

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

Jan 21, 2024 • 14min
Day 21: Believing God (2024)
The podcast discusses the meaning of faith and its relation to human freedom and reason. It emphasizes the importance of believing in God and everything He says. The chapters explore the essence of faith as a gift from God, its compatibility with freedom and reasoning, the submission of intellect and will to God, and the significance of believing absolutely in God's words.

Jan 20, 2024 • 15min
Day 20: Stepping in Faith (2024)
Discover how to respond to God's Revelation through faith and obedience. Learn from the examples of Mary and Abraham on how to submit our intellect and will to God. Trust in God's plan and take the next step in faith as we are given just enough light to move forward.

Jan 19, 2024 • 11min
Day 19: Summary of Sacred Scripture (2024)
Fr. Mike revisits eight main ideas from the past six days' readings. He emphasizes the unity between the books of the Old and New Testaments. The podcast highlights the revelation of God through scripture and the significance of sacred scripture in revealing God's plan. It also discusses the importance of treating the Old and New Testaments with reverence.

Jan 18, 2024 • 16min
Day 18: The Unity of the Testaments (2024)
This podcast explores the unity of the Old and New Testaments, discussing prefigurements and types from the Old Testament fulfilled in the New. It emphasizes the importance of studying Scripture for Catholics and highlights the significance of accurate translations of the Bible. The episode also emphasizes the nourishment of faith through sacred Scripture and the need for teaching and preaching rooted in it.

Jan 17, 2024 • 19min
Day 17: The Canon of Scripture (2024)
Fr. Mike explores the formation of the canon of Scripture, emphasizing the importance of all 73 books. The podcast discusses the misconceptions about the Old Testament and the significance of the Gospels. It delves into the three stages of the formation of the Gospels and the process of forming the scriptural canon. The hosts also discuss the early Christian practice of reading the Gospels and encourage listeners to have the Word of God on their devices.

Jan 16, 2024 • 14min
Day 16: Senses of Scripture (2024)
Fr. Mike Schmitz examines the literal and spiritual senses of Scripture, unpacking their meanings and providing scriptural examples. He explores the allegorical, moral, and anagogical senses of scripture and their significance. The chapter also discusses the allegorical and moral meanings of David entering Jerusalem and highlights the authority of the Catholic church.

Jan 15, 2024 • 17min
Day 15: Interpreting Scripture (2024)
The episode explores how Catholics interpret Scripture and discusses the three principles: attentiveness to the content and unity of the Bible, reading within the living Tradition of the Church, and attentiveness to the analogy of Faith. It emphasizes the importance of not taking Scripture out of context and provides insights on interpreting scripture without losing one's way.

Jan 14, 2024 • 17min
Day 14: The Eternal Word of God (2024)
Fr. Mike reflects on the sacredness of Scripture and the Church's reverence for it. He explores how God reveals himself through human words and emphasizes the importance of daily Bible reading. The chapter descriptions discuss the composition of sacred books, the truth they teach, and the importance of understanding the genre and purpose of Scripture.

Jan 13, 2024 • 16min
Day 13: The Single Deposit of Faith (2024)
Fr. Mike discusses the relationship between Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture, the role of the Magisterium in interpreting the Word of God, and how the Church's prayer and way of life reveal its identity. The episode explores the significance of tradition and scripture in divine revelation, using the movie 'A Few Good Men' as an analogy. It also emphasizes the trustworthiness of the Magisterium's interpretation guided by Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

Jan 12, 2024 • 16min
Day 12: Receiving Dogmas (2024)
Explore the concept of dogmas in the Catholic faith and how they guide our belief. Learn about the importance of boundaries and the role they play in our spiritual life. Discover how dogmas provide guidance and security while allowing believers to deepen their faith. Emphasize the significance of receiving the teachings of the church, scripture, and the magisterium for a deeper understanding of God.


