The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast
Faith, pop culture, and headline reflections from Fr. Mike Schmitz.
Episodes
December 4, 2025 • 5 mins
Do you trust God's timing?
Fr. Mike Schmitz reminds us that God is never late (and never early). We can trust whole heartedly that His timing is always perfect!
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November 27, 2025 • 7 mins
"God does not ask us to be successful, He asks us to be faithful." - St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Fr. Mike Schmitz reflects on this quote along with the way St. Mother Teresa lived her life. So often we measure our lives by worldly success, however God wants your faithfulness, not your success.
Let us always say, "God let me honor you with my effort."
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November 20, 2025 • 6 mins
When you miss an opportunity to share the faith, what's the next step?
Fr. Mike Schmitz reflects on the question, "When should I say something?" We'll never have every answer, but if we take everything to the Lord, He will show us the way.
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November 13, 2025 • 9 mins
There have been numerous fake videos of Fr. Mike circulating online: clips of him supposedly asking for money for Lourdes, delivering sermons he never gave, and appearing on accounts that aren’t actually his.
These are all scams — and a concerning reminder of how easy it is to be deceived by AI-generated content.
Fr. Mike addresses these scams, shares tips for spotting fake content, and offers his perspective on artificial intellig...
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November 6, 2025 • 7 mins
Can your feelings be sinful?
Fr. Mike Schmitz reminds us that "sin and virtue do not reside in the emotions, they reside in the will." Our emotions, whether positive or negative, don’t make us good or bad; what matters is how we respond to them. Use your emotions to choose and pursue the good!
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October 30, 2025 • 5 mins
"Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. A person should examine himself, and so eat the bread and drink the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment* on himself." - 1 Corinthians 11:27-29
Fr. Mike explains that receiving Holy Communion in a state of mortal sin, is itself a mortal sin. However, ...
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October 23, 2025 • 6 mins
As we discover the lives of the saints, it seems they endured quite a bit of suffering before receiving their eternal reward. It begs the question, is it worth it?
Fr. Mike reminds us that in this life, we will have suffering. The question is not, can you avoid suffering by avoiding Jesus? The question is, can your suffering be transformed by embracing Jesus?
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October 16, 2025 • 7 mins
You may have close friends in your life, but do you have virtuous friendships?
Fr. Mike Schmitz shares three kinds of friendship and explains that while it's important to have good friends, you need to have this special kind of friendship with at least one person in your life: virtuous friendship.
Tickets are on sale now for Fr. Mike Schmitz's Parables Tour at https://www.AscensionPress.com/FrMikeTour
October 20 - Detroit, MI [SOL...
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October 9, 2025 • 10 mins
Big news! Ascension was selected by the USCCB to publish the long-awaited Second Edition of the Liturgy of the Hours!
You may have heard of the Liturgy of the Hours, but not quite like this. Fr. Mike Schmitz shares why this ancient prayer holds such a special place in his heart and how praying it can transform your relationship with God.
For updates and preorder opportunities, sign up at https://www.AscensionPress.com/LOTH
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October 2, 2025 • 25 mins
Fr. Mike Schmitz is back, reacting to powerful scenes from The Chosen. Find out which moments brought him to tears, which ones he wrestled with, and hear his honest perspective on how the series portrays the life of Christ.
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September 25, 2025 • 4 mins
📖 Listen to Fr. Mike’s full recording of "The Imitation of Christ" with commentary, available now on the Ascension App!
Or check out: https://ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics
Fr. Mike Schmitz introduces Thomas à Kempis’ classic, The Imitation of Christ and unpacks its central theme of detachment. He explains how Christian detachment differs from Buddhist detachment.
Christian detachment is not indifference or rejection of the...
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September 16, 2025 • 12 mins
If you've been rocked by all of the death, violence, and destruction in the news these past few weeks, you are not alone. Fr. Mike offers guidance during this difficult time, and reflects on Charlie Kirk's words: "When people stop talking, that's when you get violence."
Fr. Mike filmed this video on September 12th, 2025 — two days after Charlie Kirk's assassination.
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September 6, 2025 • 7 mins
How does someone become a saint? What steps and criteria does the Catholic Church follow in the canonization process?
Fr. Mike unpacks the journey to sainthood and reminds us that holiness begins with one simple thing, saying “yes” to God.
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September 4, 2025 • 7 mins
"Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:40)
Fr. Mike shares the exciting news of his new podcast, "Called"! Join us each week as Fr. Mike sits down with a new guest discussing how we're all called to live a more virtuous, generous and Christ-centered life.
To learn more, check out: https://thecatholicinitiative.org/podcast/
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August 28, 2025 • 11 mins
It’s hard to believe, but it’s been 10 years since Fr. Mike first appeared on Ascension Presents! From day one, his wisdom, humor, and joy have inspired countless people on their faith journey. Whether you’ve been here since the very beginning or just discovered our channel, come join us as Fr. Mike takes a trip down memory lane, reacting to his very first Ascension Presents video!
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August 21, 2025 • 8 mins
Does silence ever feel uncomfortable? Do you fill the quiet with TV, music, or endless scrolling?
Fr. Mike explains why silence isn’t something to fear but something we desperately need, both in our daily lives and especially in prayer. While learning, entertainment, and even guided prayers can be good, true growth happens when we create space for silence and allow ourselves to hear the voice of God.
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August 18, 2025 • 22 mins
Have you ever watched a confession scene and wondered how accurate it really is? Join Fr. Mike as he reacts to popular confession scenes in movies and tv shows!
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August 15, 2025 • 6 mins
Looking for a powerful book recommendation? Look no further. Fr. Mike’s new book Unshakeable is all about living a life of virtue in the midst of chaos.
Fr. Mike shares why he dedicated the book to his parents, the best advice they ever gave him, and the four simple words that can change everything: “Trust in the Lord.”
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July 24, 2025 • 7 mins
Do you feel lost in your loneliness?
Fr. Mike reminds us that throughout Scripture, loneliness shows up again and again, even Jesus himself experienced deep moments of isolation. If you’re feeling alone, know that you’re not the only one. In your loneliness, you can unite your heart to Christ’s, who truly understands what you're going through.
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July 17, 2025 • 6 mins
How do I fit in prayer with my busy schedule?
Fr. Mike shares some practical advice for fitting in prayer when you feel you don't have time. He also explains the importance of having a plan by sharing these three questions: Where am I going to pray?When am I going to pray? How am I going to pray?
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