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
7 snips
Feb 10, 2024 • 17min
Day 41: Origins and Ends (2024)
Fr. Mike dives into various theories of God’s existence, exploring pantheism, dualism, and more. He explains how human reason can hint at a creator, yet it's revelation that truly unravels the mysteries of creation. Notably, he emphasizes that God created the world for a relationship with humanity. The discussion encourages deeper reflection and prayer, inviting listeners to connect more personally with the divine. With insights from the Catechism, this exploration of creation fosters a rich understanding of faith.
4 snips
Feb 9, 2024 • 18min
Day 40: God Is the Creator (2024)
Fr. Mike dives into the concept of God as Creator, exploring profound questions about our origins and ultimate purpose. He discusses the relationship between faith and science, emphasizing that understanding the Creator enhances both. The idea of a purposeful universe is examined, critiquing materialistic views and highlighting the deeper meaning behind existence. Fr. Mike links our creation to God's saving plan through Christ, reminding us that we are made for divine love and union with God.
7 snips
Feb 8, 2024 • 20min
Day 39: The Father Almighty (2024)
Fr. Mike delves into the nature of God's almighty power, emphasizing its universality and loving essence. He discusses how God's power aligns with his inherent goodness and justice, rather than being arbitrary. The conversation includes insights on the mystery of evil and suffering, highlighting God’s loving response through mercy and redemption. Fr. Mike encourages listeners to trust in God's omnipotence and prepares them for the exploration of creation in future discussions.
Feb 7, 2024 • 15min
Day 38: Summary of the Trinity (2024)
Dive into the heart of the Christian mystery as the Trinity takes center stage. Fr. Mike breaks down how the Son and Spirit reveal the Father, while also distinguishing between theology and divine economy. Discover the deep connection baptism has in sharing the life of the Trinity. Reflect on the significance of the Athanasian Creed and its teachings about God's eternal glory. Finally, explore what it means to live in faith's obscurity, holding onto the hope of eternal light.
6 snips
Feb 6, 2024 • 15min
Day 37: The Divine Economy (2024)
Explore how God reveals Himself through the divine economy, emphasizing the united action of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Fr. Mike discusses the core mysteries of the Trinity and its interconnected roles in creation and salvation. Delve into Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity's prayer, asking for hearts to become a heavenly dwelling place for God. The episode concludes with reflections on embracing the Trinity's presence in our lives and the importance of responding to this divine call.
Feb 5, 2024 • 18min
Day 36: The Nature of the Trinity (2024)
Together, with Fr. Mike, we continue our exploration of the Church’s teachings on the nature of the Holy Trinity. We examine three main ideas. The first is the unity of the Trinity, that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all one God. The next is the Divine Persons as distinct from one another: one God, three distinct persons. As Fr. Mike states, “The Son is not the Father, the Father is not the Son, and the Holy Spirit is not either.” Finally, Fr. Mike discusses the relation between each person of the Holy Trinity. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 253-256.
This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB.
For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy
Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
4 snips
Feb 4, 2024 • 16min
Day 35: Formation of Trinitarian Dogma (2024)
Fr. Mike Schmitz explores the formation of the Church's dogma on the Trinity, delving into the terminology used to explain the nature of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Trinity remains a mystery that cannot be fully comprehended, as exemplified by St. Augustine's story. The podcast explores the development of the Trinitarian dogma in the early church and the significance of baptism in revealing the triune nature of God. It also discusses the development of terminology and the deep theology of the Trinity, emphasizing the call to love the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Feb 3, 2024 • 20min
Day 34: Unity in the Holy Spirit (2024)
The Catechism introduces us to the Holy Spirit and describes how the Spirit reveals the Father and the Son to us. It also gives us some background and context regarding the way we describe the Holy Spirit in the Roman Catholic Church compared to the way that the Eastern Orthodox Church describes the Holy Spirit. Fr. Mike breaks it down for us and gives us some hope for a future reconciliation between Eastern and Western Churches. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 243-248.
This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB.
For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy
Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Feb 2, 2024 • 14min
Day 33: God as Father (2024)
Explore the multifaceted nature of God as Father, particularly through the lens of Jesus’ relationship with Him. The discussion delves into how our perceptions of earthly fathers shape our understanding of the divine. Dive into the theological concepts surrounding the Trinity and the protective love God offers humanity, contrasting it with human experiences of fatherhood. The conversation invites deep reflection on our identities as adopted children of God, celebrating spiritual connections and profound truths.
6 snips
Feb 1, 2024 • 15min
Day 32: The Most Holy Trinity (2024)
The discussion dives into the profound mystery of the Holy Trinity, emphasizing its vital role in Christian faith. Fr. Mike unpacks the distinction between God's inner life and His actions in the world. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on how the Trinity influences baptism and deepens their faith. Insights into God’s identity and love unfold, highlighting His presence and the fulfillment of His promises through Jesus. This enlightening conversation serves as an invitation to deepen one's relationship with God through prayer and community.
