Home Podcasts The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast
The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

Ascension 579 Episodes Jul 23, 2026

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

Episodes

Why We Bury the Dead
Why We Bury the Dead Jul 23, 2026 9:27 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.
The Biggest Opportunity Most Catholics Ignore (w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz)
The Biggest Opportunity Most Catholics Ignore (w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz) Jul 16, 2026 7:21 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 sa
What Matters More Than Success
What Matters More Than Success Jul 9, 2026 6:37 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?
Train Your Heart to Trust
Train Your Heart to Trust Jul 2, 2026 8:38 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.
The Differences Between Men and Women
The Differences Between Men and Women Jun 25, 2026 8:42 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 diffi
How to Correct Someone Without Hurting Them
How to Correct Someone Without Hurting Them Jun 18, 2026 7:08 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.
Politics Are Distracting You From This (w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Politics Are Distracting You From This (w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz) Jun 11, 2026 7:27 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.
What I’d Tell Someone on Their Deathbed
What I’d Tell Someone on Their Deathbed Jun 4, 2026 8:29 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.
Why Be Catholic?
Why Be Catholic? May 28, 2026 11:17 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.
The Sin Jesus Spoke About Most Seriously
The Sin Jesus Spoke About Most Seriously May 21, 2026 11:38 "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
Fr. Mike Reacts to Theo Von's Prayer
Fr. Mike Reacts to Theo Von's Prayer May 14, 2026 7:46 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 vulnera
Why You Need to Take Care of Your Body
Why You Need to Take Care of Your Body May 7, 2026 10:20 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 b

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