x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

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

religion & spirituality christianity

All Episodes

13:38

Day 165: Summary of Liturgical Diversity (2025)

The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) ·

2025/06/14

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. This episode

en-us

10:49

Day 164: Liturgical Diversity and Unity (2025)

The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) ·

2025/06/13

Did you know there is more than one liturgical rite in the Catholic Church? Fr. Mike reviews the different liturgical Traditions that are part of the Catholic Church. All of the different rites are rooted in the same mission of Christ, reminding us that the diversity of liturgical Traditions does not take away from the unity of the Faith. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1200-1203.This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under

en-us

11:25

Day 163: Summary of the Liturgy (2025)

The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) ·

2025/06/12

In today’s “nugget day”, we review the main takeaways from our readings on the liturgy. Fr. Mike invites us to remember that every time we participate in the liturgy, we are participating in the heavenly worship of the Father. We also learn that in times of discouragement, we can unite ourselves to Christ our high priest by praying the Liturgy of the Hours. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1187-1199.This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the

en-us

13:46

Day 162: Where the Liturgy Is Celebrated (2025)

The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) ·

2025/06/11

Where is the liturgy celebrated? The Catechism offers us overarching principles as well as specific details about the spaces in which the liturgy is celebrated. Fr. Mike highlights the importance of endowing dignity and respect to these physical spaces because they are sacred places of encounter with our Lord. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1179-1186.This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the

en-us

18:31

Day 161: The Liturgy of the Hours (2025)

The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) ·

2025/06/10

The Liturgy of the Hours is known as the “public prayer of the Church.” Fr. Mike explains how praying the Liturgy of the Hours sanctifies time and gives God the opportunity to speak to us throughout our day. Fr. Mike encourages us to see the Liturgy of the Hours as a great gift from the Church that can powerfully transform our prayer lives when it takes root in our hearts. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1174-1178.This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the

en-us

10:16

Day 160: The Liturgical Year (2025)

The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) ·

2025/06/09

Fr. Mike reviews the major solemnities and feast days that make up the liturgical year and explains why they are important to celebrate. We learn that the liturgical year highlights key moments of the Paschal Mystery and commemorates the life of our Blessed Mother and the lives of the saints and martyrs. The feasts and solemnities of the liturgical year ultimately point us to Christ’s sacrifice and strengthen our faith. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1168-1173. This episode has been found

en-us

14:54

Day 159: When the Liturgy Is Celebrated (2025)

The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) ·

2025/06/08

Together, with Fr. Mike, we examine the question of when the liturgy is celebrated. The Catechism states that there is a word that marks Christian prayer, and that word is “today.” Fr. Mike emphasizes that our liturgy and worship happens “today,” not in the past and not in the future, but right now in this present moment. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1163-1167.This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on

en-us

12:07

Day 158: Holy Images in the Liturgy (2025)

The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) ·

2025/06/07

We continue our examination of the different elements of the liturgy, specifically holy images in the liturgy. Fr. Mike highlights that because the Word was made visible in the flesh, Christians now can use images of Christ to pray. Liturgical art is a symbol that points to a greater reality than itself. It is meant to lift our hearts and minds to the Lord in a way that words cannot. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1159-1162. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the

en-us

16:09

Day 157: God’s Word and Sacred Music (2025)

The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) ·

2025/06/06

Fr. Mike examines the words, actions, music, and singing involved in how we celebrate the Liturgy. He discusses how, at many Masses, there are signs that accompany the Word of God to emphasize the importance of the Word being proclaimed. He further explains that sacred music is a combination of music and words drawn chiefly from Sacred Scripture. When we sing during the Liturgy, we are making art out of God’s Word, itself, and that art forms a necessary part of the Liturgy. Today’s readings are

en-us

17:13

Day 156: How the Liturgy Is Celebrated (2025)

The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) ·

2025/06/05

We continue to examine the celebration of the liturgy and sacraments. In the context of how the liturgy is celebrated, Fr. Mike explains that we are both body and spirit, and so signs and symbols are the way in which we communicate with and understand the world around us. God communicates spiritual realities in the same way. The signs and symbols which are utilized in the liturgy not only point to spiritual realities, but also make them present. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs

en-us

18:13

Day 155: Who Celebrates the Liturgy (2025)

The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) ·

2025/06/04

Together, with Fr. Mike, we examine “who celebrates the liturgy.” Fr. Mike emphasizes that when we celebrate the sacraments, the whole Christ, not just the body on Earth, but also the body in Heaven, celebrates with us. The Church enables us to participate in the eternal liturgy through the sacraments, and our baptismal priesthood allows us to have full, conscious, and active participation in the liturgy. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1135-1144.This episode has been found to be in

en-us

13:09

Day 154: Sacraments of Eternal Life (2025)

The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) ·

2025/06/03

We’ve seen how the sacraments re-present what Christ worked for us in his Passion and death, but the Catechism also explains to us how the sacraments prefigure our eternal inheritance in heaven. Fr. Mike uses this “nugget day” as an opportunity to ensure we understand what the sacraments are and what they’re for. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1130-1134. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the

en-us

14:11

Day 153: Sacraments Save (2025)

The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) ·

2025/06/02

Jesus uses his sacraments to save his people. The Catechism proclaims that the sacraments are “efficacious”, the sacraments are “wrought…by the power of God” alone, and the sacraments are “necessary for salvation”. Fr. Mike doubles down on the reality that sacraments cause what they signify. They are not merely signs pointing to an already present reality—Jesus, himself, is at work in each and every expression of the sacraments throughout time and in all places. Today’s readings are Catechism

en-us

16:42

Day 152: Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi (2025)

The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) ·

2025/06/01

The Catechism makes clear to us that evangelization and the sacraments go hand in hand. An ancient saying is highlighted, linking the two: lex orandi, lex credendi—or, the law of prayer is the law of faith. Fr. Mike illustrates this connection by showing us that, when you change the sign that points to an invisible reality, you risk changing where it’s pointing. This is why “no sacramental rite may be modified or manipulated at the will of the minister or the community.” Today’s readings are

en-us

14:37

Day 151: The Seven Sacraments (2025)

The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) ·

2025/05/31

The Catechism introduces the seven sacraments that Christ offers the Church: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. The Catechism highlights the fact that the sacraments are “by the Church” because the Church is “Christ’s action at work”, and they are “for the Church” because they “manifest and communicate to men…the mystery of communion with the God who is love.” Fr. Mike focuses on the fact that while ministerial priests administer many

en-us

12:58

Day 150: The Epiclesis (2025)

The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) ·

2025/05/30

At the heart of the Liturgy of the Eucharist is the epiclesis, when the priest begs the Holy Spirit to come and transform the bread and wine into the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ. The Catechism explains this mysterious reality, and Fr. Mike reiterates that the Mass is not a repetition of Christ’s once-and-for-all sacrifice, but a re-presentation and celebration of his eternal sacrifice on the Cross. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1104-1112.This episode has been found to be

en-us

14:09

Day 149: The Holy Spirit Recalls Christ’s Mystery (2025)

The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) ·

2025/05/29

Fr. Mike examines how the Holy Spirit recalls the mystery of Christ. We explore how the Holy Spirit both inspires the Word of God and recalls the Word of God. Fr. Mike emphasizes that it is the Holy Spirit that helps us hear and understand God’s Word. It is the Holy Spirit that helps elicit a response of consent and commitment within us. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1099-1103.This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the

en-us

18:48

Day 148: The Holy Spirit’s Work in the Liturgy (2025)

The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) ·

2025/05/28

Together, with Fr. Mike, we continue our examination of the sacramental economy, specifically the Holy Spirit’s work in the liturgy. Fr. Mike emphasizes that what Jesus makes possible, the Holy Spirit makes actual. We are made to live in the life of the risen Christ and that is what the Spirit brings about in us. Fr. Mike concludes with a reflection on the importance of understanding that the Christian Liturgy springs from and fulfills the Jewish Liturgy. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs

en-us

17:24

Day 147: Christ’s Work in the Liturgy (2025)

The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) ·

2025/05/27

We continue our examination of Christ’s acts through the sacraments that he instituted. Fr. Mike emphasizes the importance of understanding that the sacraments are sacred signs that “make present efficaciously the grace they signify.” The sacraments specifically signify the Paschal mystery, Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. We also explore how the Paschal mystery cannot remain in the past. Though it occurred in time, it transcends all time and is made present in all time. Today’s readings are

en-us

16:33

Day 146: The Father’s Work in the Liturgy (2025)

The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) ·

2025/05/26

Together, we begin Section One on the sacramental economy. Fr. Mike emphasizes that the sacramental economy is both what God has done for us and how we should participate in it. He also emphasizes the blessings we receive from the sacraments through the Father. We conclude with an examination on the dual dimension of the sacramental liturgy, that while we are praising the Father, we are praising the Father with his own gift, his own Son. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1076-1083.This

en-us

635 results

Similar Podcasts

Jeff Haygood, Pastor

PodPoint

PASTOR ALVARO VALENCIA

Pastor Alvaro Valencia

Grace Life Church CT.

PodPoint

Pleasant View Church

Ted Nance

Christian Heritage Church"s Podcast

PodPoint