Ascension Presents

263 posts
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Why Be Catholic?

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

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A Complete Guide to Pope Leo’s First Encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas (w/ Fr. Gregory Pine)

Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas (“Magnificent Humanity”), reflects on the dignity of the human person in...

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The "Preferential Option for the Poor" Explained

The "Preferential Option for the Poor" is a Catholic social teaching on how the Bible gives priority to the well-being of the...

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Do Wives Have to Be Submissive?

"Wives, be subject to your husbands, as to the Lord." (Ephesians  5:22 )  Woah! Come again? On the list of controversial...

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4 Keys to Understanding The Feminine Genius

Have you ever heard of the concept, "The Feminine Genius?" Did you know that Pope St. John Paul II wrote numerous books and...

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How Powerful is the Devil?

"Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7 Are you giving too much power to the devil? Dave VanVickle shares how...

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The #1 Mistake Everyone Makes When Evangelizing

Does evangelization intimidate you? Do you worry you won’t have the right words or that the moment just won’t be right? Dave...

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I Thought I’d Get Married But… My Vocation Story (w/ Fr. Mark-Mary Ames)

What do a college party, In-N-Out, and St. Maximilian Kolbe have in common? They’re all unexpected moments woven into Fr....

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Trusting God When Nothing Works

We all know and love The Chosen, but many of us don’t know the struggles, setbacks, and even failures that led to its creation....

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When Your Desires and God’s Plans Are Different

Just because you desire something deeply doesn’t mean it’s God’s plans for you. Sometimes our desires and God’s will are...

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You’re Not Unhappy…You’re Misunderstanding Happiness

Why does life feel empty — even when everything seems “fine”? Fr. Mike Schmitz and Dr. Arthur Brooks, Harvard professor and...

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What Most Men Are Missing

What matters more than looking good and feeling good is that we are in fact good. How are our daily choices impacting the...

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The One Thing Every Relationship Needs

Anyone can say, "I love you", but how do you know they truly mean it?  While the word, love, is thrown around so often its easy...

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How to Keep Your Kids Catholic

"I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do...

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4 Unexpected Ways to Share Your Faith

Can people tell you’re a Christian just by looking at you?  We’re all called to live differently, set apart for the Lord, but...

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Your Fasting is Doing More Than You Think

Our lives are so full of noise, distractions, constant activity. But we weren’t made to be filled with these things.  Fr. Mike...

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The Secret to a Meaningful Lent (and a Meaningful Life)

Are you ready to start Lent strong this Ash Wednesday? In this conversation, Fr. Columba Jordan is joined by Dr. Arthur Brooks...

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God Wants You to Rest

When was the last time you took a real break? Because of the world’s rapid pace, we can easily think of rest as a waste of time...

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Acedia: The Noonday Devil

Fr. Mike Schmitz delivers a timely video in the midst of our Lenten journey as he explores the ancient concept of acedia. This...

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Focus on These Virtues If You Want to Grow Closer to Christ

Can you guess what 3 virtues are needed to grow close to God?  In his book, “Introduction to the Devout Life”, St. Francis de...

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What Does it Mean to be a Man of Virtue?

The Church has a very high bar when it comes to virtue. In fact, to be a man of virtue, you have to be a man of excellence. ...

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How to Make a Resolution to Combat Vice and Grow in Virtue

If you've got a question for Fr. Josh, comment below with #AskFrJosh or share a Glory Story of how God has worked in your...

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How to Offer Everything to God this Lent

This Lent, you don’t have to wait until you feel ready, strong, or spiritual enough. God is ready to meet you right where you...

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The Real Reason Modern Life Feels Empty w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz and Dr. Arthur Brooks

Why does life feel empty—even when everything seems “fine”?  Fr. Mike Schmitz and Dr. Arthur Brooks explore why modern life...

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Your Questions About Cremation and Burial: Answered

Can I be cremated? Is it okay to donate my body to science? What about the relics of Saints, they aren't buried in the ground? ...

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From Protestant Pastor to Catholic Bible Scholar: The Jeff Cavins and Fr. Mike Schmitz Interview

What happens when a deep love for Scripture leads someone away from the Catholic Church—and then all the way back? In this...

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How Certain Is Your Faith?

Is your faith certain enough to stand up against the doubts and different ideas out there? Fr. Mike shares insight about...

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Doubting God, Scrupulosity, and Spiritual Tiredness

In striving to live the faith everyday there will be many challenges, such as doubting God, scrupulosity about sin, and just...

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What If the Problem Isn’t Life… But the Way You’re Living It?

Why does life feel empty—even when everything seems “fine”? Fr. Mike Schmitz and Dr. Arthur Brooks explore why modern life...

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Faith is Not Something You Can Lose

Sure, there are times when it's just hard to believe what the Catholic Faith tells us, but when someone says "I'm losing my...

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5 Ways to Fight Scrupulosity and Live in the Father's Love

Scrupulosity is a psychological disorder primarily characterized by pathological guilt or obsession associated with moral or...

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Why You're Telling Little Lies and How to Stop

You probably don't outright lie on a regular basis. But, do you exaggerate? Do you give half truths sometimes, or leave things...

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You need to know these symptoms - to get the right treatment

When should you turn to a priest, a mental health professional, or even an exorcist? Sr. Josephine Garrett offers practical...

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Ditch the Resolution – Focus on This Instead

“Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He (Jesus) woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be...

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Wrestling with God in Scripture

Drawing from The Bible in a Year, Fr. Mike offers powerful insights on what it looks like to struggle faithfully with God and...

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God’s Not Asking You to Be Successful

"God does not ask us to be successful, He asks us to be faithful." - St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Fr. Mike Schmitz reflects...

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The Reason God Hasn’t Answered Your Prayer Yet

Do you trust God's timing? Fr. Mike Schmitz reminds us that God is never late (and never early). We can trust whole heartedly...

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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...

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The Science and Spirituality of Waiting Well | Fr. Mike Schmitz and Dr. Arthur Brooks

In this conversation, Fr. Mike sits down with Harvard professor, bestselling author, and devoted Catholic Dr. Arthur...

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When the Suffering Doesn’t End

In this conversation, Fr. Mike Schmitz talks with Fr. Boniface Hicks, O.S.B. about one of the hardest realities of life:...

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Why Total Surrender Is the Only Way to Heaven

What does it really mean to wait for Heaven? And how do we live that waiting well? In this conversation, Fr. Mike Schmitz...

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Sin, Emotions and Virtue Explained

Can your feelings be sinful?  Fr. Mike Schmitz reminds us that "sin and virtue do not reside in the emotions, they reside in...

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The Most Heartbreaking Flight of My Life

What do you say when someone dies? How do you help those in their suffering?  Jeff Cavins shares an emotional story of sitting...

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Called to Use Your Gifts for Good w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz and Chris Green

What does it look like to turn a paycheck into purpose? In this episode of Called, Father Mike Schmitz sits down with Chris...

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The Liturgy of the Hours Explained

You may have heard of the Liturgy of the Hours, but not quite like this.  Fr. Mike Schmitz shares why this ancient prayer holds...

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How Being a Christian Will Affect Your Life

As we discover the lives of the saints, it seems they endured quite a bit of suffering before receiving their eternal reward....

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The Virtue That Takes Virtue to the Next Level

Fr. Mike introduces us to the virtue that makes other virtues excellent: magnanimity.  If someone asked you what the most...

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How to Question Your Faith Well

The Catholic Church loves questions, but are we asking them for the right reasons?  One of our Doctors of the Church,...

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Am I Working Out Too Much?

Psalm 115 says, “Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to your name be the glory.” Bobby Angel applies this wisdom to the...

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This is the Christian Solution to Vanity

Vanity is not what many people think it is. It can come in many forms, and is not necessarily an infatuation with...

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How to Be Okay with Silence

Does silence ever feel uncomfortable? Do you fill the quiet with TV, music, or endless scrolling?  Fr. Mike explains why...

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Pray This Before Going to Bed

Do you ever feel like daily prayer is hard to fit into your routine?  Fr. Mark-Mary introduces a simple four-step acronym —...

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How to Hear God’s Voice

Struggling to hear God’s voice?  Fr. Mark-Mary reminds us that while God never changes, He speaks to each of us in unique ways....

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Fr. Mike’s Tips for Praying as a Busy Person

How do I fit in prayer with my busy schedule? Fr. Mike shares some practical advice for fitting in prayer when you feel you...

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Saying Yes to a Life You Did Not Plan

Who is orchestrating your life? If it's God—and not you—what will you say to him? Fr. Mike suggests trying "yes." Whether life...

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What to Do with My Loneliness

Loneliness is real and loneliness is really difficult. How do I handle feeling alone and what does my loneliness mean? Fr....

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Wanting to Fix People

We have a tendency to want to fix the people we love. While delighting in all their good traits, we think, “If only they didn’t...

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Did Jesus Really Warn Against Repetition in Prayer?

"In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words." Matthew 6:7 (New...

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Finding Balance in Christian Life

Balance in life is something many of us strive for while not having much insight on how to achieve it. In this video, Fr. Mike...

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God Is Asking You to Give Him Everything

How do we give God everything? It's obvious from the stories throughout the Scriptures that God is asking us to give him...

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Feeling Nothing Spiritually? Here’s the First Step Back

Do you feel disconnected from God - like the fire you once had is gone, or maybe it was never there to begin with? You're not...

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How I Handle Haters

Do you struggle to handle criticism well? Do you get defensive even when you know there’s room to grow?  Fr. Mike Schmitz...

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Why Is God Letting This Happen?

Sometimes, when we're frustrated with the world and how things are going, deep down, we're actually frustrated with God. Why...

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How Satan Uses Discouragement to Keep You Away from God

What does discouragement look like? What should you do when discouragement strikes?  Today Fr. Mark-Mary shares how to overcome...

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Family brings out the worst in you (so that God can heal it)

Fr. Mike explains how being at home with our family is one of God’s favorite ways to make us holy—if we are honest about the...

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What To Do When You Feel Like God’s Not Speaking to You

Do you struggle to get much out of prayer? Do you feel like God’s not speaking to you? Today, Fr. Mike Schmitz invites us to...

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Is It OK to Hate Someone?

What do we need to do as Catholic Christians to convey that the message of our religion is one of pure love? So often we...

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How to Love Your Difficult Parents

The Ten Commandments tell us to “honor thy mother and father”, but what does that really look like? Especially for adult...

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Is God Glad You Exist?

Many of us might think that creation is just a “set you and forget you thing”, but what we may not realize is that God is...

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Who Is Writing Your Story?

Father Mark Mary and Sister Mariae Agnus Dei invite us to let Love write our story.

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Liturgy and the Garden of Eden: How Are They Connected?

What does the Liturgy have to do with the Garden of Eden? How can art draw us into the beauty of God and His creation? Fr....

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How to See God in Your Life

Do you find it hard to sense God’s presence in your daily life? Does it feel like there’s a gap between your everyday...

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Does God Hear My Prayers If I'm Stuck in Sin?

"Do you ever feel like you're too bad to pray? Like the sins in your life discount you from reaching God's ears? Is intimacy...

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Raise Your Expectations: How Saints Live Differently

Fr. Mark-Mary talks about how to live your best life (but in a Catholic way).  When we read the lives of the saints, we could...

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The True, the Good and the Beautiful: A Lesson in Human Flourishing

Today Fr. Mike unpacks the three Transcendentals; Truth, Goodness, and Beauty, and why and how our hearts can be misled by...

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How to See God in Everything, Every Day (and How to Respond)

“It is good to guard the secret of a king, but gloriously to reveal the works of God, and with fitting honor to acknowledge...

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Literature, Simplicity, and the Power of the Story w/ Haley Stewart

This week Matt and Jared talk with Haley Stewart, who is a writer, speaker, podcaster, and Catholic convert. Haley shares about...

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Natural Talents vs. Supernatural Charisms

God gifts everyone with beautiful talents. We don't all have the same talents, which gives each of us a unique place in God's...

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What Pentecost Means for the Christian Life

The season of Pentecost celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and the birth of the Church. But what does...

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How My Brother's Death Brought Me to the Catholic Faith (feat. Debbie Herbeck)

Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask...

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We’ve Got a New Pope! What’s Next?

Habemus Papam! We have a Pope — Pope Leo XIV! On this joyous occasion, Fr. Mike encourages us to welcome Pope Leo XIV with open...

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How to Love Someone You Don’t Like

Some folks maintain the notion that Jesus said we "have to love people" but "don't have to like them". Besides the fact that...

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How the Devil Slowly Leads You into Sin (Without You Noticing)

As we journey further into Lent, let’s talk about how we can escape the devil’s grasp.  It's no secret that sin is prevalent in...

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Does Your Sin Define You?

Do you feel marked by your sin? Do you struggle to believe you are not just the sum of your mistakes?  Today Fr. Mark-Mary...

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What we’re missing by not being in Scripture

When you think of holiness, what comes to mind? Is it a saint who has never stumbled? Does the idea of holiness feel out of...

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We’ve All Forgotten How to Celebrate

We have a cause to celebrate. But we’re really bad at celebrating. Today, Fr. Mark-Mary teaches us how we can celebrate the...

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How to Celebrate the Jubilee Year and the Easter Season

You may have heard that 2025 is the Jubilee Year and that the Easter season extends beyond Easter Sunday—but what do these...

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What You Have NOT Been Told About Baptism

Are you a child of the light or a child of darkness?  Today, Fr. Mike reminds us that, though we are all born with original...

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How to Pray the Litany of Humility

We've all heard of the nearly infamous prayer, the Litany of Humility, before. But is there a danger in praying this litany...

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Turn off the Internet, God Wants To Talk to You

Theophany: God wants to reveal Himself to each one of us. But our constant addiction to the pleasure chemicals of dopamine and...

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Hopeless?

Are you feeling hopeless?  Fr. Mike offers insights on how to combat despair. If you feel like you've tried everything, see no...

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The Perfect Disposition for Holy Week

How should we approach the beginning of Holy Week? Fr. Mark-Mary explains that following Mary's example is the most powerful...

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Make Christ the King of Your Heart This Holy Week

As we move from Palm Sunday into the most holy week of the Christian Calendar, Bobby urges us to ask ourselves: Is Christ the...

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The Holy Sepulchre

Jeff Cavins continues his journeys in Israel at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the place of Jesus’ crucifixion and...

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Cross the Finish Line Strong This Lent

Lent is almost over.... 40 days of fasting, prayer, and sacrifice have passed in the blink of an eye. How do you feel? Are you...

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This Type of Fast Could Change Your Life

Are you reverently preparing to receive Holy Communion and the Word of God? Besides fasting from food, are you paying attention...

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Give Up Control for Lent

The meaning of the word sacrifice is to "make holy." This Lent we are offered the opportunity to let go of our control and...

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4 Reasons for Fasting

Why do we fast? Fr. Mike explains that it’s not about getting more love and attention from God. Fasting is about self-mastery,...

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Rending Our Hearts Through Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving

Today, Fr. Mark-Mary guides us through discernment for how to hear the Father's voice more clearly this Lent through prayer,...

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The Fear That’s Keeping You from Prayer (And How to Overcome It)

Are you afraid to approach God? Jesus says, "When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the...

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A Practical Lenten Challenge: Become an Instrument of Reconciliation

"Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift...

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Did God Abandon You?

“My God, my God why have you abandoned me?” Psalm 22:1 Are you praying everyday but still suffering? Are you doing all the...

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Journey Through Lent with Fr. Boniface Hicks

Return to the heart of Jesus this Lent with Fr. Boniface Hicks, OSB: Renowned Spiritual Director, Author, and Retreat Master....

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A Better Way to Choose Something for Lent

Do your Lenten practices feel arbitrary? Do your penances seem ineffective? If you're feeling this way, you might be wondering,...

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Ways to Make People Appreciate You

Do you have anyone your life that consistently makes you feel seen, known, and loved? It's not magic—it's heroic charity, and...

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“What’s So Different About These Christians?” — 3 Evangelization Hacks You Can Use Today

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Essential Catholic Relationship Advice for Couples

Times are tough for defenders of traditional marriage, but in this video Christopher West makes the case for why we may live...

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The Meaning of "I Love You"

Fr. Mike breaks down the real definition of love, which is willing the good of the other for the other. He goes further than...

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How Can I Know That It's Actually God's Voice?

How can you discern if the voice you're hearing is genuinely God's? How can you be sure it isn't just your own thoughts...

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How to Start Somewhere (Because You Have to Start Somewhere)

If you've tried and tried but you keep falling down and you're tired of starting over... this video is for you.  Fr....

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What This Jubilee Year 2025 Means for You

2025 is a Jubilee Year of Hope for the entire Catholic Church, and Fr. Mark-Mary has all of the answers to your...

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What People Forget About Our Lady of Guadalupe

The apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary that came to be known as Our Lady of Guadalupe was a miracle. The Castilian...

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5 Must-Read Books About Mary, Our Blessed Mother

If you want to get to know the mother of your Saviour better, look no further. Fr. Mark-Mary has 5 books about Mary that...

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The Unpleasant Ancestors of Christmas

Tamar, Judah, Solomon, and company are not exactly the ideal ancestors of the King of Kings; but in this video, Fr. Mike...

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Fr. Mike Schmitz and Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT Explain Healing in the Gaze of Jesus

I n this 3-part series filmed backstage at the 2024 Good News Conference, Fr. Mike sits down with 3 special guests to...

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Bishop Robert Barron and Fr. Mike Schmitz Unveil the Power of the Sacraments

In this 3-part series filmed backstage at the 2024 Good News Conference, Fr. Mike sits down with 3 special guests to...

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You Can Be a Saint. Here’s How.

The Church is filled with wonderful examples of holiness and sainthood, and they can act as guides for us on our way...

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What is Stopping You from Becoming a Saint?

It may seem too difficult, or even unrealistic, to be a saint today. The reality is though, a saint is simply someone who...

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Do Catholics Worship Saints?

Father Mike Schmitz wants to address some confusion regarding Catholics’ veneration of saints. In this video, he explains...

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The Do’s and Don’ts of Devotion to the Saints

Devotion to the Saints—those who have gone before us into heaven—is a worthy endeavor. We can be encouraged by their...

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What to Do About Intrusive Thoughts

Some people brush off intrusive thoughts. But others are haunted by them. If you're having serious issues with intrusive...

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Fr. Mike Schmitz and Msgr. James Shea Explain How to Build a Life of Prayer

In this 3-part series, Fr. Mike sits down with 3 special guests to discuss prayer, the sacraments, and how to prepare...

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An Invitation to Come Home this Christmas

Christmas is here! It's a season full of homecomings and reunions with family and friends. Today, Fr. Mark-Mary invites...

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How to Celebrate Christmas When Life Is Hard

Have you ever heard the song "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day"? Have you listened to the lyrics carefully? It's not...

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What Is God's Will for My Life? Discernment 101 (feat. Br. Lawrence)

How do I know what God wants for my life? How do I make decisions that I can feel certain are within his will for me?...

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How Can I Know God's Will?

Do you feel called to marriage? Maybe you felt a call to become a priest or religious? But what if you are not accepted...

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How the Eucharist Changed My Life

Why do less than 30% of Catholics believe in the Real Presence? It seems like many have forgotten that Jesus gave his...

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Why Forgiven Sins Still Have Consequences

We can be 100% confident that when we confess our sins, we receive complete and total forgiveness from God. However, God...

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"I Go to Mass, but it Feels Like Nothing Changes"

The sacraments that Christ gave his church are powerful. They are life changing. But... they are not magic. Jesus...

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Confession is a Place of Victory

What is the priest thinking when you make your confession?  Fr. Mike reveals the answer in this video from The 99, a...

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Do I Need to Go to Confession?

It’s an age old question; “Why do I have to confess my sins to a priest?”  Today Fr. Mike encourages and challenges...

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Making a Good Confession

If you have ever wondered how to make a good confession, Fr. Mike Schmitz has some solid advice for you. He points out...

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If You’re Not Feeling Loved

If you’re not feeling loved by someone you love, take courage in the story of Leah in Genesis.  Jacob, Leah’s husband,...

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Politics vs. Principles

Is there any hope for unity in the United States of America?  Fr. Mike gives a resounding "yes".  But not over politics...

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How to be a Steward

Which is better, being an owner or a steward? Fr. Mike reminds us of the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14 -30) as...

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Fr. Mike Schmitz Answers the Internet's Top Questions About Priests

Fr. Mike is at the library of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, and he’s answering the most asked questions...

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How to Form Godly Friendships

Do you struggle to find and maintain good Christian friendships? Do you feel starved for a community that supports your...

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Don't Have Any Friends?

We often use the term “friend” loosely, introducing casual acquaintances as “My friends Lucy and John.” But what is...

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Saying Goodbye, Starting Over, and Transitioning

Change is always hard. Transitions in life are difficult. Goodbyes are never easy. Endings are rarely joyful. But today,...

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If You're Tired of Needing God

Sometimes life brings us down. Difficult situations cause us to become discouraged. This is natural (and inevitable)....

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When a Miracle Doesn't Happen

Fr. Mike Schmitz delves deeply into the profound significance of the leper's words to Jesus: 'If you will it, you can...

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What's My Vocation?

“What should I do with my life?”  It’s a question on many hearts, maybe even our own. In this video, Father Mike...

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Does God Want to Work Miracles Today? We Think So.

Are we really supposed to believe in miracles? Do we need to have a special faith to see them? Do they even happen...

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Loneliness After College - Facing the Quarter Life Crisis

Father Mike Schmitz examines the loneliness and depression that often accompanies young adults after graduation. Father...

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Straightforward Career and Job Advice

It’s all too common for us to think of our work as either the thing that gives us our identity, or something to be avoided at...

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Nunc Coepi: Breaking Agreements

The first step is to stop. Once we realize that we have to repent...that we are called to "change our minds"...the first step...

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How to Bring Order to Your Life

When you clean and organize a room, you have to ask one very important question first: what is this room for? Once you can...

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This Is What It Means to Encounter Jesus

An encounter with Jesus is important, but it’s difficult to wrap our head around such an abstract concept. Fr. Mark-Mary...

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How Do I Know If I've Actually Encountered Jesus?

How do you know you've had an encounter with God? Sometimes it's hard to tell, especially if you were raised in the Faith. ...

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How to Celebrate Easter Well

He is Risen! Indeed He is truly Risen!  Today Fr. Mark-Mary challenges us to lean into the immense gift of this Easter season...

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Sneaky Ways to Be Prideful (and How to Stop)

"I don't... think... I'm prideful...?" Great! If you examine your actions and intentions and you don't detect any obvious...

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The Value of Silence

God never ignores us, but sometimes we simply can’t hear him due to all of the distractions in our life. That’s why Fr. Mike...

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Do You Want to Be Well?

Jesus asked the crippled man at the pool of Bethesda, “Do you want to be well?” It seems like an obvious question, but—as Fr....

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A Daily Prayer to Guide You Through Lent

Are you looking to embark on a deeper spiritual journey this Lent in your daily prayer life? Inspired by desert spirituality,...

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3 Ways to Be Intentional This Lent

Fr. Mark-Mary shares 3 ways to be more intentional this Lent. These tips are also included in his new book, Habits for...

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How to Build Your Prayer Life This Year

Father Mark-Mary shares a goal-setting technique that helped make Google...well, Google. But instead of using this goal-setting...

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What Are Some Creative Ways to Enter Into Lent?

 Ask Fr. Josh is the question and answer show to help you navigate life when our Catholic Faith doesn’t give an easy...

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The Real Answer to Why God Allows Suffering

Playing a video game called Injustice helps Fr. Mike explain the real answer to why God allows suffering. In Injustice,...

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How to Live This Lent for Others

Lent is about transformation, but that transformation will be incomplete if we make it about ourselves. Instead of aiming for...

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How to Do Lent Differently This Year

Fr. Mark-Mary gives some practical advice on how to do Lent differently this year. It begins with having the right mindset....

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Picking a Thing for Lent

Fr. Mike knows the tricks we can play on ourselves when it comes to picking something for Lent. So he gives a straightforward...

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Are You Busy Doing the Right Things?

In the spiritual life, it’s difficult to know whether striving to do God’s will or just abiding in him is better. But why can’t...

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“What’s So Different About These Christians?” — 3 Evangelization Hacks You Can Use Today

To seriously engage in evangelization we have to be provocative. We have to get people to ask why we’re not like everyone else,...

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Struggling to Share the Gospel? Here's What's Missing

This video is an excerpt from, "The 99, A New System for Evangelization." To learn more about this amazing resource, visit:...

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How to Share the Gospel (And How Not To)

If you want to know how to share the gospel, it’s important to have the love and courage to not just give answers and...

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How to Keep Praying When it’s Hard (St. Catherine of Siena)

Prayer can get difficult. It's hard to maintain attention. Sometimes our prayer feels "dry". We don't know what to say. We...

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The Word of the Year You Need in 2024

If you don't already have a "word of the year" for 2024 (or if you're open to a second one), Fr. Mark-Mary has one for you:...

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When God Doesn't Answer Your Prayers

If it feels like God isn't answering your prayers, that can be disheartening. But it can also be devastating. Today, Fr....

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The Transgender Question

Father Mike Schmitz discusses the difference between one’s perception of gender and gender reality. Gender stereotypes have...

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The True Meaning of Advent

What is the best way to prepare for the season of Advent? You’re free to do what you know will help you prepare for Christmas...

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What Did Mary Do for Advent?

In this introductory video, you will meet the hosts, Fr. Mark Toups, Sr. Miriam James Heidland, and Fr. Josh Johnson as they...

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Advent: New Liturgical Year, New You

Bobby Angel encourages you to restart your life this Advent. A great way to restart is to go to confession. Many parishes take...

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Finish Advent Strong: Celebrate Christmas Well

Begin Again Can you believe it, Christmas is almost here? Was your Advent as spiritually fruitful as you had hoped?  Regardless...

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You Are Made for Love (feat. The Sisters of Life)

We Are Made For Love Fr. Mark-Mary and Sister Mariae Agnus Dei explain how to let love rule your life. Every single person was...

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Let Jesus Do the Heavy Lifting in Your Life (feat. The Sisters of Life)

How To Deal With Your Stuff Fr. Mark-Mary and Sr. Mariae Agnus Dei talk about how to let love deal with your “stuff”. We all...

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Answering Your Questions About Advent

Mary and Her Immaculate Conception Truly loving Mary will never lessen our faith in God, or take attention away from Christ....

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Advent: More Than a Chocolate Calendar

Stepping into Advent What does Advent mean to you? A time to put the lights up, gift shop, and eat chocolate? Or is it...

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Passing the Faith Onto Your Kids

Jackie and Bobby talk about how to bring your children to Mass, especially those under the age of reason. As parents of four...

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Why God Loves You

God wants our brokenness.  He wants everything that makes us imperfect in the eyes of the world. In this video, Fr. Mike...

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Why It's Important to Have Good Friendships

At a glance, you may look at friendship and say it’s not necessary for day-to-day life. It’s just “nice to have.” And the truth...

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Do You Present Your True Self to Others?

If we put on a mask when we come to God in prayer, how can he love that fake version of us? In this week’s video from Fr. Mike,...

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How to Get Real Friends

How many real friends do you have?  Honestly, many people we call friends would probably better qualify as pals or buddies. The...

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God Made You For Community

What does my community have to do with my relationship with God? Communion and community come from God; isolation and division...

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When You’re Distracted in Prayer

Getting Closer to God When you're first growing in prayer and developing your relationship with Jesus, it is worth the...

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The Absolute Necessity of Saying "Thank You"

When was the last time you told God “thank you”?  We live in an extremely hectic world, full of distractions,...

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The Busy Catholic’s Guide to Finding Time to Pray

Prayer: Start Here St. Paul's call in Thessalonians 5:17 is to "pray without ceasing", but how do we do that in our busy lives...

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A Way to Practice Gratitude (That Actually Sticks)

It can be easy in our modern world to fall into the trap of envy and jealousy. When we dedicate our energy and focus on what...

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3 Amazing Quotes from St. Therese of Lisieux

October 1st is the feast of St. Therese of Lisieux, patroness of foreign missions and a Doctor of the Church. But what can this...

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How Do We Spend Our Time?

How we spend our time is one of the most valuable decisions we make, because time is one thing we can never get back once it’s...

Resource Adults
What's Your Bedtime?

There’s an old saying, “Why put off until tomorrow what you could do today?” Our culture’s "seize-the-day" mentality can be a...

Resource Adults
What's a Sign From God (And What Isn't)

Signs are often tricky and fuzzy. They’re not always such a good tool for helping you make a decision.  Let’s be honest: we...

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How to Pray the Rosary as a Family

We all know that Our Lady has asked us to pray the Rosary daily, but does she really expect little children to be able to...

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Why We Hate Natural Family Planning

Bobby hates natural family planning because it requires self-mastery and dying to self. While it sounds great in the idealistic...

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Why We Love Natural Family Planning

Following up on their first two videos in this series, which cover the pill and contraception, Jackie and Bobby discuss the...

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Why We Don't Use Contraception in Our Marriage

Jackie and Bobby give their reasons for not using contraception in their marriage. While sharing the Church’s beautiful...

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Why Self-Care is Important for Loving Others

Jesus challenges us in the Gospels to “love your neighbor as yourself.” But what if you struggle to love yourself? How can we...

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A Catholic Guide to Summer Break

Finding Rhythms for Summer  Summer break is a time for rest, recreation, and renewal. But what do we do with that space?...

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Get Out of Your Rut

Feeling stuck in a ho-hum routine that’s draining you of energy, inspiration, and a sense of purpose in life? Boredom, believe...

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How Kids Make You Holy

Why is it important to raise holy children? Being a parent is exhausting, but if you’re called to marriage and...

Resource Women
All Women Are Mothers. Here's How (feat. Lisa Cotter)

Does being a female make me motherly? If you are a woman, you were made to be a mother—even if you're not a physical...

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Praying As You Can, Not As You Can't

What do you do when you don’t have the desire to pray? Today Fr. Mike encourages and challenges us to ask God to give us...

Resource Adults
The First Step to Uncovering God's Plan for Your Life

Today Fr. Mark-Mary is joined by Sr. Maria Regina, S.V. the Vocations Director for the Sisters of Life, to talk about the...

Resource Adults
How to Discover Your Gifts and Claim Them for Christ

There are a lot of different kinds of gifts the Lord can give us. But which ones did he give you? Any talent you have,...

Resource Adults
What is The Purpose of Lent?

So... Why do we practice Lent?  What’s the real connection between the Israelites’ forty years in the desert and the...

Resource Adults Young Adult
Preparing For Lent

How can we prepare our hearts to make the most of Lent? In this video, Fr. Mike explains how prayer, fasting, and...

Resource Adults
4 Myths About Being a Single Catholic

Everyone has a vocation. We're all designed for relationship here on earth to prepare us for eternal relationship with God...

Resource Adults
Is God Going to Give You What You Want?

Does it ever feel like God has a plan for your life?  ...And his plan is to give you exactly what you don't want? This is a...

Resource Adults
Why You Need to Know Your Go-To Sins

Do you know which sins are your “go-to sins”? Go-to sins are sins are habitual sins—sins that you are constantly struggling...

Resource Adults
A Theology of Working Out

Let's talk about exercise! Today Fr. Mike challenges us to re-evaluate the way we treat and view our bodies as well as to...

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Why Is It So Hard to Forgive Yourself?

When you are struggling to forgive yourself As Catholics, we believe in the forgiveness of our sins through the graces of...

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If God is Good, Why Do We Need to Pray?

The age-old question: why do I need to pray?

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Questioning The Faith Vs. Deconstructing The Faith

How can we question and seek truth in a healthy way?  When it comes to doubts or difficulties with the Catholic Faith,...

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The "Little Things" Are Actually Most Things

Don’t Let The Important Moments Pass You By Saint Teresa of Calcutta once said, "We cannot all do great things. But we...

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All Saints Day Prep

Running the Spiritual Race What does a triathlon have to do with the Communion of Saints? Fr. Mike Schmitz draws...

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Why Does God Need Us To Worship Him?

Why Does God Need Us to Worship Him? God is an infinite, perfect, communion of persons, responsible for the intentional...

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Do You Get Distracted During Prayer?

Do You Get Distrated During Prayer? Even with four hours a day of prayer, Fr. Malachy still gets distracted. After his...

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Is It Ever Okay To Give Up?

Fr. Mike With Ascension Presents You may have seen the movie Rudy. Its eponymous protagonist is a not-so-athletic college...

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A Guided Examination of Conscience

Let’s take a breath and slow down. Sometimes we need to take the time to really think about our heart, mind, and actions....

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Family Brings Out The Worst (So God Can Heal It)

Do you ver feel like your worst comes out when you get with your family? Even if you think you’ve gotten more patient, kind,...

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What Did Mary Do For Advent? 

A Reflection for Advent with Ascension Presents For all of Advent this year, Ascension Presents offers a beautiful reflection...

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Great Family Activities For Advent

The waiting of Advent can be a time filled with great family activities and memories. Jackie and Bobby share some...

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Who You Are Vs. Who You Are Called To Be

Sometimes we believe we just are a certain type of person, and that hinders us from being everything we are called to be.  Fr....

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Race, Riots, and Renewal: An Open Conversation with the CFRs

Fr. Mark-Mary of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFR) introduces Fr. Pierre Toussaint, CFR and Fr. Agustino Torres, CFR...

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"What Can Catholics Do to Overcome Racism?"

Fr. Mark-Mary asks Fr. Pierre Toussaint about his experience of racism and division in the Church. And Fr. Mark-Mary listens....

Resource Adults
How to Live With Uncertainty

Mother Clare and Fr. Mark-Mary discuss how to live with uncertainty. Being uncertain about something isn’t entirely...

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Fitting Prayer Into Your Life

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From Gambling to Religious Life

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Giving Everything to God

Brother Malachy and Father Mark-Mary reflect upon the challenge of giving everything to God. Many of us have gone all in for...

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Listening to God's will

Brother Malachy isn’t messing around when it comes to listening to God’s will. He puts his entire conversion story on the table...

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Easy Way to Do a Daily Examen

Father Mark-Mary suggests a simple spiritual exercise that could have a great impact on your life.  He recommends taking a few...

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How to Build Your Prayer Life This Year

Father Mark-Mary shares a goal-setting technique that helped make Google...well, Google. But instead of using this goal-setting...

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A Spiritual Routine for Catholics Living in Quarantine

Fr. Mark-Mary shares some insights that teach us how to live as Catholics while in quarantine. He reflects on the monastic...

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Do All Good People Go to Heaven?

Good people go to heaven when they die, right? Well, according to the Gospels, not exactly. Fr. Mike Schmitz points to at...

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What Consitutes a Practicing Catholic?  

It may be difficult to tell a non-practicing Catholic that he or she can’t receive Communion, but—as Fr. Mike Schmitz proves in...

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Finding Hope in Times of Darkness

Finding hope in times of darkness is difficult, but so necessary to our happiness and attitude towards life.   Hope is so...

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Should Lent Be Sad?

Given the fact that we’re told to fast, pray hard, and give alms during Lent, there is a tendency to think Lent should be sad....

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Is Self-Control a Virtue?

If you’ve ever lost your temper you probably understand why self-control, or temperance, is a virtue. As one of the cardinals...

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Let God Inconvenience You

If you let God inconvenience you, you will find that interruptions from other people are often his way of telling you that the...

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Finding Time for Prayer

If you’re having trouble finding time for prayer, give God fifteen minutes a day. That’s one percent. St. Josemaría Escrivá,...

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A Faith Life With No Regrets

Athlete or not, a “Leave it all on the field” approach to faith is a great way to live a life with no regrets. You’ve probably...

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Reconciling the Body of Christ Amid Racial Division (An Interview with Fr. Josh Johnson)

Fr. Mike Schmitz sits down with Fr. Josh Johnson to discuss racial division in the Church and how Catholics can strive to...

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Can I Get a Tattoo

Fr. Mike Schmitz gives us some things to consider before getting a tattoo. If we do choose to place permanent marks on our...

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The Significance of Ash Wednesday

They may just be ashes, but Fr. Mike points out that what they represent goes far beyond mere dust of the earth. With a simple...

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Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?

How can God be good, but allow bad things to happen? Fr. Mike Schmitz tackles one of the toughest questions religious believers...

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The Meaning of Suffering

Books upon books have been written about the problem of suffering. Fr. Mike isn’t about to reinvent the wheel in this video,...

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Offering Up Our Inconveniences

A great way to make this Lent even better spiritually is to offer up not only something you chose, but also to offer up your...

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Fasting Can Change You Forever

Fr. Mike talks about the real reasons Christ tells us to fast. It isn’t just about strengthening our will and showing our love...

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4 Reasons For Fasting

Why do we fast? Fr. Mike explains that it’s not about getting more love and attention from God. Fasting is about self-mastery,...

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Why do Catholics Genuflect?

By genuflecting before the tabernacle at church, we’re saying at least one of three things with our bodies. Those three things...

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Motivation to go to Mass

You may have heard priests or devout Catholics say something like, “If only people knew what was happening at Mass, they’d be...

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Mortal vs. Venial Sin

Even though mortal sins are more deadly than venial sins, that doesn’t mean venial sins are harmless. Fr. Mike explains the...

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Hell is for Real

It’s a question that arises whenever someone challenges the beliefs of Christianity: If God is all-loving, why does he send...

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What Defines You?

Whether it’s our reputation as the smartest person in the class or office or a signature beard that makes us look like Chuck...

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Is God the Center of Your Life?

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Why God Loves You

God wants our brokenness. He wants everything that makes us imperfect in the eyes of the world. In this video, Fr. Mike Schmitz...

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3 Steps of Unceasing Prayer

First Thessalonians 5:17 says to “pray constantly,” but how do we do that? In this video, Fr. Mike Schmitz suggests a...

Resource Women
For Everyone Doubting Themselves

Leah Darrow, Catholic speaker and former model, has a message to share with those who are looking for a deeper purpose in life....

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Do You Really Trust God?

The question “Do you really trust God?” was right in Father Mark-Mary’s face when a full-grown rhinoceros was running toward...

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Common Difficulties With Prayer

Sometimes when we have difficulties in prayer, we forget that everyone experiences these difficulties, even religious. Mother...

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Giving God Your Hopes and Dreams

Mother Clare and Fr. Mark-Mary encourage you not to fear giving God your hopes and dreams. If it’s seeming more and more like...

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Struggling to Hear God's voice

If you’re struggling to hear God’s voice, take heart in Fr. Mark-Mary’s words of hope here. Complementing the advice given by...

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How to Really Pray the Rosary

Fr. Mark-Mary discusses how to really pray the Rosary and go deeper than the external mechanics. Primarily it’s about...

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Why Do We Feel Restless?

Jesus wants to free us from restlessness, but we so often go elsewhere for rest. We try to find rest in our social status,...