The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

Do you know the true story of America's first canonized saint? "Cabrini," a movie from Angel Studios, tells the incredible true story of Mother Cabrini, the first American citizen to become a saint. It is a historical biopic showcasing her selfless service to the Italian immigrant population in the United States. Mother Cabrini's unwavering dedication to the dignity and respect of those in need reminds us to always look out for the ones still seeking a place at the table. Today, Fr. Mike shares his honest review of the film, "Cabrini." The movie is in theaters this weekend. He encourages you to allow the story of this remarkable saint to touch your heart and inspire you to make a difference in the world.

"But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'” - 1 Samuel 16:7 What does God see when he looks into our hearts? Does he see a humble, contrite and broken heart, that he will not spurn? Today Fr. Mike Schmitz shares a word of encouragement from the book of 1 Samuel for how to shape our hearts so that the Lord can be present to them and abide in them.

St. Francis De Sales, often referred to as the "Saint-maker," liked to say, "Be who you are, and be that well." Each of us is called to pursue a life of holiness, a journey that unfolds uniquely for every individual. But comparing ourselves to others and judging ourselves harshly can be tempting. Fr. Mike Schmitz delves into the harmful effects of comparison and invites us instead to focus on embracing our true identity and "paint our own sunrise."

"Vanity of vanities! All is vanity!" Okay maybe not everything, but probably more than you thought. Vanity isn't just looking the mirror too much (although it could be). Vanity isn't just too much plastic surgery (although it could be). Vanity is "the inordinate preoccupation with what other people think." Fr. Mike suggests we look at our lives a little more closely with this new definition—and to look at Jesus for the solution.

When you clean and organize a room, you have to ask one very important question first: what is this room for? Once you can answer that, everything begins falling into place. In order to direct and order your own life, you must ask that same question. What is your life for? What is the primary purpose of the one life you've been given? Fr. Mike proposes that, when you can answer that question, everything in your life will begin falling into place for you. And he might even take a crack at answering that question for you.

We were all born sick. The sickness is Sin. It's not a tendency to sin that we brought upon ourselves... it's something we "caught" from our parents, that was passed down to us by our forefathers. This is Original Sin. ...but wait, how is that even fair?! Today, Fr. Mike reminds you that you are good and you were made good. But we are born with a wound that only our creator can heal.

Don't let anyone trick you into thinking life isn't hard. Experience tells us all that life is truly difficult at times. But even still... haven't you ever just wished it was easier? Today, Fr. Mike proposes an alternative to just wishing things were easier. When life gets difficult, there is only one way forward (hint: it's not just grinning and bearing it).

What if there were no God? What does that idea look like if you follow it to its logical conclusion? It ain't pretty. Today, Fr. Mike shows us that meaning, dignity, and purpose come from the one who created everything. And the good news is that he made you on purpose, for a reason. And you matter.

God commands his beloved people all throughout scripture: "Remember." And this command continues to resound for us today. Remember the good that God has done for you. Remember the times he has delivered you. Remember when you thought you had nothing left but he gave you strength. Today, Fr. Mike beseeches us to remember in the darkness what God has revealed in the light, and to never forget what he's done for us.

Some of your favorite Bible characters were... terrible sometimes. Abraham lied and said Sarah wasn't his wife. Jacob tricked his father into giving him the birthright instead of his brother. And there are plenty of stories that aren't even appropriate enough to make it into a YouTube description. But what is the Bible? A collection of inspiring fables? Or the real story of humanity and God? For Fr. Mike, this is good news (and it should be for you too). Our favorite saints were just like us. And we can yes to God in all of our brokenness just like they did.

The angel Gabriel came to Mary and told her all about how she’d conceive and bear God’s son Jesus, and when she asked how this could be, he elaborated. Wouldn’t that be nice? Wouldn’t it be nice to have an angel show up and tell us what God’s plan for our life is? But... that’s not how it went. The angel actually told her very little. And after Mary’s “fiat” (“Let it be done unto me according to thy word”), what happens? “The angel departed.” That’s it. See, God probably won’t tell you what his plan is for your life. Not all at once. And Fr. Mike is here today to tell you why it’s actually better that way, and how we can follow Mary’s example of trust.

Have you ever heard the song "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day"? Have you listened to the lyrics carefully? It's not exactly the blissful naiveté of "Deck the Halls". It's much more real and raw than that. Today, Fr. Mike is here to remind us that although "hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good-will to men," the truth is that "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; the wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, good-will to men."

This is not the first video on Ascension Presents about how to overcome an addiction to pornography, but it might be one of the simplest and most actionable. Since 2000, Covenant Eyes has been a leader in the online accountability space. They are the #1 app for helping people find freedom from pornography. Their accountability software monitors images on device screens and sends a report to a trusted friend (ally) who holds you accountable for both your online and offline choices. Today, Fr. Mike asks you to make this the next step towards freedom for you or someone you love: covenanteyes.sjv.io/rQBEmv

If it feels like God isn't answering your prayers, that can be disheartening. But it can also be devastating. Today, Fr. Mike offers the good word that your God is your loving Father who wants to give you good things. But he also offers the reminder that God is not a genie over which we have control.

Are angels real? Why did God make them? What do guardian angels do? Do I have one? Does it have a name? Can I name it? ...All these questions and more answered today by Fr. Mike Schmitz.

"I don't... think... I'm prideful...?" Great! If you examine your actions and intentions and you don't detect any obvious pride, that's a wonderful thing. But as each one of us grows deeper in relationship with Jesus, he will reveal ever more nuanced ways that pride can sneak its way into our lives, giving us opportunities to reveal those places to Jesus and letting him perfect us. Today, Fr. Mike uncovers some of those sneaky areas of our life where pride can burrow itself and cause major problems.

If you've ever planned to become so holy that you don't need God's help anymore, then this video is for you. Self-reliance is a virtue lauded by modern society in the west. But not only does Jesus warn against it, self-reliance... just... doesn't even work. Today, Fr. Mike proposes an alternative that will change your life. Spoiler: it involves relying on someone else...

Free will is an incredible gift from God that we often underestimate. We truly get to make a choice in every decision that we come across—even the smallest decisions. But guess what we DON'T get to choose? The consequences. Today, Fr. Mike reminds us that every action has a consequence built into it. So, if you want a certain result, make a choice. If you choose sin, you get sin. If you choose God, you get God. The choice... is yours.

Do you commit the same sins over and over again? Does it feel like a bad movie that you’re stuck watching, with the same sad script playing over and over again? Rewrite it. Rewrite the script. Today, Fr. Mike gives us some novel ideas for steering hard out of the “grooves” of sin we've worn deep into the bedrock of our daily lives.

Some people pour through comic books like they're devotional works, following the lives of superheroes like some study the lives of the saints. In this redux from the archives, Fr. Mike interviews sacred artist Neilson Carlin about the crossover between comics books and sacred art, and how the desire to emulate superheroes is truly fulfilled when we follow the saints to Christ. Be sure to check out Neilson's fine artwork (pun intended) at https://www.neilsoncarlin.com/