Grace Thompson
Father Mike Schmitz is a Catholic priest, speaker, author, and podcaster. He is the director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Duluth and the chaplain for the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Father Mike is known for his social media presence, including YouTube videos and his popular podcast Bible in a Year. He has also written several books and appeared in programs for youth and young adults. With his traditional Catholic beliefs, he has gained a large following and become a celebrity of sorts, travelling the country and giving speeches.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | December 14, 1974 |
| Raised | Catholic |
| Ordained | 2003 |
| Director of | Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Duluth |
| Chaplain for | Newman Center at the University of Minnesota-Duluth |
| Host of | "Bible in a Year" and "The Catechism in a Year" |
| Author of | 5 books |
| Notable for | Social media presence, including YouTube videos |
| Views on Abortion | Pro-life |
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What You'll Learn
Father Mike Schmitz's podcasts and YouTube videos
Father Mike Schmitz is an American Catholic priest, speaker, author, and podcaster. He is the host of the widely popular podcasts, "Bible in a Year" and "The Catechism in a Year", produced by Ascension. In 2021, "Bible in a Year" became the #1 podcast in the US and hit 1 million downloads. The podcast consists of 365 daily episodes, in which Fr. Mike reads and discusses sections of the Bible, adding his own commentary and prayer. "The Catechism in a Year", which follows a similar format, debuted in 2023 and also hit #1 on Apple Podcasts.
Fr. Mike is also the host of Ascension Presents, a YouTube series and podcast produced by Ascension Press. The series offers Catholic perspectives on cultural and societal issues. Fr. Mike is well known for his social media presence, including his YouTube videos, which are released weekly on the Ascension Presents YouTube channel. He also streams Sunday Mass to a worldwide audience.
Fr. Mike's podcasts are presented in an easy-to-listen-to format, and his love of God always comes through. He gives great insights, is funny and engaging, and encourages his listeners to be better Catholics and followers of Christ. He breaks down topics in a short, understandable, and relatable way, explaining the 'why's' of things and giving practical advice on how to apply them in daily life.
In addition to his podcasts, Fr. Mike also offers weekly homilies on iTunes, Hallow, and bulldogCatholic.org. He has also appeared in programs for youth and young adults through Ascension Press, as well as through regular short video messages on Ascension Presents.
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His work as chaplain at the University of Minnesota Duluth
Father Mike Schmitz is an American Catholic priest, speaker, author, and podcaster. He serves as the director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Duluth and is the chaplain for the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota Duluth.
Father Mike's work as chaplain at the University of Minnesota Duluth involves bringing the Gospel to UMD and ensuring every Duluth student feels seen, known, and loved. The Duluth Newman Centre focuses on being fed through the Sacraments, as well as the study and knowledge of the Church. Father Mike has helped the centre thrive under his humble and Spirit-filled guidance. He has preached to thousands, both locally and nationally.
Father Mike is also the host of the widely popular podcasts, "Bible in a Year" and "The Catechism in a Year", produced by Ascension. He also offers weekly homilies on iTunes, Hallow, and bulldogCatholic.org. In addition, he has appeared in programs for youth and young adults through Ascension Press and through regular short video messages on Ascension Presents.
Father Mike's work extends beyond his chaplaincy at the University of Minnesota Duluth. He has written five books and has been the host of Ascension Presents, a YouTube series produced by Ascension Press, since 2015. The series offers Catholic perspectives on cultural and societal issues. In 2017, these talks also became available as podcasts. On January 1, 2021, Ascension launched the podcast "The Bible in a Year", which consists of 365 daily episodes reading the entire Bible, including the Deuterocanonical books. The podcast was a huge success, achieving the number one spot in the US in 2021 and going global in 2022. In June 2022, Ascension announced another podcast, "The Catechism in a Year", which premiered in January 2023 and achieved the number one spot on Apple Podcasts.
Father Mike's work as a chaplain and his ability to connect with people, especially youth, have been instrumental in his success in sharing the Catholic faith with a wide audience.
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Father Mike's pro-life stance
Father Mike Schmitz is a Catholic priest, speaker, author, and podcaster. He is the director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Duluth and the Chaplain for the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. He is also a well-known social media personality, with a significant presence on YouTube and podcasts such as "The Bible in a Year."
Father Mike Schmitz is a strong advocate for the pro-life movement, and his stance on the value of human life is a key aspect of his message. As a headline speaker at the March for Life rally in Washington, D.C., in 2022, he emphasised the inherent dignity of every human life, from natural conception to natural death. He shared personal stories, including that of his maternal grandmother, Helen, a nurse who stood up against abortion practices and defended the unborn.
During his speech, Father Mike highlighted the impact of abortion on individuals and society. He acknowledged the difficult choices and heartbreaks that many people experience, expressing that abortion has "broken our hearts." He emphasised that every person matters, and their presence at the march was a testament to their commitment to upholding the value of human life.
Through his popular podcasts and online platforms, Father Mike reaches a wide audience, particularly among the youth. His pro-life stance is communicated through these channels, offering a Catholic perspective on cultural and societal issues. Father Mike's ability to connect with people, coupled with his unwavering commitment to the sanctity of human life, has made him a prominent voice in the pro-life movement.
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His upbringing and religious background
Father Mike Schmitz is an American Catholic priest, speaker, author, and podcaster. He is the fourth of six children, born to Peter Schmitz, an orthopedic surgeon, and Gudrun "Goodie" Schmitz (née Amundsen). He was born in the Oak Park neighborhood of Chicago, where his father attended medical school. The family then moved to Brainerd, Minnesota, where his father practised medicine. Schmitz is of Irish and German descent; his paternal grandmother is from County Cork. He was baptised on March 1, 1975, at the Church of the Assumption, Richfield, Minnesota (south of Minneapolis).
Schmitz was raised Catholic, but his faith was not a priority in his life until he had what he described as an encounter with Christ in Confession at the age of 15. "That really affected me such that I said to myself, 'This is real.' There was an interior recognition that I need this, I need Jesus. It led me down the road to asking God what He wants," Schmitz said in an interview with Legatus magazine.
In 2003, Schmitz was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Duluth, where he serves as the director of youth and young adult ministry. He is also the chaplain for the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Schmitz's Newman Center focuses on helping students be fed through the sacraments and grow in their knowledge of the teachings of the Church. He has preached to thousands of people, both locally and nationally, and has gained a significant following through his popular podcasts and YouTube videos.
Schmitz has been hosting Ascension Presents, a YouTube series produced by Ascension Press, since 2015. The series offers Catholic perspectives on cultural and societal issues. In 2017, these talks were also made available as podcasts. On January 1, 2021, Schmitz and Ascension launched a new podcast, "The Bible in a Year," which consists of 365 daily episodes reading and discussing the entire Bible, including the Deuterocanonical books. The podcast was a massive success, reaching #1 on Apple Podcasts in the US and worldwide.
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Father Mike's views on the role of the Catholic Church
Father Mike Schmitz is an American Catholic priest, speaker, author, and podcaster. He is the director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Duluth and the chaplain for the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Father Mike's views on the role of the Catholic Church are shaped by his understanding of the Church's teachings and his personal experiences.
Father Mike believes that the Catholic Church has a crucial role in guiding and supporting its members in their spiritual journey. He emphasizes the importance of the Sacraments and the Church's teachings as a means to deepen one's relationship with God. Through his preaching and teaching, he aims to inspire and educate others about the love of God and the call of Jesus Christ for saints to be raised up in the Church. Father Mike's hope is that these saints will, in turn, redeem the world for Christ.
In his role as a priest and chaplain, Father Mike focuses on helping individuals grow in their knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith. He emphasizes the importance of studying the Bible and the Catechism, offering resources such as his popular podcast "Bible in a Year" and "The Catechism in a Year". He also addresses relevant cultural and societal issues from a Catholic perspective, such as abortion and same-sex attraction, always emphasizing the intrinsic worth of all human life.
Father Mike recognizes the importance of the Catholic Church in providing a moral compass and guiding individuals towards living a virtuous life. He believes that the Church's teachings offer wisdom and principles that can help navigate complex issues in modern society. For example, he discusses the right to private property and the universal destination of goods, showing how the Church's teachings can provide guidance on social and economic matters.
Additionally, Father Mike acknowledges the role of the Catholic Church in fostering community and connection among its members. He has helped create a sense of community through his podcast, which has led to an online community and a virtual retreat for listeners. In his role as a chaplain, he also focuses on building a community of support and fellowship for the students he serves, ensuring that they feel seen, known, and loved.
Overall, Father Mike Schmitz views the Catholic Church as a vital institution that offers spiritual guidance, moral teachings, and a supportive community for its members. He believes that the Church has a transformative power that can help individuals grow in their faith and make a positive impact on the world.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Father Mike Schmitz is Catholic. He was raised Catholic and is a Catholic priest.
Father Mike Schmitz is a traditional Catholic. He is a staunch pro-life advocate and has said that someone cannot be both Catholic and pro-abortion.
Father Mike Schmitz hosts the popular podcast "The Bible in a Year (With Fr. Mike Schmitz)". The podcast features short scriptural readings and reflections by Father Mike.
Father Mike Schmitz's YouTube channel, Ascension Presents, offers Catholic perspectives on cultural and societal issues. His videos have covered topics including forgiveness, the saints, and relationships.
