The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

Ascension

Faith, pop culture, and headline reflections from Fr. Mike Schmitz.

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20 episodes
Updated Thursday

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Episodes20

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Thursday · 6 min
Responding to my Conversation with Kim Zember on Same Sex Attraction
"Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.” Luke 12:51-53 Fr. Mike Schmitz shares how applicable these Bible verses are t
July 23 · 9 min
Why We Bury the Dead
Why can't Catholics scatter ashes? Why does the Church ask us to bury the dead? Fr. Mike Schmitz explores the Catholic understanding of honoring the dead, explains why scattering ashes isn't permitted, and reveals what these practices teach us about the dignity of the human person and the promise of eternal life.
July 16 · 7 min
The Biggest Opportunity Most Catholics Ignore (w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Become a saint by saying "yes" to God, starting with the Mass. Fr. Mike Schmitz explains why the Eucharist is God's greatest gift and why the saints made it the center of their lives. If we want to become holy, we can't ignore the place where Jesus gives Himself completely to us. Don't settle for what's easy, discover why faithful participation in the Mass is essential on the path to sainthood.
July 9 · 6 min
What Matters More Than Success
What does Jesus mean when he tells us to “bear fruit”? Fr. Mike Schmitz explains that bearing fruit isn’t simply about being productive or avoiding laziness, it’s about who we are becoming and allowing God to transform our lives. How can you bear fruit today?
July 2 · 8 min
Train Your Heart to Trust
What does "Give us this day our daily bread" really mean? Fr. Mike Schmitz explores why Jesus teaches us to ask for "daily bread" and how this simple prayer invites us to trust God one day at a time.
June 25 · 8 min
The Differences Between Men and Women
Are men and women really that different? And if so, what do those differences reveal about how we relate to one another? Fr. Mike Schmitz explores how the differences between men and women are not reasons for division, but reminders of our need for one another. Rather than pitting the sexes against each other, our unique strengths and perspectives can help us pursue truth, navigate difficult decisions, and flourish together.
June 18 · 7 min
How to Correct Someone Without Hurting Them
What's the difference between criticism and correction, and does it really matter? Fr. Mike Schmitz explains how to offer correction in a way that is both loving and effective. Instead of assuming motives, resorting to name-calling, or making personal attacks, he encourages us to focus on the facts. And when we're unsure of someone's intentions, choose trust over suspicion.
June 11 · 7 min
Politics Are Distracting You From This (w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Are headlines, podcasts, and politics consuming your attention? Fr. Mike Schmitz encourages us to step away from the constant noise of news, politics, and our phones and turn instead to Scripture. In the Bible, we encounter the wisdom, truth, and peace that no news cycle can provide.
June 4 · 8 min
What I’d Tell Someone on Their Deathbed
What do you say to someone when they're at their last moment of life? Fr. Mike Schmitz shares what he would tell someone who's dying and it might be different than what you think.
May 28 · 11 min
Why Be Catholic?
Fr. Mike wants everyone to be Catholic, but why? Isn't Catholicism just a list of rules? Fr. Mike Schmitz explains why the Catholic faith is about far more than simply “following rules.” Instead, it’s about encountering the goodness of God and experiencing the beauty of life with Him through the Catholic faith.
May 21 · 11 min
The Sin Jesus Spoke About Most Seriously
"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea." Matthew 18:6 Fr. Mike Schmitz reminds us that our actions carry weight. He cautions us to remember that someone is always watching, and that we represent something greater than ourselves. Are our actions and behaviors leading others closer to God or closer to sin?
May 14 · 7 min
Fr. Mike Reacts to Theo Von's Prayer
If you're a Christian and you follow Theo Von at all, you've probably heard about his reaction to an audience member calling in and getting vulnerable about his struggles. Theo Von responds by opening up about his ongoing spiritual journey and his struggles in vice and prayer. But Fr. Mike didn't choose to highlight this moment just because of Theo Von and his journey. Theo Von's vulnerability, honesty, and frankness reveal a lot about the fickleness of the human heart—and the incredible nature
May 7 · 10 min
Why You Need to Take Care of Your Body
We can fall into two traps when it comes to the body: believing the body is nothing, or believing the body is everything. Both are distortions of the truth. Fr. Mike Schmitz reminds us that we are both body and soul. Your body is part of who you are, and your soul is part of who you are, so caring for both matter. At the same time, St. Pope John Paul II warned against the “cult of the body”, the idea that our value is determined by appearance, fitness, or physical perfection. Your worth is no
April 30 · 8 min
Praying Like this Changed My Life
Struggling to pray? Fr. Mike Schmitz shows how Ignatian prayer makes prayer simple again by using Scripture and your imagination to enter into the Gospel. Begin by asking the Holy Spirit for help, choosing a short Gospel passage, and slowly immersing yourself in it one sense at a time. Rather than replacing other prayers, Ignatian prayer deepens them, helping you grow in trust and a more personal relationship with Christ.
April 23 · 16 min
The Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary with Fr. Mike Schmitz (Sacred Art Version)
Pray the Luminous Mysteries with Fr. Mike Schmitz!
April 16 · 5 min
This Teaching Will Change Your Life
Struggling to understand the Bible? Fr. Mike Schmitz shares how the Great Adventure Bible Timeline helped him finally connect the story of salvation. Now fully refreshed, with on-location filming and expert insights, this powerful series brings Scripture to life like never before. Whether you're new or experienced, see the big picture of God’s plan and your place in it! Understand the Bible like never before: ascensionpress.com/bibletimeline Check out the free preview of the Bible Timeline: h
April 9 · 11 min
My Message For All Catholics (w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Happy Easter! In this joyful season, as we celebrate the beauty of our faith, we’re also reminded of our human brokenness, and how at times, that brokenness can reflect poorly on the Church. Fr. Mike Schmitz encourages us not to get discouraged nor walk away, whether we’re new to the Church or have been Catholic our whole lives, but instead to refocus on what makes our faith truly unique, Jesus Christ, fully present in the Eucharist: Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.
April 2 · 10 min
Don’t Go Into Easter Without Asking Yourself This (w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Throughout Lent, and really throughout the entire Christian life, we keep Christ crucified before our eyes as a reminder of how deeply we are loved. But it also confronts us with a question: Do I want to be associated with that? Fr. Mike Schmitz challenges us, especially during Holy Week but also every day, to answer honestly: Do I want to be associated with Jesus, even if it means suffering? Our hope is that the answer becomes “yes,” day after day. Because no matter the trials or sacrifices,
March 26 · 36 min
Fr. Mike Schmitz and Michael Iskander on "House of David", Catholic Faith, and More
Fr. Mike Schmitz sits down with Michael Iskander, best known for his role as King David in House of David, for a powerful conversation on faith, vocation, and the journey toward God. They reflect on David as a flawed man after God’s own heart, exploring what it means to live faithfully, trust God’s mercy, and simply do the “next right thing.” Michael also shares his journey to Catholicism, including his experience growing up in Egypt amid persecution and the moments that led him to a deeper re
March 19 · 7 min
If You're Doing This, It's Not Love (w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

Support the show

Responding to my Conversation with Kim Zember on Same Sex Attraction

Why We Bury the Dead

The Biggest Opportunity Most Catholics Ignore (w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz)

What Matters More Than Success

Train Your Heart to Trust

The Differences Between Men and Women

How to Correct Someone Without Hurting Them

Politics Are Distracting You From This (w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz)

What I’d Tell Someone on Their Deathbed

Why Be Catholic?

The Sin Jesus Spoke About Most Seriously

Fr. Mike Reacts to Theo Von's Prayer

Why You Need to Take Care of Your Body

Praying Like this Changed My Life

The Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary with Fr. Mike Schmitz (Sacred Art Version)

This Teaching Will Change Your Life

My Message For All Catholics (w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz)

Don’t Go Into Easter Without Asking Yourself This (w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz)

Fr. Mike Schmitz and Michael Iskander on "House of David", Catholic Faith, and More

If You're Doing This, It's Not Love (w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz)