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

Ascension

A day-by-day walk through the transformative beliefs and teachings of the Catholic Church.

  • 17 minutes
    Day 97: Introduction to the Holy Spirit

    Together, with Fr. Mike, we begin our examination of the Third Person of the Holy Trinity, the Holy Spirit, and how God reveals himself as the Holy Spirit in our lives. Fr. Mike emphasizes the words of St. Irenaeus that, “in order to be touched by Christ, we must first be touched by the Holy Spirit.” We also explore eight ways the Catechism lays out for us to be able to understand the Holy Spirit. Today’s readings are Catechism Paragraphs 683-688.

    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 complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

    Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

    7 April 2026, 7:15 am
  • 21 minutes 22 seconds
    Day 96: The Church’s Ultimate Trial (2026)

    The Catechism concludes the section on The Son with an examination of the final trial and judgment that will happen before Christ’s Second Coming. This final trial will involve the "supreme religious deception" of the Antichrist, a deception that has already been present at various times in human history. Fr. Mike emphasizes that apostasy is a dramatic turning away from what we hold to be true. He reminds us that no other person can usher in the Messianic Age other than Christ. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 675-682.

    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 complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

    Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

    6 April 2026, 7:15 am
  • 22 minutes 50 seconds
    Day 95: Christ’s Reign on Earth (2026)

    Together, with Fr. Mike, we explore Christ’s reign on earth. We examine the reality of Christ’s reign as both “already” and “not yet.” For, even though Christ reigns on earth, we are still waiting for the fulfillment of his kingdom. Because, while the Church is Christ’s kingdom on earth, it is endowed with a “sanctity that is real but imperfect.” Fr. Mike also reiterates that Jesus Christ is truly the fulfillment of every promise made to Israel in the Old Testament. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 668-674.

    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 complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

    Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

    5 April 2026, 7:15 am
  • 16 minutes 37 seconds
    Day 94: Christ’s Ascension into Heaven (2026)

    The Catechism unpacks the line from the Creed, “He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.” Fr. Mike highlights the reality that we do not have direct access to the Father without his Son, Jesus. Christ’s ascension into heaven means, “the irreversible entry of his humanity into divine glory,” uniting our humanity with God’s divinity in a remarkable way—which finds its earthly culmination in the Holy Mass. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 659-667.

    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 complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

    Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

    4 April 2026, 7:15 am
  • 15 minutes 37 seconds
    Day 93: The Meaning of the Resurrection (2026)

    The Catechism wraps up its discussion surrounding Article 5 of the Creed (“He descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead”) and asks the question, “What does Jesus’ resurrection mean for me?” Fr. Mike points out that Christ’s resurrection proves—definitively—that he is the only begotten Son of God. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 651-658.

    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 complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

    Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

    3 April 2026, 7:15 am
  • 17 minutes 31 seconds
    Day 92: The Man of Heaven (2026)

    The Catechism demonstrates how Christ’s resurrection is “essentially different” from other cases of resurrection in the Bible and shows us how his rising from the dead is a “work of the Holy Trinity.” Fr. Mike emphasizes that Jesus was not merely “resuscitated” from the dead, as Jairus’ daughter or Lazarus, but he rose from the dead glorified, “filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.” Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 645-650.

    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 complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

    Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

    2 April 2026, 7:15 am
  • 17 minutes 53 seconds
    Day 91: Christ Rose from the Dead (2026)

    The Catechism tackles Jesus’ bodily resurrection from the dead which is the “the crowning truth of our faith in Christ". Fr. Mike makes sure we understand that Christ's resurrection cannot be interpreted as a legend or a metaphor, but as a true, historical fact. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 638-644.

    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 complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

    Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

    1 April 2026, 7:15 am
  • 14 minutes 54 seconds
    Day 90: Christ Descended into Hell (2026)

    Have you ever said the words from the Creed at Mass, “he descended into hell” and wondered, “Really? Jesus did? Why?” The Catechism shares the secrets of this line from the Creed and shows us how Jesus’ descent into hell “brings the Gospel message of salvation to complete fulfillment.” Fr. Mike makes it clear to us that Jesus did not come to save only the righteous who happened to be alive during his time here on earth, but he came to save all those righteous men and women who came before him and would come after him. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 631-637.

    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 complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

    Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

    31 March 2026, 7:15 am
  • 14 minutes 1 second
    Day 89: Jesus Christ Was Buried (2026)

    When he was crucified, Jesus experienced a real human death, the separation of his soul from his body. Because of his divinity, though, Jesus’ body did not see corruption, and his body and soul were reunited in the Resurrection. The risen Christ is the meeting point of death and life. We learn that as Christians, in Baptism, we die to sin, are buried with Christ, and then in him, we rise to new life. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraph 624-630.

    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 complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

    Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

    30 March 2026, 7:15 am
  • 17 minutes 35 seconds
    Day 88: Christ’s Definitive Sacrifice

    Christ’s death is the unique and definitive sacrifice. It is both the Paschal Sacrifice that accomplishes redemption and the sacrifice of the New Covenant that restores man’s communion with God. Fr. Mike tell us that Jesus Christ is the one mediator, and yet invites us to participate in his sacrifice when he calls on us to take up our crosses and follow him. When we accept our sufferings out of love, we are united to Christ. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 613-623.

    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 complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

    Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

    29 March 2026, 7:15 am
  • 13 minutes 52 seconds
    Day 87: Christ’s Life as Offering (2026)

    Jesus Christ’s entire life was an offering to God the Father, and he freely embraced God’s will and his plan for salvation. We learn that the Eucharist memorializes Jesus’ free offering of himself. In the garden, the night before his Passion and death, Jesus suffered real agony as he contemplated his death, yet he accepted his death as redemptive. Fr. Mike invites us to participate in this redemption by attending Mass and receiving the Eucharist. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 606-612.

    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 complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

    Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

    28 March 2026, 7:15 am
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