logo
episode-header-image
Sep 6
7m 3s

How Do People Become Saints? (Fr. Mike E...

ASCENSION
About this episode

How does someone become a saint? What steps and criteria does the Catholic Church follow in the canonization process?

Fr. Mike unpacks the journey to sainthood and reminds us that holiness begins with one simple thing, saying “yes” to God.

Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

Up next
Nov 20
Maybe I Should Have Said Something…
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. 
6m 22s
Nov 13
Addressing the FAKE Videos of Me (w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz)
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 ... Show More
9m 11s
Nov 6
Sin, Emotions and Virtue Explained (w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz)
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 pu ... Show More
7 m
Recommended Episodes
May 2025
When Leadership Fails, What Can the Faithful Do?
How can the Church be renewed from within? How do we faithfully follow our conscience while acting with prudence? Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle explore how saints, popes, and everyday men and women—including themselves—have embraced the real work of the Kingdom, responding to t ... Show More
39m 5s
Jul 2024
How to Save the Soul - St. Theophan the Recluse
<p>St. Theophan&#39;s answer to arguably the most fundamental question for each man: How can I save my soul?</p> <p> &quot;What does one say to the person who asks: &#39;How can I save my soul?&#39; This: Repent, and being strengthened by the power of grace in the Holy Mysteries, ... Show More
5m 12s
Sep 22
The Orthodox Path to Becoming Like God
<p>What is virtue according to the Orthodox Church—and how is it radically different from secular morality? In this eye-opening talk, we explore how virtue is not merely self-improvement or moral behavior, but participation in the divine energies of God. Drawing on the teachings ... Show More
15m 10s
Aug 2024
Day 218: Summary of Holy Orders (2024)
Together, with Fr. Mike, we reach the conclusion and “nugget day” for the section on the sacrament of Holy Orders. Fr. Mike reiterates that all three degrees of the sacrament are a longed for element of the “priestly people.” They are those called to go before God and before his ... Show More
15m 8s
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
Apr 2025
The Passing of a Pope: Rites, Rituals, and Conclave Explained
What happens when a Pope passes away? In this sepcial bonus episode, Dr. Sri delves into the ancient and solemn traditions that take place when a Pope dies. Learn about the role of the Vatican Chamberlain, the centuries-old funeral rites, and the process leading up to the conclav ... Show More
21m 3s
Apr 2025
BONUS: All About Saints of the First Monasteries (with Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Boniface Hicks)
A new "Catholic Classics" season with Fr. Mike Schmitz is coming this fall! In the meantime, Ascension has released a new book in the Catholic Classics series titled "Saints of the First Monasteries." Fr. Boniface Hicks, a contributor to the book, joins Fr. Gregory Pine to explor ... Show More
25m 18s
Jan 2025
Day 10: The Apostolic Tradition (2025)
The Gospel was handed on in two ways — orally and in writing. Both Scripture and Tradition are sources of Divine Revelation. Fr. Mike describes how the first apostles left bishops as their successors, passing down to them their teaching authority, and this apostolic succession is ... Show More
16m 48s
Jan 2025
Day 1: To Know and Love God (2025)
Welcome to Day 1 of The Catechism in a Year! Today, we begin our journey with Fr. Mike through the Catechism from the very beginning: the Prologue. The Catechism tackles some big questions right out of the gate. Why did God make us? How can we know him? How do we help others unde ... Show More
16m 27s