The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast
Episodes
A Simple Key to Extending Grace
21 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone bears burdens and faces unseen challenges. Leading a life filled with love is often the simplest path to personal growth. In this discussion...
When a Miracle Doesn't Happen
14 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike Schmitz delves deeply into the profound significance of the leper's words to Jesus: 'If you will it, you can make me clean.' This verse from ...
Fr. Mike Schmitz Reviews "Cabrini" Movie
07 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do you know the true story of America's first canonized saint? "Cabrini," a movie from Angel Studios, tells the incredible true story of Mother Cabr...
What's Inside a Humble Heart?
29 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord sees not as ma...
Comparison: The Great Distraction
22 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
St. Francis De Sales, often referred to as the "Saint-maker," liked to say, "Be who you are, and be that well." Each of us is called to pursue a life ...
The Symptoms of Vanity (and the Surprising Cure)
15 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"Vanity of vanities! All is vanity!" Okay maybe not everything, but probably more than you thought. Vanity isn't just looking the mirror too much (alt...
How to Bring Order to Your Life
08 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When you clean and organize a room, you have to ask one very important question first: what is this room for? Once you can answer that, everything beg...
Adam and Eve Ruined Everything for Us. How Is That Fair?
01 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We were all born sick. The sickness is Sin. It's not a tendency to sin that we brought upon ourselves... it's something we "caught" from our parents, ...
What If Life Doesn't Get Easier?
25 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Don't let anyone trick you into thinking life isn't hard. Experience tells us all that life is truly difficult at times. But even still... haven't you...
What If God Doesn’t Exist?
18 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What if there were no God? What does that idea look like if you follow it to its logical conclusion? It ain't pretty. Today, Fr. Mike shows us that me...
Have You Forgotten What God Has Done For You?
11 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
God commands his beloved people all throughout scripture: "Remember." And this command continues to resound for us today. Remember the good that God h...
The Raw Reality of Your Favorite Bible Heroes
04 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Some of your favorite Bible characters were... terrible sometimes. Abraham lied and said Sarah wasn't his wife. Jacob tricked his father into giving h...
“God, What’s Your Plan for My Life?”
28 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The angel Gabriel came to Mary and told her all about how she’d conceive and bear God’s son Jesus, and when she asked how this could be, he elabor...
How to Celebrate Christmas When Life Is Hard
21 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever heard the song "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day"? Have you listened to the lyrics carefully? It's not exactly the blissful naiveté o...
You CAN Quit Porn. Here’s How.
14 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This is not the first video on Ascension Presents about how to overcome an addiction to pornography, but it might be one of the simplest and most acti...
When God Doesn’t Answer Your Prayers
07 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If it feels like God isn't answering your prayers, that can be disheartening. But it can also be devastating. Today, Fr. Mike offers the good word tha...
How Guardian Angels Actually Work
30 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Are angels real? Why did God make them? What do guardian angels do? Do I have one? Does it have a name? Can I name it? ...All these questions and more...
Sneaky Ways to Be Prideful (and How to Stop)
23 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
"I don't... think... I'm prideful...?" Great! If you examine your actions and intentions and you don't detect any obvious pride, that's a wonderful th...
Why You’ll Never Be Strong Enough
16 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you've ever planned to become so holy that you don't need God's help anymore, then this video is for you. Self-reliance is a virtue lauded by moder...
Facing the Consequences of Your Actions
09 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Free will is an incredible gift from God that we often underestimate. We truly get to make a choice in every decision that we come across—even the s...
Are Your Sins the Same Story Again and Again? Rewrite the Script.
02 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Do you commit the same sins over and over again? Does it feel like a bad movie that you’re stuck watching, with the same sad script playing over and...
Superheroes vs. Saints
26 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Some people pour through comic books like they're devotional works, following the lives of superheroes like some study the lives of the saints. In thi...
Your Pastor Needs Help. Here's Where You Come In.
19 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today, Ascension is pulling one out of the vault, and Fr. Mike tells you why your parish priest needs you (and how you can help). The value of a new p...
Prayer is a Battle: Strategies for Victory
12 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When we read the lives of the saints it can appear like prayer comes so easily to them; almost as if they were soaking in a hot tub of grace. But then...
When You’re Distracted in Prayer
05 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When you're first growing in prayer and developing your relationship with Jesus, it is worth the effort to fight distractions in prayer. The more you ...
How to Be Excellent (NOT a Perfectionist)
28 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
They say that perfection is the enemy of the good. But what is true goodness in a pursuit? What does excellence actually look like and consist of? Tod...
How Do I Know If I've Actually Encountered Jesus?
21 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How do you know you've had an encounter with God? Sometimes it's hard to tell, especially if you were raised in the Faith. Today, Fr. Mike shares his ...
The Christian Response to Grief
14 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Grief is a human emotion and and affects each of us at one time or another. The Catholic Church in all her wisdom offers us this beautiful prayer in ...
Facing the Death of Those You Love
07 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone you know and love is going to die someday. You will too, but... the thought of losing everyone else can sometimes be all the more frightening...
Did God Create Aliens?
31 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Do aliens from outer space really exist? Did God create them? Are they intelligent? What does that mean for our faith? Today, Fr. Mike's answer might ...
Would It Just Be Easier Not to Be Christian?
25 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What if no one ever told you about Jesus? Your life probably wouldn't have so many rules. You wouldn't be as guilty for any sins you commit (you would...
Expectations vs. Reality
17 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When things don't go the way we expect, it's hard not to be frustrated and disappointed. How do we move on after unmet expectations? And how do we bre...
Why Holy Mass Never Gets Old
10 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When you go to a concert for your favorite band, and that band has been around for a while, what songs are everybody showing up for? The new ones off ...
What You Need to Be Saved (Faith vs. Works)
03 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There is an age old question often debated among between Catholics and Protestant. Are we saved by faith or works? How are we saved? Today, Fr. Mike ...
What REAL Faith Looks Like
27 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We must place our faith in Christ in order to allow him to save us. But what does it actually mean to have faith? What does it look like? Does it mean...
Fr. Mike Schmitz Reviews "Sound of Freedom" Movie
20 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In our world today, there are millions trapped in slavery and sex trafficking. The most horrific and devastating example of this is the sale of the we...
Which Jesus Is the Real Jesus?
13 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you profess to be a Christian, that means that you profess to follow Jesus Christ. But, of course, that presupposes that you know who Jesus is—wh...
Why You're Telling Little Lies and How to Stop
06 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You probably don't outright lie on a regular basis. But, do you exaggerate? Do you give half truths sometimes, or leave things unclear on purpose? Do ...
Fr. Mike’s Prayer for Beginners
29 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you're cultivating a life of prayer with Jesus for the first time or you're trying to reignite that fire in your soul, the breadth of prayer a...
Do Wives Have to Be Submissive?
22 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
"Wives, be subject to your husbands, as to the Lord." (Ephesians 5:22) Woah! Come again? On the list of controversial and misunderstood Bible verses, ...
3 Reasons You Still Feel Bad After Confession
15 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We know this: when we go to the sacrament of reconciliation with a truly contrite heart and receive absolution, we are forgiven of our sins by the blo...
Can I Sin on Accident?
08 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
"If no one gets hurt is it still a sin?" "It was just an accident." How can we know if our actions are a sin or just a mistake? Can we be committing...
Is it Possible to Pray Too Much?
01 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How much prayer is too much prayer? Our relationship with God is the most important relationship we will ever have. But what about when our devotions ...
The Christian Life IS Impossible
25 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The call to holiness can feel like an overwhelming challenge. In fact it can seem downright impossible. But in spite of our brokenness, sinfulness and...
If I'm Suffering, Is It Better Never to Be Born?
18 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The question of evil, suffering and brokenness in our world can be a hard one to grapple with. Sometimes, when we're in a place of darkness, the quest...
Do I Need to Go to Confession?
11 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It’s an age old question; “Why do I have to confess my sins to a priest?” Today Fr. Mike encourages and challenges us to see the Sacrament of R...
Why Doesn't God Heal Everybody?
04 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus is a miracle worker. He worked incredible “signs and wonders” during his 33 years on earth, and he continues to stun us with modern miracles...
Am I a "Good Person?"
27 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today, Fr. Mike drops some truth bombs. God does not merely tolerate you. He loves you with a ferocious and passionate love and he desires that you kn...
Can I Go to Confession Over Zoom?
20 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In an increasingly digital age, we do more and more things virtually. And while we can use technology to help us listen to the Bible in a Year or conn...
Is My Confession Really a Secret? (The Seal of Confession Explained)
13 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today, Fr. Mike tells us about the story of the patron saint of confessors, St. John Nepomucene, who gave up his life because he refused to break some...
Throwback Thursday: Praying Through Holy Week
06 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Find out how the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist from Duluth pray during Holy Week, and maybe discover something you can use in your prayer life a...
Why Did God Choose the Jewish People?
30 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Reading the Old Testament can be so frustrating. We hear the stories of God’s chosen people forming a covenant with God, and then breaking that cove...
If God Doesn't Need Us, Why Are We Here?
23 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Why do we "have" to love God? It seems very self-centered of God to demand our love. But is it? Today, Fr. Mike opens up the first sentence of the Ca...
When the Best Decision is to “Stay the Course”
16 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
“Is God calling me somewhere else?” Sometimes in our discernment—especially over major life choices, like our vocations—we start second guessi...
Why Belief Alone Isn’t Enough
09 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever heard someone state, " I believe in God, but I don't believe in prayer?" Is it logical to have an intellectual belief in the existence o...
How Do I Know if I Made the Wrong Choice?
02 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Each day of our lives we make countless decisions. Many of them have small consequences, good or bad. But what about the BIG decisions we make, like w...
When Lent Gets Inconvenient
23 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When you make a Lenten commitment, you're probably not thinking of all of the special circumstances and unforeseen events that are going to make that ...
4 Reasons Catholics Must Give Alms This Lent
16 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What are alms? Why must we give them? Am I supposed to go broke for Jesus? Fr. Mike Schmitz encourages us to be charitable this Lent, emphasizing how ...
Why Marriage Is NOT a Contract (It’s a Covenant)
09 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
For the past 50 years the institution of marriage has been under attack. More and more couples are choosing not to get married with the mindset that, ...
Are You a “Child of God”?
02 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When we’re baptized, we become adopted sons or daughters of God. We become “children of God”. So… does that mean we aren’t children of God b...
“Why Baptizing Your Baby Is the Most Important Thing You Can Do”
26 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Why does the Catholic Church baptize babies rather than wait until they are older and capable of choosing this sacrament for themselves? Salvation req...
Pray as You Can, Not As You Can’t
19 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Need more advice on prayer? Fr. Mike has you covered.
The Stories We Tell Our Children Have Consequences
12 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Stories matter. We tell them to help us understand the world around us. But what if the stories we tell don't mirror our Catholic morals? What if the ...
If God Loves Everyone, Why Doesn't Everyone Go to Heaven?
05 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
"If not everyone is going to heaven, then I don't want to be there." Is this sentiment honorable? Or misguided? Fr. Mike addresses the mystery of heav...
How to Begin with the End in Mind
29 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What do I want to be true about me at the end of this year that is not currently true? At the beginning of this new year, Fr. Mike shares the advice o...
God Is Asking You to Give Him Everything
22 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How do we give God everything? It's obvious from the stories throughout the Scriptures that God is asking us to give him everything but is He also cal...
Does God Need Me to Pray for What I Need?
15 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When we are struggling spiritually or experiencing some physical suffering we can find ourselves asking the question; "Is God listening to my prayer?"...
Give God Your Best Yes (like Mary Did)
08 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
"God will never ask you to do more than Mary did." And what did Mary do? She said "yes". Today, on the eve of the celebration of Mary's Immaculate Con...
A Message to Catholic Men
01 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you or someone you know has benefited from Ascension's free media, would you consider giving a gift of financial support? (https://tinyurl.com/2g7f...
Prideful? Here’s How to Stop and Be Humble
24 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you or someone you know has benefited from Ascension's free media, would you consider giving a gift of financial support? (https://tinyurl.com/2z5t...
A Theology of Working Out
17 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Let's talk about exercise! Today Fr. Mike challenges us to re-evaluate the way we treat and view our bodies as well as to compare the difference betw...
Do I Have to Obey My Parents When I’m an Adult, Too?
10 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
"Honor thy Father and thy Mother." We know from our youth that we are called to obey our parents as commanded by the 4th Commandment. But what about ...
Commitment Is Getting Cancelled
03 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You've probably heard the phrase "cancel culture"—the phenomenon where public figures get "cancelled" for something they say or do in an effort to s...
The Right Way to Receive the Precious Blood of Jesus at Holy Mass
27 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We believe as Catholics that at every Mass the simple bread and wine are transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit into the Body, Blood, Soul and Di...
How to Pray a Novena (the Right Way)
20 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today Fr. Mike shares with us how to approach praying a novena, whether it be a traditional nine day novena, a 33 day Consecration or even a 54 day Ro...
Wish You Had Spoken Up? 3 Things You Need Next Time
13 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You're with a group of friends and they start gossiping about another friend; what do you say? You're with a coworker and they take the Lord's name in...
You Can't Take the Cross Out of Your Life
06 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes when we look at the lives of the Saints we can be tempted to think that God singled them out to suffer more than most. But maybe that suffer...
Struggling to Share the Gospel? Here's What's Missing
29 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
(Today's video/podcast is an excerpt from, "The 99, A New System for Evangelization." To learn more about this amazing resource, visit: https://bit.ly...
What Does the Holy Spirit Actually Do? (Superhero Analogy)
22 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
(Today's video/podcast is an excerpt from "Belonging: Baptism in the Family of God." To learn more about this amazing resource visit: https://tinyurl....
What is Purgatory?
15 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We all want to be saints, but the struggle against sin and selfishness can feel overwhelming. There may be days where we might feel satisfied simply m...
"Judgmental, Bigoted, Homophobic, Elitist, and Hypocritical" (The World’s Perception of Christians)
08 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
(Today's video/podcast is an excerpt from "The 99, A New System for Evangelization." To learn more about this amazing resource visit: https://tinyurl....
This One Thing Makes Christianity Different From Every Other Religion
01 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
(Today's video/podcast is an excerpt from "Belonging: Baptism in the Family of God." To learn more about this amazing resource visit: https://tinyurl....
Your Questions About Cremation and Burial: Answered
25 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Can I be cremated? Is it okay to donate my body to science? What about the relics of Saints, they aren't buried in the ground? Last week, Fr. Mike be...
Why Can’t Catholics Scatter Their Ashes?
18 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What is a human being? What happens when we die? Why do we visit cemeteries? And why do Catholics bury the dead instead of scattering their ashes? Tod...
The Disciples Doubted the Eucharist. Do You?
11 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You may have heard that Jesus is present in the Eucharist, but have you really heard those words? You may have been in the presence of Jesus in the Eu...
Saying Goodbye, Starting Over, and Transitioning
04 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Change is always hard. Transitions in life are difficult. Goodbyes are never easy. Endings are rarely joyful. But today, Fr. Mike suggests that beginn...
The Shocking Reality of the Eucharist
28 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's easy to fall into a routine and lose sight of the little miracles all around us. Unfortunately, it is even easy to fall into a routine and lose s...
Why It's Important to Laugh at Yourself
21 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Do you take yourself too seriously? Are you unwilling to acknowledge your faults and weaknesses to others- or even to yourself? Today Fr. Mike shares...
The Miracle of Confession
14 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Learn more about Fr. Mike Schmitz and Fr. Josh Johnson's Pocket Guide to the Sacrament of Reconciliation: https://tinyurl.com/yhwfakge
How Do We Maintain Freedom in America?
07 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As Americans we are known for our celebration of liberty and our focus on "our rights." We even have a landmark statue which embodies this value we ho...
Why You Should Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church (+ NEW Podcast)
30 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In response to countless requests, Ascension is launching The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) on January 1, 2023! https://tinyurl.com/29o6...
Why Self-Care is Important for Loving Others
23 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus tells in the Gospels, "Love your neighbor as yourself." But what if you struggle to love yourself? How can we pour ourselves out for others if w...
How the Eucharist Changed My Life
16 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Why do less than 30% of Catholics believe in the Real Presence? It seems like many have forgotten that Jesus gave his flesh for the life of the world....
Is Judas in Hell?
09 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Is Judas in Hell? The overwhelming consensus over time is that he must be. But has the Church proclaimed that he definitely is? Surprisingly... no. Wh...
The One Reason You are Not Yet a Saint
02 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Are there things in my life that are incompatible with holiness? We all wish to be saints—God's people with him forever in heaven. But do we will i...
Pray About It? Or Just Do It?
26 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Have you heard the phrase, "Ora et Labora" before? What about the maxim, "Pray as if everything depends on God. And work as if everything depends on y...
How to Love Someone that is Hard to Love
19 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
"Love your neighbor as yourself." We all know the drill. Jesus calls us to love even our enemies. But loving people can be so HARD. Today Fr. Mike of...
The Truth Is, You're Spiritually Burnt and Want to Quit
12 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Are you feeling tired and spiritually exhausted? Do you feel like throwing in the towel on everything? Today Fr. Mike offers us a way to evaluate our...
Does God Have a Love Language?
05 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Most of us are familiar with the 5 Love Languages; gift-giving acts of service, physical touch, words of affirmation, and quality time. But which of t...
Fr. Mike Got a Tattoo?!?
28 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What happened? Did Fr. Mike change his mind on tattoos? Today Fr. Mike reveals his recent tattoo, why he got it, and why he’s not really happy about...