BONUS: Pray with Fr. Mike

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

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

Together, with Fr. Mike, we continue our examination of the sacrament of Reconciliation. Specifically, we explore the origins and structure of the sacrament that we use today. Fr. Mike emphasizes that although some of the ways we celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation have cha ... Show More

Need more advice on prayer? Fr. Mike has you covered. 

Are you getting ready to pray the Rosary in a Year? In this special pre-launch episode, Fr. Mark-Mary is joined by Fr. Mike Schmitz to explore why prayer is so essential to our relationship with God and how we can truly pray instead of simply saying the words of the Rosary. Fr. M ... Show More

What is the Rosary in a Year Podcast? Fr. Mark-Mary is joined by Fr. Mike Schmitz to discuss The Rosary in a Year Podcast and share their personal experiences with the Rosary. Fr. Mike and Fr. Mark-Mary explore the relationships between Rosary in a Year, Bible in a Year, and Cate ... Show More

<p>This week Fr. Michael talks about how to pray and providing suggestions to friends who ask for help in praying. He talks about how prayer methods (rote prayer, contemplative prayer, etc.) work differently for each person, but ultimately how important prayer is to our daily liv ... Show More

Whether you're cultivating a life of prayer with Jesus for the first time or you're trying to reignite that fire in your soul, the breadth of prayer advice can be dizzyingly overwhelming. If you're open to it, today, Fr. Mike has one more prayer to try out: T-A-R. Tell the Lord w ... Show More

In preparation for reading the Bible in a Year, Fr. Mike shares five tips for reading scripture that will help you better understand the Word of God. Before we begin this year-long journey, don't forget to get the 365 day reading plan! Text CATHOLICBIBLE to 33-777 or visit ascens ... Show More

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 ... Show More

As we read Exodus 29, Leviticus 21, and Psalm 119:121-176, Fr. Mike points out how God calls broken and imperfect men to his holy priesthood, and asks each of us to say a special prayer for priests today. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Pleas ... Show More