The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
A day-by-day walk through the transformative beliefs and teachings of the Catholic Church.
About the show
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.
Episodes
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Day 70: The Immaculate Conception (2025)
March 11th, 2025 | 13 mins 23 secs
annunciation, ascension, bible, blessed virgin mary, catechism, catechism in a year, catechism of the catholic church, catholic, catholic church, catholic doctrine, catholic faith, catholic teachings, catholicism, father mike, father mike schmitz, fiat, foundations of faith, fr mike, fr mike schmitz, full of grace, immaculate conception, jesus, mary, mary mother of god, mother mary, mother of jesus, original sin, scripture, singular grace, theotokos, tradition
The Catechism introduces us to Mary’s Immaculate Conception and explains why God preserved her “immune from all stain of original sin.” Fr. Mike answers a common question asked in response to this revelation: “Why didn’t God just preserve us all from original sin?” His answer might surprise you. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 490-494.
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Day 69: Born of the Virgin Mary (2025)
March 10th, 2025 | 18 mins 2 secs
ascension, bible, catechism, catechism in a year, catechism of the catholic church, catholic, catholic church, catholic doctrine, catholic faith, catholic teachings, catholicism, destiny, divine, eve, father mike, father mike schmitz, fiat, foundations of faith, fr mike, fr mike schmitz, heaven, human, jesus, mary, mother, new covenant, predestination, prefigures, revelation, salvation, scripture, tradition, trust, will, women
Fr. Mike helps us to understand Mary’s role in the history of salvation. Through her belief and obedience, Mary becomes the Mother of God, and she cooperates in the redemption of the entire world. God’s glory is manifested when he uses weak and powerless people to show forth his faithfulness. What we believe about Mary is based on what we believe about Christ, and what the Church teaches about Mary illuminates our faith in Christ. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 484-489.
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Day 68: The Mystery of the Incarnation (2025)
March 9th, 2025 | 17 mins 41 secs
ascension, bible, body, catechism, catechism in a year, catechism of the catholic church, catholic, catholic church, catholic doctrine, catholic faith, catholic teachings, catholicism, divine, divine love, father mike, father mike schmitz, foundations of faith, fr mike, fr mike schmitz, heart, human, human love, incarnation, jesus, love, mystery, nature, sacred heart, salvation, scripture, tradition, will, word made flesh
We learn more about Jesus Christ’s nature as fully God and fully human. Because he was fully human, “like us in all things but sin,” Jesus had a human will that was perfectly aligned with the will of God the Father, a human body that can be seen and venerated, and a human heart with which he loves us. Fr. Mike sums up the teachings in recent readings by reviewing that the Incarnation is the mystery of the union of the divine and human natures in the one person of the Word. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 475-483.
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Day 67: The Humanity and Divinity of Christ (2025)
March 8th, 2025 | 18 mins 4 secs
ascension, bible, catechism, catechism in a year, catechism of the catholic church, catholic, catholic church, catholic doctrine, catholic faith, catholic teachings, catholicism, father mike, father mike schmitz, foundations of faith, fr mike, fr mike schmitz, incarnation, jesus, salvation, scripture, son of god, tradition, word made flesh
Fr. Mike teaches us more about the divine and human natures of the second person of the Holy Trinity, the Word that became flesh, Jesus Christ. Jesus became like us in all things but sin; as such, he has a human soul, intellect, will, and body without losing any of his divinity. Father Mike tells us that in his human nature, Jesus thought with a human mind, worked with human hands, and loved with a human heart. Christ needed to learn things, and he increased in wisdom and understanding. The full humanity and true divinity of Jesus is a great mystery of our faith. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 470-474.
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Day 66: True God and True Man (2025)
March 7th, 2025 | 24 mins 43 secs
ascension, bible, catechism, catechism in a year, catechism of the catholic church, catholic, catholic church, catholic doctrine, catholic faith, catholic teachings, catholicism, consubstantial, divinity, father, father mike, father mike schmitz, foundations of faith, fr mike, fr mike schmitz, god, heresy, humanity, incarnation, jesus, person, scripture, son, tradition
We explore the truth that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man; he is one person with two natures, both Divine and human. Fr. Mike explains that we call Mary the Mother of God because, from the very moment of his conception, Jesus was fully God and fully human. Fr. Mike also goes over heresies in the history of the Church that have denied the humanity of Christ, rejected the divinity of Christ, or confused the fact that Jesus is the Son of God by nature. The Church has always responded by affirming that Jesus Christ is truly the Son of God who became a man and our brother without ceasing to be God and Lord. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 464-469.
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Day 65: Why the Word Became Flesh (2025)
March 6th, 2025 | 19 mins 9 secs
ascension, bible, catechism, catechism in a year, catechism of the catholic church, catholic, catholic church, catholic doctrine, catholic faith, catholic teachings, catholicism, divine nature, father mike, father mike schmitz, flesh, foundations of faith, fr mike, fr mike schmitz, holiness, incarnation, jesus, love, salvation, scripture, son of god, tradition, word
The Word became flesh to reconcile us with God, to manifest God’s love for us, to model holiness, and to make us partakers of the divine nature. We learn that the “Incarnation” refers to the fact that the Son of God assumed human nature in order to accomplish our salvation. Fr. Mike explains that belief in the Incarnation of God is the distinctive sign of Christian faith. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 456-463.
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Day 64: The Lord (2025)
March 5th, 2025 | 17 mins 16 secs
ascension, bible, catechism, catechism in a year, catechism of the catholic church, catholic, catholic church, catholic doctrine, catholic faith, catholic teachings, catholicism, father mike, father mike schmitz, foundations of faith, fr mike, fr mike schmitz, jesus, jesus is lord, kyrios, lord, lord jesus, my lord and my god, name of jesus, scripture, the lord, titles of jesus, tradition, yhwh
As we wrap up our discussion of Jesus’ titles, we learn about the last title attributed to Jesus: The Lord. Fr. Mike explains that this title expresses the respect and honor we owe Jesus as God himself. We learn about the origin of this name in Scripture, and what this remarkable title means for us today in our personal relationship with God. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 446-455.
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Day 63: The Only Son of God (2025)
March 4th, 2025 | 15 mins 31 secs
ascension, bible, catechism, catechism in a year, catechism of the catholic church, catholic, catholic church, catholic doctrine, catholic faith, catholic teachings, catholicism, divine son of god, divine sonship, eternal son of god, father mike, father mike schmitz, foundations of faith, fr mike, fr mike schmitz, jesus, jesus the son of god, only begotten son of god, scripture, son of god, tradition
As we continue to learn about the name of Jesus and the titles given to him, we encounter in today’s readings the unique title that belongs to Jesus as the only “Son of God.” Fr. Mike clarifies how this title is different from the term “son of God” found in the Old Testament and explains the meaning of Jesus’ Divine Sonship. Lastly, Fr. Mike encourages us to profess with our lips and our lives this beautiful reality that Jesus is truly the only begotten Son of God. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 441-445.
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Day 62: The Christ (2025)
March 3rd, 2025 | 17 mins 40 secs
ascension, bible, catechism, catechism in a year, catechism of the catholic church, catholic, catholic church, catholic doctrine, catholic faith, catholic teachings, catholicism, christ the king, father mike, father mike schmitz, foundations of faith, fr mike, fr mike schmitz, jesus, jesus christ, king, messiah, messianic fulfillment, priest, prophet, scripture, the name of jesus, tradition
Why is Jesus named “The Christ”? Today we discover the meaning behind this powerful title. We also learn about the three-fold ministry of Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. Fr. Mike explains the true meaning of the kingship of Jesus and how as followers of Christ, we have the opportunity to participate in his priestly, prophetic, and kingly ministry. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 436-440.
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Day 61: The Name of Jesus (2025)
March 2nd, 2025 | 16 mins 26 secs
ascension, bible, catechism, catechism in a year, catechism of the catholic church, catholic, catholic church, catholic doctrine, catholic faith, catholic teachings, catholicism, father mike, father mike schmitz, foundations of faith, fr mike, fr mike schmitz, in vain, jesus, jesus christ, reverence, scripture, the name of jesus, tradition
Together with Fr. Mike, we examine the name above every other name: Jesus Christ. We explore the importance of this name and our reverence for it. Fr. Mike emphasizes that Christians, unlike those practicing other religions, tend to use the name of our Father in heaven “in vain.” He explains how detrimental and tragic that can be. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 430-435.
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Day 60: God Sends His Only Son (2025)
March 1st, 2025 | 20 mins 32 secs
ascension, bible, catechesis, catechism, catechism in a year, catechism of the catholic church, catholic, catholic church, catholic doctrine, catholic faith, catholic teachings, catholicism, father mike, father mike schmitz, foundations of faith, fr mike, fr mike schmitz, jesus, jesus christ, only son of god, scripture, son of god, tradition
Fr. Mike emphasizes that God did not have to do anything for us after the Fall, yet he sent us his only Son, and through his Son, we have received grace upon grace. We learn that the transmission of the Christian faith consists of proclaiming Jesus Christ to lead others to faith in him. If we are called to teach him, we must first have a relationship with him. Just as the Apostles burned with a desire to spread the Good News, we too are called to catechize and deliver the word of Christ as his spokesmen on Earth. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 422-429.
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Day 59: Summary of The Fall (2025)
February 28th, 2025 | 14 mins 52 secs
adam, ascension, bible, catechism, catechism in a year, catechism of the catholic church, catholic, catholic church, catholic doctrine, catholic faith, catholic teachings, catholicism, concupiscence, devil, envy, eve, father, father mike, father mike schmitz, foundations of faith, fr mike, fr mike schmitz, jesus, original sin, scripture, the fall, tradition
We have arrived at the “nugget day” or the In Brief for the sections on The Father and Original Sin. Fr. Mike reiterates the important idea that every human person is good, but every human person is also broken. This brokenness and inclination towards sin is called concupiscence. However, as St. Paul reminds us “Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more” (Romans 5:20). Fr. Mike concludes with the sentiment of hope that we believe that the world has been established and set free by God’s love. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 413-421.
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Day 58: Man’s Spiritual Battle (2025)
February 27th, 2025 | 21 mins 58 secs
ascension, bible, catechism, catechism in a year, catechism of the catholic church, catholic, catholic church, catholic doctrine, catholic faith, catholic teachings, catholicism, concupiscence, father mike, father mike schmitz, first sin, foundations of faith, fr mike, fr mike schmitz, jesus, original sin, protoevangelium, scripture, sin, spiritual battle, tradition
Fr. Mike explores the hard battle which each and every one of us must face, the battle with sin. Together, we examine the mystery of us being both free and under the power of the Devil. Fr. Mike emphasizes that if we are unaware of our wounded nature, it can lead to grave errors in our own lives. If we have an attitude that, “since I’m made good, then everything I’m drawn to must be good,” we can fall into temptation and evil. We conclude on a hopeful note; however, that even after we sinned, God did not abandon us to the “domain of death,” and with God’s grace, evil will never have the last word. Today’s readings are Catechism Paragraphs 407-412.
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Day 57: Consequences of Adam’s Sin (2025)
February 26th, 2025 | 15 mins 34 secs
adam, ascension, bible, catechism, catechism in a year, catechism of the catholic church, catholic, catholic church, catholic doctrine, catholic faith, catholic teachings, catholicism, concupiscence, eve, father mike, father mike schmitz, foundations of faith, fr mike, fr mike schmitz, human nature, jesus, original sin, personal sin, scripture, tradition
Fr. Mike examines the consequences of the sin of our first parents, Adam and Eve. He discusses that even though they committed a personal sin, it affected all of human nature. As Fr. Mike states, “Original sin broke the world.” Additionally, we explore the idea that although we are good, we are still broken. Fr. Mike also discusses how each and every one of us has an inclination towards evil and sin known as concupiscence. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 402-406.
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Day 56: Man’s First Sin (2025)
February 25th, 2025 | 20 mins 57 secs
adam, ascension, bible, catechism, catechism in a year, catechism of the catholic church, catholic, catholic church, catholic doctrine, catholic faith, catholic teachings, catholicism, eve, father mike, father mike schmitz, foundations of faith, fr mike, fr mike schmitz, jesus, original sin, scripture, sin, the fall, tradition
Together, with Fr. Mike, we explore the nature of man’s first sin or our “freedom put to the test.” Fr. Mike unpacks the importance of us understanding that freedom is not the power to “do what we want,” but rather, the power to “do what I ought.” Though the story of the first sin is that of our first parents, Fr. Mike emphasizes that we still repeat the grave error of the first sin in our own lives by preferring our own perceived “goods” over the “goods” of our Creator and Father in heaven. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 396-401.
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Day 55: The Fall of the Angels (2025)
February 24th, 2025 | 18 mins 43 secs
angels, ascension, bible, catechism, catechism in a year, catechism of the catholic church, catholic, catholic church, catholic doctrine, catholic faith, catholic teachings, catholicism, creation, disobedience, fall, fallen angels, father mike, father mike schmitz, foundations of faith, fr mike, fr mike schmitz, jesus, satan, scripture, tradition
Fr. Mike explores the fall of the angels, and how their fall leads to our own “fall into death out of envy.” Together, we examine what caused some of the angels to fall, whether it be pride or envy, and how it affects humanity's reality within creation. Fr. Mike concludes with a commentary on the mystery of why Divine Providence permits evil and the actions of the fallen angels. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 391-395.