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 180: The Source and Summit
June 29th, 2023 | 12 mins 32 secs
body of christ, eucharist, heavenly liturgy, paschal lamb, sacraments, sacrifice of the mass
The Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life.” Today, we begin our journey into the mystery of the Eucharist. Fr. Mike emphasizes that the Eucharist is particularly unique in relation to the other sacraments because it unites us to the heavenly liturgy and draws us into communion with God. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1322-1327.
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Day 179: Summary of Confirmation
June 28th, 2023 | 18 mins 5 secs
confirmation, intention, sacraments, sacraments of initiation, state of grace
Together, with Fr. Mike, we have arrived at the conclusion and nugget day for the section on the sacrament of Confirmation. Fr. Mike reiterates the idea that, “What God has done in me cannot stop with me.” We receive God’s gifts at Confirmation, and it is now up to us to use these gifts. He also emphasizes the importance of having the desire for the sacrament of Confirmation when the sacrament is received. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1315-1321.
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Day 178: Who Receives Confirmation
June 27th, 2023 | 17 mins 3 secs
age of discretion, bishop, confirmation, minister, sacraments, sacraments of initiation, sponsor
We continue our examination of the sacrament of Confirmation, specifically both who should receive Confirmation and who can act as the minister of the sacrament. Fr. Mike reiterates that every baptized person, not yet confirmed, should receive the sacrament of Confirmation. Without Confirmation, Christian initiation remains incomplete. He also emphasizes the importance of choosing someone who can help you grow in the Faith as a sponsor. Fr. Mike concludes with an examination of who the minister of Confirmation is, and how its minister ties us to the apostolic succession. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1306-1314.
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Day 177: The Celebration of Confirmation
June 26th, 2023 | 21 mins 13 secs
actions, confirmation, holy spirit, rite of confirmation, sacraments, words
We continue our examination of the sacrament of Confirmation, specifically the celebration and effects of the sacrament of Confirmation. Fr. Mike explores the different elements of the rite of Confirmation and the ways in which Confirmation increases and deepens our baptismal graces. He emphasizes, in particular, the special strength of the Holy Spirit that we receive to spread and defend the Faith by our words and actions. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1297-1305.
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Day 176: Traditions and Signs of Confirmation
June 25th, 2023 | 17 mins 26 secs
anointing, confirmation, east, oil, sacraments, sacraments of initiation, tradition, unity, west
Together, with Fr. Mike, we continue our examination of the sacrament of Confirmation, specifically the two Traditions and different signs of Confirmation. Fr. Mike unpacks the differences in the two Traditions, East and West, in the celebration of Confirmation. He also explores the different signs that oil and anointing in the sacrament of Confirmation can signify. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1290-1296.
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Day 175: Introduction to Confirmation
June 24th, 2023 | 12 mins 25 secs
apostles, baptismal grace, confirmation, economy of salvation, pentecost, sacrament, salvation
We begin our examination of the sacrament of Confirmation. Fr. Mike emphasizes that the reception of Confirmation is necessary for the completion and strengthening of baptismal grace. He also highlights the vital importance of the reception of Confirmation because it gives us the power to be a witness to God’s grace on earth, just as the Apostles received that same power at Pentecost. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1285-1289.
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Day 174: Summary of the Sacrament of Baptism
June 23rd, 2023 | 12 mins 46 secs
baptism, baptismal grace, baptize, fruit of baptism, in brief, indelible spiritual sign, nugget day, sacraments of initiation
In this summary of the Church’s teachings on Baptism, the Catechism relays the heart of the sacrament. If you needed to quickly explain Baptism to someone on the street—Fr. Mike says—this would be your guide. Fr. Mike hones in on the fact that Baptism is “a grace and a gift of God that does not presuppose any human merit.” Today’s readings are paragraphs 1275-1284.
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Day 173: Brothers and Sisters in Baptism
June 22nd, 2023 | 15 mins 41 secs
baptism, baptismal font, baptismal seal, baptize, baptized, body of christ, children of god, chosen race, church unity, common priesthood, configured to christ, daughters of god, dominicus character, faithful, full communion, indelible spiritual mark, living stones, member of the church, obedience, obey, people of god, rights and responsibilities, sacramental bond of unity, seal of the lord, sign of faith, sons and daughters, sons of god, unity of christians
The Catechism shows us how Baptism unites the Church as a “People of God of the New Covenant” and goes so far as to say that “Baptism constitutes the foundation of communion among all Christians.” We all belong to Jesus, together. Fr. Mike highlights the fact that with the gift of unity in Baptism comes real responsibility. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1267-1274.
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Day 172: What Does Baptism Do?
June 21st, 2023 | 14 mins 57 secs
a new creature, adopted, baptism, baptismal, baptize, baptized, belonging, beloved creature, co-heir, concupiscence, daughter of god, divine nature, effects of baptism, forgiveness of sins, grace of baptism, immersion, partaker, sanctifying grace, son of god, temple of the holy spirit
Baptism has profound effects upon the baptized: “purification from sins and new birth in the Holy Spirit.” The Catechism shows us that the graces of Baptism are so deep that—for the newly baptized—“nothing remains that would impede their entry into the Kingdom of God.” Fr. Mike relates to us the hard teaching that we are born mere beloved creatures of God—but through Baptism, we become adopted sons and daughters of God. Today’s readings are paragraphs 1262-1266.
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Day 171: The Necessity of Baptism
June 20th, 2023 | 20 mins 9 secs
baptism, baptism of blood, baptismal, baptist, baptize, baptizing, catechumen, desire for baptism, faith, faith and baptism, godfather, godmother, godparent, limbo, martyr, ministers of baptism, necessity of baptism, officium, reborn of water, sacrament of faith, trinitarian formula
“Baptism is the sacrament of faith.” The Catechism explains to us who can baptize as well as why we need Baptism for eternal life. It also explains to us what happens when people die without the opportunity for Baptism. Fr. Mike addresses our “what about” questions concerning Baptism. Most especially, Fr. Mike addresses the destination of those who will never have the opportunity to hear the Gospel or be baptized. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1253-1261.
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Day 170: Who Can Be Baptized?
June 19th, 2023 | 13 mins 34 secs
adult baptism, baptism, baptismal, baptize, baptizing, catechumen, catechumenate, child baptism, infant baptism, rcia
Put simply, “[e]very person not yet baptized and only such a person is able to be baptized.” The Catechism explains to us the purpose of Baptism for both adults and infants. Fr. Mike doubles down and makes sure we understand that Baptism is for everyone. God wills Baptism for all people. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1246-1252.
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Day 169: The Mystagogy of Baptism
June 18th, 2023 | 14 mins 18 secs
baptism, baptismal water, mystagogy, mystery, sacraments, sacraments of initiation
Together with Fr. Mike, we continue our examination of the sacrament of Baptism, specifically the mystagogy of the rite of Baptism. The Catechism explains each and every element of the Baptismal rite, from the Sign of the Cross to the baptismal water. Fr. Mike concludes with a reflection on Baptism just being the beginning of our sacramental journey, and how we are called to walk as children of God throughout our lives after our Baptism. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1234-1245.
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Day 168: The Celebration of Baptism
June 17th, 2023 | 14 mins 17 secs
baptism, initiation, rcia, rites of christian initiation, rites of christian initiation for adults, sacraments, sacraments of initiation
We continue our examination of the Sacrament of Baptism, specifically how we celebrate the sacrament and the different elements that must always be present in Baptism. Fr. Mike emphasizes that while infant Baptism has become the “form in which this sacrament is usually celebrated,” post-baptismal formation and instruction is necessary in order for the full flowering of the graces received in the Sacrament of Baptism. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1229-1233.
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Day 167: The Baptism of Christ
June 16th, 2023 | 12 mins 35 secs
baptism, prefiguration, sacraments, sacraments of initiation, st. john the baptist, water, waters of baptism
Together, with Fr. Mike, we continue our examination of the sacrament of Baptism. Fr. Mike emphasizes that each and every one of the Old Covenant prefigurations are fulfilled in Christ Jesus. He also unpacks Christ’s own Baptism in the Jordan, explaining that when Christ is baptized by John the Baptist, he brings the “mess of humanity” into the Jordan with him and makes the waters of Baptism holy. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1223-1228.
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Day 166: Introduction to Baptism
June 15th, 2023 | 18 mins 43 secs
baptism, enlightenment, new covenant, old covenant, prefigurement, regeneration, renewal, sacraments, sacraments of initiation
Together, we begin the chapter on the sacraments of initiation, specifically the section on the sacrament of Baptism. Fr. Mike unpacks the different names that the Church employs when discussing Baptism, such as the “washing of regeneration and renewal” and “enlightenment.” He concludes with a reflection on the prefigurations of Baptism in the Old Covenant. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1210-1222.
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Day 165: Summary of Liturgical Diversity
June 14th, 2023 | 13 mins 38 secs
catholic, culture, diversity, liturgical diversity, liturgy, universal
Together, with Fr. Mike, we arrive at the conclusion and “nugget day” for the section on liturgy and culture. Fr. Mike reiterates the importance of the fact that the Church does not abolish culture, but redeems and fulfills it. He also emphasizes that even though the Church welcomes liturgical diversity, there are still some things that are incompatible with the Faith and, therefore, unable to be incorporated into Catholic liturgy. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1204-1209.