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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

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All Episodes

25:08

Day 305: The Call to Chastity (2025)

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

2025/11/01

We are all called to the virtue of chastity, which integrates our sexuality within the fullness of our person. Chastity trains us in freedom, teaching us how to direct and guide our desires. Fr. Mike explains that this virtue requires sustained effort and leads to self-mastery and peace. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2337-2345. 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

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17:42

Day 304: Male and Female (2025)

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

2025/10/31

Why did God create us male and female? We begin our journey through the sixth commandment by learning about the meaning of human sexuality and the complementarity between men and women. Fr. Mike underscores the significance of the body in revealing our sexuality and our vocation to love. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2331-2336.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

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14:26

Day 303: Summary of the Fifth Commandment (2025)

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

2025/10/30

The Church offers us a consistent ethic of life from the moment of conception until death. In today’s “Nugget Day,” we review the main takeaways from our readings about the fifth commandment. Fr. Mike reiterates that the Church’s teachings on the value of human life stem from the truth that every human life is sacred; God wills each person for his own sake. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2318-2330. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the

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18:17

Day 302: War (2025)

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

2025/10/29

The Church urges us to pray and work for peace to avoid the evils and injustices of war. Because we live in a broken world, the Church also offers guidance on approaching war. Fr. Mike breaks down just war theory and the criteria of legitimate defense by military force under principles of moral law. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2307-2317.This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism,

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17:54

Day 301: Peace (2025)

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

2025/10/28

Peace is not simply an absence of war. Fr. Mike breaks down the Catechism’s teachings about peace as the "work of justice and the effect of charity.” We learn that to cultivate true peace, we must do more than avoid anger, hatred, and harm to our neighbor; we must actively work toward becoming agents of peace. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2302-2306. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the

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24:43

Day 300: Science, Bodily Integrity, and the Dead (2025)

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

2025/10/27

The Catechism looks at matters relating to scientific research, bodily integrity, and the dead with the lens of the dignity of the human person. Fr. Mike helps us navigate the Catechism’s teachings by acknowledging science and technology as a good while emphasizing restrictions and conditions to ensure respect for the dignity of persons. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2292-2301.This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the

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14:24

Day 299: Respect for Health (2025)

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

2025/10/26

Our health is a gift from God, and so we have a responsibility to care for it. Fr. Mike emphasizes the importance of caring for our health while also explaining that we cannot idolize our health and bodies as an absolute good. If we do idolize health, it can greatly distort the way we view the dignity of those around us. He also unpacks the virtue of temperance, defining it as, “doing the right thing, in the right way, at the right time.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2288-2291. This

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20:49

Day 298: Respect for Others (2025)

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

2025/10/25

We have seen how harming ourselves or others physically is a violation of the fifth commandment, but how can causing harm to another’s virtue or integrity violate this commandment? Fr. Mike unpacks what scandal is and exactly how it is a violation of the fifth commandment. He emphasizes the gravity of scandal when it comes from those who, by nature, teach, and how vital it is for all of us, but especially teachers, to avoid contributing to scandal. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs

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20:39

Day 297: The Cross of Suicide (2025)

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

2025/10/24

"The cross of suicide is a violation of the fifth commandment that, tragically, many of us have been impacted by in our world today. Fr. Mike explains that we are stewards of the life that God has entrusted to us, not owners. Our lives are precious gifts, and we have a responsibility to care for them. He also emphasizes that we should not lose hope for the eternal salvation of those who take their own lives. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2280-2283.Listener discretion advised. This

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21:50

Day 296: The Sin of Euthanasia (2025)

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

2025/10/23

We continue our examination of the fifth commandment, taking a closer look at the sin of euthanasia. Fr. Mike emphasizes that whatever the motive, the action of ending a life in order to eliminate suffering is still a sin. He also emphasizes that palliative care, however, is an important and special form of charity and love. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2276-2279.This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee

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16:37

Day 295: The Wound of Abortion (2025)

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

2025/10/22

Together, with Fr. Mike, we examine the wound of abortion. Fr. Mike emphasizes that all human life deserves protection, especially the unborn, but he also emphasizes the importance of God’s mercy. He explains that those who have procured an abortion are excommunicated, subject to the conditions established by Canon Law. However, the excommunication does not limit the scope of God’s mercy, but rather highlights the gravity of the sin. Fr. Mike concludes by highlighting that if abortion is a part of

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12:11

Day 294: Homicide (2025)

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

2025/10/21

Continuing our examination of the fifth commandment, we look at various ways in which one may sin against this commandment as it relates to homicide. The Catechism addresses three categories of homicide: direct and intentional killing, indirectly killing, and unintentionally killing. Fr. Mike explores this grave topic with resonating examples and explains the varying degrees of moral culpability. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2268-2269. This episode has been found to be in conformity

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17:09

Day 293: Legitimate Defense (2025)

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

2025/10/20

Is there ever a time where legitimate defense is justifiable? The Catechism answers this question and how it relates to honoring the dignity of the human person as we dive deeper into the fifth commandment. We learn about defense of ourselves and others, principles of crime and punishment, and capital punishment. Fr. Mike also explains the Church’s current teaching on the death penalty and why it has changed over time. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2263-2267. This episode has been found

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15:01

Day 292: Respect for Human Life (2025)

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

2025/10/19

We begin exploring the fifth commandment: “you shall not kill”. The Catechism reminds us that human life is sacred, and we must not take the life of another innocent human. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus takes this commandment even further as he calls us to avoid anger, hatred, and vengeance in addition to loving our enemies. By forgiving and extending to others the same love and mercy we are willing to extend to ourselves, we are respecting the dignity of that person. Today’s readings are

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17:23

Day 291: The Political Community and the Church (2025)

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

2025/10/18

We take a look at what the Catechism teaches about the Church in relation to political communities. Every institution has their own vision of what it means to be human, which shapes their policies. Because the Church knows the truth, that every person is made in the image and likeness of God, the Church must weigh in to ensure that the dignity of the human person is at the forefront of political decisions and policies. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2244-2257.This episode has been found

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20:48

Day 290: The Duties of Citizens (2025)

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

2025/10/17

As citizens of a nation, we have certain responsibilities in accordance with God’s Law. The Catechism provides parameters for contributing to society, welcoming the foreigner, refusing obedience, and resisting oppression. Fr. Mike helps us better understand our role as co-collaborators in society within the lens of our world today. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2238-2243.This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the

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16:42

Day 289: Family, Society, and the Kingdom (2025)

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

2025/10/16

While family is important, the Catechism states, “The first vocation of the Christian is to follow Jesus.” This means that parents should support Christ's call for their children. Fr. Mike explains that when we deny Jesus or his teachings for the sake of our families, we are making an idol of the family. We also learn the duties of civil authorities. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2232-2237.This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the

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28:45

Day 288: The Duties of Parents (2025)

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

2025/10/15

Being a parent is far more than just having kids. As the Catechism reminds us, the fruitfulness of married love extends to the moral and spiritual education of a couple’s children. Parents are the primary educators of their children, especially in the ways of virtue and prayer. Fr. Mike reminds us that it is also parents' privilege to evangelize their children. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2221-2231. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on

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20:52

Day 287: The Gratitude of Children (2025)

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

2025/10/14

Gratitude is the proper response of children toward their parents. Out of this gratitude comes respect. When we are children at home, this respect includes “true docility and obedience.” Fr. Mike emphasizes respect for parents doesn’t expire when we leave home as adults. Grown children are responsible for caring for and supporting their parents in their old age. As Fr. Mike stresses, this can be the simple but often overlooked phone call to mom or dad. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs

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18:11

Day 286: The Family and Society (2025)

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

2025/10/13

The family is the foundational element of society. Fr. Mike explains how families initiate us into societal life and act as the foundation of freedom and community. Because of its indispensable importance, we learn that civil authorities are responsible for supporting and honoring the family. Familial relationships also enlighten those found in society; we see our neighbor not as an anonymous individual but as “someone.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2207-2213. This episode has been

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