16min
Day 18: The Unity of the Testaments (2026)
Explore the fascinating unity of the Old and New Testaments, where each reveals a divine plan. Discover how Old Testament figures, like King David, serve as prefigurations of Christ. Fr. Mike emphasizes the Old Testament's intrinsic value and its ongoing role in nourishing faith and theology. He tackles myths about Bible access and stresses the need for accurate translations. With an inspiring call to read Scripture frequently, he reminds us that ignorance of Scripture equates to ignorance of Christ.
28 snips
Jan 17, 2026 • 19min
Day 17: The Canon of Scripture (2026)
Fr. Mike dives into the fascinating formation of the canon of Scripture, highlighting the significance of all 73 books of the Old and New Testaments. He explores the Old Testament's enduring wisdom and the New Testament's focus on Christ as central to salvation. Delving into the stages of Gospel formation, he emphasizes that the Church played a vital role in defining the New Testament before its codification. Historical councils that affirmed the canon are reviewed, along with a discussion on the importance of the Gospels in prayer and daily life.
32 snips
Jan 16, 2026 • 14min
Day 16: Senses of Scripture (2026)
Explore the two senses of Scripture: the literal and the spiritual. Dive into how events like the Red Sea crossing foreshadow Christ through the allegorical sense. Discover how the moral sense encourages just actions drawn from biblical stories. Learn about the anagogical sense, emphasizing our eternal destiny. Fr. Mike summarizes these dimensions while reflecting on St. Augustine's insights about the Church's role in interpreting Scripture. Engage with rich examples and deepen your understanding of divine messages!
30 snips
Jan 15, 2026 • 17min
Day 15: Interpreting Scripture (2026)
Exploring the intricacies of Scripture interpretation, the discussion highlights three key principles: unity of the Bible, reading in light of Church Tradition, and the analogy of Faith. Fr. Mike emphasizes the importance of understanding both the human and divine authorship of the texts, encouraging listeners to see Christ as the focal point. He also provides practical insights on how to approach different genres and intentions within Scripture, fostering a confident and prayerful reading experience.
28 snips
Jan 14, 2026 • 17min
Day 14: The Eternal Word of God (2026)
Fr. Mike delves into the sacredness of Scripture, illustrating how God communicates through human authors. He highlights the divine essence of Christ as the core truth in Scripture, referencing Augustine's insights. The discussion emphasizes the Church's reverence for the Bible, likening it to the Lord's Body. Fr. Mike explains the balance between divine inspiration and human authorship, underlining that Scripture guides us toward salvation. Ultimately, he reminds us of the living nature of the Word, driven by the Holy Spirit to enrich our understanding.
25 snips
Jan 13, 2026 • 16min
Day 13: The Single Deposit of Faith (2026)
Fr. Mike dives into the relationship between Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture, stressing their unity as the single deposit of faith. He highlights how the Magisterium plays a crucial role in authentically interpreting God's Word. The podcast also explores the idea that the Church’s prayer and practices reveal its beliefs, often going beyond what's explicitly written in Scripture. Using engaging analogies, Fr. Mike illustrates how knowledge is transmitted through lived experience and tradition.
18 snips
Jan 12, 2026 • 16min
Day 12: Receiving Dogmas (2026)
Fr. Mike delves into the nature of dogmas as essential truths that guide our faith journey. He frames them as enlightening boundaries, which help us understand God and ourselves better. Using Chesterton's analogy, he emphasizes that these dogmas protect us like a fence around an island. He also discusses the importance of sensus fidei—the collective understanding of faith among believers—and how prayer and reflection deepen our grasp of these teachings. Altogether, it's a thought-provoking exploration of faith as a journey illuminated by divine truth.
27 snips
Jan 11, 2026 • 19min
Day 11: Sources of Divine Revelation (2026)
Fr. Mike delves into the dual sources of divine revelation: Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition, stressing their equal importance in faith. He clarifies how oral tradition shaped the New Testament and distinguishes between Apostolic Tradition and local customs. The discussion highlights the Church's reliance on both Scripture and Tradition for certainty. Fr. Mike emphasizes the role of the Magisterium, led by the Pope and bishops, in authentically interpreting these revelations. It's a thoughtful exploration of how faith is communicated through time.
23 snips
Jan 10, 2026 • 17min
Day 10: The Apostolic Tradition (2026)
Discover how the Gospel was shared both orally and in writing, with Scripture and Tradition serving as dual sources of Divine Revelation. Learn about the importance of apostolic succession and how the first apostles entrusted their teachings to bishops. Fr. Mike highlights participation in the faith as a call for all believers, not just leadership. He emphasizes that the Holy Spirit ensures the living presence of God's Word in the Church today, connecting past teachings to our modern faith journey.
