logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2018
9m 22s

Why Should I Confess My Sins to a Priest...

ASCENSION
About this episode

If you’ve ever been in a conversation where you had to defend the Catholic Faith, people have probably asked you this question. It can be a tough one to answer, but Fr. Mike lays out many reasons why confessing our sins to a priest makes perfect sense. Confession isn’t a man-made tradition of the Church but rather a valuable gift given by God and rooted in Scripture.

Fr. Mike is also a presenter in these faith formation programs from Ascension:

Belonging: Baptism in the Family of God
Chosen: This is Your Catholic Faith
Altaration: The Mystery of the Mass Revealed
YOU: Life, Love, and the Theology of the Body

Get 18 of Fr. Mike’s best Ascension Presents videos in this exclusive DVD from Ascension: Ascension Presents … Fr. Mike Schmitz

Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

Up next
Yesterday
How Can You Be Sure of God’s Will?
How often does it feel like certainty about the will of God is elusive in the midst of discernment? Drawing from the wisdom of Mother Angelica, Father Mike reflects on what it truly means to walk by faith and trust that God's will is often best seen in the rearview mirror. Ascens ... Show More
8m 38s
Oct 22
God Is Asking You to Do Something Today
Not all of the families in the tribe of Levi were called to offer the sacrifice as priests, but all had important roles to play in the worship of God. Likewise, no matter how unseen or small your God-given task may seem, faithfully fulfilling it is essential for the body of Chris ... Show More
7m 40s
Oct 15
4 Tips If Prayer Is Hard Right Now
Feeling like you are just going through the motions in your relationship with God? Father Mike unpacks ways you can still approach God during periods of spiritual dryness with some practical steps to take with you into prayer. 
7m 36s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2023
Day 202: How Confession Heals
What happens to us when we go to Confession? Fr. Mike explains the powerful ways the Sacrament of Reconciliation spiritually restores and perfects us. We also learn about the eternal and temporal consequences of sin, and finally, Fr. Mike discusses the four aspects to an indulgen ... Show More
24m 36s
Jul 2024
Day 201: The Confessor’s Role (2024)
If God is the one who forgives our sins, why do we need priests as confessors? The Catechism teaches us today about the role of the priest as the minister of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We learn that priests ought to be "servants" of God's mercy rather than "masters" of God' ... Show More
16m 20s
Jul 2024
Day 200: The Confession of Sins (2024)
When we confess our sins, we’re not telling God something he doesn’t know; we’re giving God access to something he doesn’t have: permission to heal our wounds. Today we learn why the act of confessing our sins is an essential part of the sacrament of Reconciliation. Fr. Mike also ... Show More
23m 51s
Jul 2024
Day 202: How Confession Heals (2024)
What happens to us when we go to Confession? Fr. Mike explains the powerful ways the Sacrament of Reconciliation spiritually restores and perfects us. We also learn about the eternal and temporal consequences of sin, and finally, Fr. Mike discusses the four aspects to an indulgen ... Show More
24m 36s
Apr 2021
The Power of Confession
When our prayer is dry and something seems off within us, it might be time to go to confession. Today, Dr. Sri reminds us of the power of confession, and helps us to understand this sacrament in the context of God’s love so we can encounter God’s mercy without fear and shame. Sn ... Show More
22m 14s
Mar 2025
Sin & Scrupulosity [Ep. 35]
<p>We're blessed to see so many people embracing the sacrament of confession. However, we've noticed a growing trend — individuals confessing frequently, sometimes weekly, without being in mortal or even venial sin. In this episode, we dive deep into common misconceptions about s ... Show More
1h 2m
Jul 2024
Day 204: Summary of Sacrament of Reconciliation (2024)
In today’s nugget day, Fr. Mike reviews the major themes of the sacrament of Reconciliation. Fr. Mike emphasizes the six spiritual effects of this sacrament and reminds us of the great gift of Confession because, as the Catechism states, “to the eyes of faith, no evil is graver t ... Show More
12m 57s
Jul 2025
Why We Need Rituals and Sacraments
If we want to encounter God, do we really need rituals and sacraments? Dr. Sri delves into the origins and purpose of the seven sacraments in the Catholic Church, explaining their Biblical basis and the incredible graces they confer. Snippet from the Show "The sacraments, institu ... Show More
25m 2s
Dec 2021
Sacramentals vs. Superstitions, and Getting to Know God
Fr. Josh answers questions about how to properly use sacramentals and how to grow in relationship with God when prayer is tough. Snippet From the Show “Catholics sometimes approach sacramentals as if they are magic or having power in and of themselves, instead of approaching them ... Show More
18m 42s
Sep 2022
Why Deny Yourself?
Why does Christ ask us to “deny ourselves?” Within Catholicism, there is a fair amount of emphasis on penance and giving things up. Using wisdom from St. John of the Cross, Dr. Sri explains why we must “deny ourselves” in order to gain what we truly desire. Snippet from the Show ... Show More
22m 51s