The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

Will only Catholics go to Heaven? Is there any hope for those outside the Catholic Church? Fr. Mike Schmitz explores the doctrine, "Outside the Church there is no salvation," to help us understand God's plan for redemption and His intention to save all, both Catholic and non-Catholic.

Our lives are so full of noise, distractions, constant activity. But we weren’t made to be filled with these things. Fr. Mike Schmitz reminds us that fasting isn’t just about food. It’s about emptying ourselves so God can fill us. Lent isn’t only about saying no, it’s about saying yes to Someone greater.

So often we focus our Lent on discipline, willpower, and perfection. But the goal isn’t perfection. The goal is union. Fr. Mike Schmitz shares that the most powerful thing he ever did for Lent wasn’t adding more prayers, books, or practices, instead it was choosing silence. See how this simple step can transform your Lent and bring you closer to the Lord than ever before!

When someone gets chosen instead of you, how should you respond? Fr. Mike Schmitz reminds us that God has a unique plan for each and every one of us. When others are blessed by being chosen, there is often a hidden burden that comes with it. We tend to see the blessing, but we forget the weight that accompanies it. Instead of giving in to jealousy or self-pity, remember this: everyone has their own story. If God didn’t choose you for what you were hoping for, it’s not because you were overlooked, it’s because He has something different, and perhaps even better, in store for you.

Falling into the same sin again and again? Don't let the devil fool you, there is hope! Fr. Mike Schmitz warns us of the lies of the devil and encourages us to go immediately to confession when we sin. Don't get discouraged, but have the humility to confess your sins and the hope that Christ can transform you! If in weakness you sin, in freedom, claim the Lord.

What's in our heart that refuses to celebrate when good things happen to someone else? Fr. Mike Schmitz reflects on the story of the man healed on the Sabbath. Many focus on the fact that Jesus healed on the Sabbath, though technically allowed, but Fr. Mike invites us to look deeper. The real issue isn’t the law. It’s the heart. More than Jesus performing the miracle, what this story exposes is that sometimes we fail to value the suffering of others, or even the joy of others, because they simply don’t matter enough to us.

Did Judas think he was actually helping Jesus fulfill His mission by betraying Him? Was Judas pre-destined to become the traitor of the Lord? Fr. Mike Schmitz asks these bold questions and unpacks what Scripture says about the person of Judas Iscariot. By evaluating his motivations and his lack of cooperation with the grace given to him, Fr. Mike details what a tragedy it is that he never became St. Judas.

Why do Catholics baptize their babies? Is it even biblical? At first glance, infant baptism can seem unbiblical. But Fr. Mike points to several instances in Scripture that support the practice and reveal God’s desire to bring children into His covenant family from the very beginning. Baptizing a child doesn’t replace their freedom — it begins their life of faith. As they grow, they will one day choose Jesus for themselves and personally embrace the grace they first received as a gift. For those baptized as adults, baptism becomes a conscious, public declaration of faith. That journey often includes waiting, and that’s okay. There’s no need to rush. God uses the waiting to prepare your heart, deepen your desire, and make you ready to fully receive what He wants to give you. Something sacred happens in the waiting. It stretches the heart, strengthens faith, and forms trust. Let God do His work there.

"'Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?' He (Jesus) said to him, 'You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" Matthew 22: 36-39 Fr. Mike Schmitz warns us of the dangers of making our lives too full, even with good things. He reminds us of the beautiful quote from St. John of the Cross, "In the twilight of our lives, we will be judged on love alone."

Fr. Mike jumps into the mystery of Knives Out, not to solve the murder but to understand the truest mission of the priesthood. In the midst of Hollywood's fascination with Catholicism, they've often had trouble capturing an honest representation of Catholics. However, Fr. Mike explores the success of Rian Johnson's appropriate casting and display of a priest in the midst of impossible odds. Find out what Fr. Mike loved about the film and why he thinks, this time, Hollywood got it right!

2026 marks the 5th anniversary of Bible in a Year! Over the past five years, the Lord has taken this podcast to extraordinary places -- reaching listeners in more than 150 countries, becoming the #1 podcast in the U.S., and remaining the #1 religious podcast in the world, even five years later. Through Bible in a Year, God has transformed hearts and minds, and we are deeply grateful to every listener who has made this journey possible. As we continue creating new videos, podcasts, books, and articles each day, we invite you to press play once again on Bible in a Year. Join Fr. Mike, and all of us, in the Ascension App, as we encounter God’s voice and learn to live our lives through the lens of Scripture.

Merry Christmas from Fr. Mike Schmitz and all of us here at Ascension! While we celebrate the birth of Christ, the true reason for this season, we also reflect on the many blessings and joys with the ones we love! Come celebrate with us as Fr. Mike reacts to Christmas movies and shares how each movie reveals a deeply Christian message to all of us!

Fr. Mike shares his favorite — and least favorite — Christmas songs

You may have heard the phrase, "Memento Mori" when it comes to reflecting on death, but how should Christians really view death? Fr. Mike Schmitz explains three common views we may hold about death: Death is the enemy Death is a natural part of life Death is a new birth (but we're not excited about it) However, Fr. Mike explains that all three fall short; death is actually a lover. Our goal should not be a longing for death, but a longing for the One on the other side. How can you long for Heaven and Jesus today?

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!

"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."

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.

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 intelligence. If you come across any AI profiles or questionable videos, please send the link(s) to support@ascensionpress.com so our team can work on getting them removed. Thank you for helping us protect Fr. Mike's name, image, and likeness!

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!

"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, he also advises that if you’re genuinely uncertain about whether you’re in a state of mortal sin, you should go ahead and receive Communion. The reason is that true mortal sin requires three conditions: Grave matter Full knowledge Deliberate consent If you’re honestly unsure, the third condition isn’t fully met — meaning it can’t be a mortal sin.