The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

Fr. Mike wants everyone to be Catholic, but why? Isn't Catholicism just a list of rules?

Fr. Mike Schmitz explains why the Catholic faith is about far more than simply “following rules.” Instead, it’s about encountering the goodness of God and experiencing the beauty of life with Him through the Catholic faith.

"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea." Matthew 18:6

Fr. Mike Schmitz reminds us that our actions carry weight. He cautions us to remember that someone is always watching, and that we represent something greater than ourselves. Are our actions and behaviors leading others closer to God or closer to sin?

If you're a Christian and you follow Theo Von at all, you've probably heard about his reaction to an audience member calling in and getting vulnerable about his struggles. Theo Von responds by opening up about his ongoing spiritual journey and his struggles in vice and prayer.

But Fr. Mike didn't choose to highlight this moment just because of Theo Von and his journey. Theo Von's vulnerability, honesty, and frankness reveal a lot about the fickleness of the human heart—and the incredible nature of God's mercy.

Today, Fr. Mike wants you to meditate on the revelations Theo Von has had, and how they might reflect some of your own journey towards a closer union with God.

We can fall into two traps when it comes to the body: believing the body is nothing, or believing the body is everything. Both are distortions of the truth.

Fr. Mike Schmitz reminds us that we are both body and soul. Your body is part of who you are, and your soul is part of who you are, so caring for both matter.

At the same time, St. Pope John Paul II warned against the “cult of the body”, the idea that our value is determined by appearance, fitness, or physical perfection.

Your worth is not defined by your body, but caring for your body can be an act of gratitude toward the One who gave it to you. How can you care for your body today?

Struggling to pray?

Fr. Mike Schmitz shows how Ignatian prayer makes prayer simple again by using Scripture and your imagination to enter into the Gospel. Begin by asking the Holy Spirit for help, choosing a short Gospel passage, and slowly immersing yourself in it one sense at a time.

Rather than replacing other prayers, Ignatian prayer deepens them, helping you grow in trust and a more personal relationship with Christ.