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When we confess our sins, we’re not telling God something he doesn’t know; we’re giving God access to something he doesn’t have: permission to heal our wounds. Today we learn why the act of confessing our sins is an essential part of the sacrament of Reconciliation. Fr. Mike also clarifies the difference between absolution, penance, and satisfaction. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1455-1460.

For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB.

Day 200: The Confession of Sins

Michael Root is Ordinary Professor of Systematic Theology at The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC. Root is a native of Norfolk, Virginia and studied at Dartmouth College (B.A.) and Yale University (Ph.D. in theology). He was received into the Catholic Church in August, 2010. His particular theological interests are ecumenical relations, eschatology/last things, and grace and justification. Root has been a member of the US and international LutheranCatholic dialogues, the US LutheranUnited Methodist dialogue, the AnglicanLutheran International Working Group, and the AnglicanLutheran International Commission. He served on the drafting teams that produced the Lutheran-Roman Catholic Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification.

Purgatory: Good News for Most of Us | Professor Michael Root

Reading St. Augustine's City of God with St. Thomas Aquinas | Prof. Chad Pecknold

How are lay people called to serve the Lord? In this episode, Jeff dives into answering this question by walking through some of the wisdom from St. John Paul II’s document Christifideles Laici.

Snippet from the Show 
We are all called to work in the Lord’s vineyard.

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<li>Email us with comments or questions at <a href="mailto:thejeffcavinsshow@ascensionpress.com" rel="nofollow">thejeffcavinsshow@ascensionpress.com</a>. </li>
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Is There a Laity Shortage? Part 1

Prof. Christopher Kaczor critically examines the ethics of abortion by exploring whether the unborn are alive and human, whether killing is justified, and whether bodily autonomy overrides other moral considerations. This lecture was given on April 14th, 2025, at Duke University. For more information on upcoming events, visit us at <a href="https://dashboard.cohostpodcasting.com/shows/fedb9eb7-b992-446b-be01-01cd62afd823/episodes/thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events" target="_blank">thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events</a>. About the Speaker: Dr. Christopher Kaczor (rhymes with razor) graduated from the Honors Program of Boston College and earned a Ph.D. four years later from the University of Notre Dame. A Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Kaczor is a former Federal Chancellor Fellow at the University of Cologne and William E. Simon Visiting Fellow in the James Madison Program at Princeton University and Honorary Professor in Bishop Barron's Word on Fire Institute. His seventeen books include The Gospel of Happiness, The Seven Big Myths about Marriage, A Defense of Dignity, The Seven Big Myths about the Catholic Church, The Ethics of Abortion, O Rare Ralph McInerny: Stories and Reflections on a Legendary Notre Dame Professor, Thomas Aquinas on the Cardinal Virtues; Life Issues-Medical Choices; Thomas Aquinas on Faith, Hope, and Love; The Edge of Life, and Proportionalism and the Natural Law Tradition. Dr. Kaczor’s views have been in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, Huffington Post, National Review, NPR, BBC, EWTN, ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, MSNBC, TEDx, and The Today Show. Keywords: Abortion Ethics, Bodily Autonomy, Don Marquis, Human Rights,&nbsp;Justice, Judith Jarvis Thomson, Moral Philosophy, Personhood, Science and Ethics, Women's Rights

The Ethics of Abortion: Women's Rights, Human Life, and the Question of Justice I Prof. Christopher Kaczor

I sit down with pro-life logic ninja Stephanie Gray to discuss abortion. I think this will be the best interview you've ever heard about how to refute pro-abortion arguments and how to make the pro-life case. Thanks to our sponsors! ---------- SPONSORS EL Investments: <a href= "https://www.elinvestments.net/pints">https://www.elinvestments.net/pints</a> Exodus 90: <a href= "https://exodus90.com/mattfradd/">https://exodus90.com/mattfradd/</a>  Hallow: <a href= "http://hallow.app/mattfradd">http://hallow.app/mattfradd</a>  STRIVE: <a href= "https://www.strive21.com/">https://www.strive21.com/</a>  GIVING Patreon: <a href= "https://www.patreon.com/mattfradd">https://www.patreon.com/mattfradd</a> This show (and all the plans we have in store) wouldn't be possible without you. I can't thank those of you who support me enough. Seriously! Thanks for essentially being a co-producer coproducer of the show. LINKS Website: <a href= "https://pintswithaquinas.com/">https://pintswithaquinas.com/</a> Merch: <a href= "https://teespring.com/stores/matt-fradd">https://teespring.com/stores/matt-fradd</a> FREE 21 Day Detox From Porn Course: <a href= "https://www.strive21.com/">https://www.strive21.com/</a> SOCIAL Facebook: <a href= "https://www.facebook.com/mattfradd">https://www.facebook.com/mattfradd</a> Twitter: <a href= "https://twitter.com/mattfradd">https://twitter.com/mattfradd</a> Instagram: <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/mattfradd">https://www.instagram.com/mattfradd</a> MY BOOKS  Does God Exist: <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Does-God-Exist-Socratic-Dialogue-ebook/dp/B081ZGYJW3/ref=sr_1_9?dchild=1&keywords=fradd&qid=1586377974&sr=8-9">https://www.amazon.com/Does-God-Exist-Socratic-Dialogue-ebook/dp/B081ZGYJW3/ref=sr_1_9?dchild=1&keywords=fradd&qid=1586377974&sr=8-9</a> Marian Consecration With Aquinas: <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Marian-Consecration-Aquinas-Growing-Closer-ebook/dp/B083XRQMTF/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=fradd&qid=1586379026&sr=8-4">https://www.amazon.com/Marian-Consecration-Aquinas-Growing-Closer-ebook/dp/B083XRQMTF/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=fradd&qid=1586379026&sr=8-4</a> The Porn Myth: <a href= "https://www.ignatius.com/The-Porn-Myth-P1985.aspx">https://www.ignatius.com/The-Porn-Myth-P1985.aspx</a> CONTACT Book me to speak: <a href= "https://www.mattfradd.com/speakerrequestform">https://www.mattfradd.com/speakerrequestform</a>

BONUS |Making the Pro-Life Case W/ Stephanie Gray | The Matt Fradd Show Ep. 9

Together with Fr. Mike, we continue our examination of the sacrament of Baptism, specifically the mystagogy of the rite of Baptism. The Catechism explains each and every element of the Baptismal rite, from the Sign of the Cross to the baptismal water. Fr. Mike concludes with a reflection on Baptism as the beginning of our sacramental journey and how we are called to walk as children of God throughout our lives after our Baptism. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1234-1245.

This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB.

For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Day 169: The Mystagogy of Baptism (2025)

Prayer in the age of the Church takes on many different forms. Together, we examine specifically blessing, adoration, and petition. Fr. Mike emphasizes the beauty that all of our prayers of blessing are a response to God’s blessings for us. He also explores how common and spontaneous prayers of petition to our Father in heaven truly are, but in the age of the Church, our petition is full of hope and not lamentation. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2623-2633.

This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB.

For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Day 337: Blessing, Adoration, and Petition (2024)

We often receive the behavior we are willing to tolerate, but what does that mean for our daily interactions?

Communication is the clearest way to let someone know how you are feeling. When meeting with someone who you feel is being rude, we may try to give outward signs of our discomfort, but we can’t guarantee they’ll understand unless we tell them directly. And obviously, this isn’t easy.

There aren’t many people who love confrontation, and even some that do anything they can to avoid it. We’re always so afraid that if we bring up something that we want changed, or share something that’s hurting us, that we’ll destroy that relationship. But more times than not, confronting these things head on and setting these boundaries won’t hurt the relationship but will strengthen it. 

This isn’t just relevant for our relationships with other people either - it’s relevant to our relationship with ourselves. How many times have we made personal goals or aspirations but never changed our behaviors to make them possible? We get the behaviors that we’re willing to tolerate, even within ourselves.

St. Ignatius of Loyala had an exercise where he would imagine two sides, the side of the evil one and the side of the Lord. In this exercise, he would look at his decisions and choices for his life and decide, based on which side they fell on, who he would ultimately join: the evil one, or the Lord. By birth we belong to the evil one, but by baptism we belong to the Lord. Each side is battling for us to come over to their side, and if we are striving to be on the Lord’s side, then we have to recognize boundaries for ourselves that we can’t tolerate.

This battle does not need to be fought alone—in fact, it can’t be. We must rely on the infinite grace of God, which he is longing to give us every second of our day. What are the behaviors we need to remove from our lives for the glory of God?

Ascension is proud to partner with authentically Catholic institutions and organizations committed to spreading the Gospel. Learn more about the sponsor of this episode,<a href="https://tinyurl.com/yc67p3cj" rel="nofollow"> Ave Maria University. </a><a rel="payment" href="https://ascensionpress.com/products/support-ascension">Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast</a>

Setting Boundaries for Yourself and Others

In this episode of the Abiding Together Podcast, we had the pleasure of interviewing Fr. Mike Schmitz! Fr. Mike is a wonderful speaker and evangelist, but more than that, he is a beautiful witness of what it looks like to be a spiritual father. We discuss spiritual fatherhood in the priesthood and some of the stumbling blocks in our relationship with God the Father. We also discuss what restored masculinity and the family looks like. One Thing We Love this Week Sister Miriam’s one thing - The book The <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Life-Model-Living-Essentials-Christian/dp/0967435706" rel="nofollow">Life Model: Living from the Heart Jesus Gave You</a> Michelle’s one thing - Summer hospitality and potlucks! Heather’s one thing - The music video for “<a href= "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChcR2gKt5WM" rel="nofollow">Fall On Me</a>” by Andrea and Matteo Bocelli Fr. Mike’s One things - <a href="https://amzn.to/2MgQM3G" rel= "nofollow">Boys Adrift</a> by Leonard Sax and <a href= "https://amzn.to/2YUfTL9" rel="nofollow">The Heart of Perfection</a> by Colleen Campbell Discussion Questions Do you feel like you can trust God? What makes you distrust his heart at times? What is your experience of fatherhood in your life? How has this impacted your relationship with God the Father positively or negatively? What does a rebirth or renaissance of the family look like in our world today? Journal Questions Sit with the words, as if said from God the Father, “I am proud of you”. What stirs in your heart? Who in your life has revealed the heart of God the Father to you? In what areas do you need to experience restoration in your relationship with your earthly father and with God the Father? Quote to Ponder “I know I can trust God the Father as my dad” - Fr. Mike Schmitz Scripture for Lectio Divina - 1 John 3:1 “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.”

S05 Episode 23: The Heart of a Father -  Interview with Fr. Mike Schmitz

We are all called to the virtue of chastity, which integrates our sexuality within the fullness of our person. Chastity trains us in freedom, teaching us how to direct and guide our desires. Fr. Mike explains that this virtue requires sustained effort and leads to self-mastery and peace. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2337-2345. 

This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB.

For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Day 305: The Call to Chastity (2024)

This lecture was given on April 21, 2022 at The Christian Heritage Centre at Stonyhurst as part of "Catholicism and the Arts: An Intellectual Retreat."

For more information on upcoming events, please visit our website at www.thomisticinstitute.org.

About the speaker:
Fr Uwe Michael Lang, a native of Nuremberg, Germany, is a priest of the Oratory of St Philip Neri in London. He holds a doctorate in theology from the University of Oxford and teaches Church History at Mater Ecclesiae College, St Mary’s University, Twickenham, and at Allen Hall Seminary, London. He is an Associate Staff Member at the Maryvale Institute, Birmingham, and on the Visiting Faculty of the Liturgical Institute in Mundelein, Illinois. He is the Editor of Antiphon: A Journal for Liturgical Renewal.

From 2008 to 2012 he was a staff member of Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, and from 2008 to 2013 he was a Consultor to the Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff. In the academic year 2011/2012, he taught as Professore incaricato for history of Christian worship and hagiography at the Pontifical Institute for Christian Archaeology in Rome

The Way of Beauty: Sacred Art and Architecture | Fr. Michael Lang

We continue our examination of Christ’s acts through the sacraments that he instituted. Fr. Mike emphasizes the importance of understanding that the sacraments are sacred signs that “make present efficaciously the grace they signify.” The sacraments specifically signify the Paschal mystery, Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. We also explore how the Paschal mystery cannot remain in the past. Though it occurred in time, it transcends all time and is made present in all time. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1084-1090.

This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB.

For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Day 147: Christ’s Work in the Liturgy (2025)

Why do purgatory and hell exist? The Catechism teaches us today about the existence and the meaning of purgatory and hell. We learn that purgatory is a transitional state of purification while hell is the state of permanent separation from God. Fr. Mike reminds us that nobody drifts into heaven because “we cannot be united to God unless we freely choose to love him.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1030-1037.

This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB.

For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Day 140: Purgatory and Hell (2025)

True Sacrifice: Understanding the Mass | Prof. Bruce D. Marshall

Erik Dempsey is the Assistant Director of the University of Texas at Austin's Thomas Jefferson Center for the Study of Core Texts and Ideas. He is interested in understanding human virtue and the proper place of politics in a flourishing human life. He specializes in the ethical and political teaching of the Bible and Aristotle; theoretical foundations of modern politics; and the question of relativism.

Our Lukewarm Age: Relativism and God in the Modern World | Professor Erik Dempsey

FREE E-book "You Can Understand Aquinas": <a href= "https://pintswithaquinas.com/understanding-thomas/">https://pintswithaquinas.com/understanding-thomas/</a> SPONSORS Hallow: <a href= "http://hallow.app/mattfradd">http://hallow.app/mattfradd</a> Ethos Logos Investments: <a href= "https://www.elinvestments.net/pints">https://www.elinvestments.net/pints</a> STRIVE: <a href= "https://www.strive21.com/">https://www.strive21.com/</a> GIVING Patreon or Directly: <a href= "https://pintswithaquinas.com/support/">https://pintswithaquinas.com/support/</a> This show (and all the plans we have in store) wouldn't be possible without you. I can't thank those of you who support me enough. Seriously! Thanks for essentially being a co-producer co-producer of the show. LINKS Website: <a href= "https://pintswithaquinas.com/">https://pintswithaquinas.com/</a> Merch: teespring.com/stores/matt-fradd FREE 21 Day Detox From Porn Course: <a href= "https://www.strive21.com/">https://www.strive21.com/</a> SOCIAL Facebook: <a href= "https://www.facebook.com/mattfradd">https://www.facebook.com/mattfradd</a> Twitter: <a href= "https://twitter.com/mattfradd">https://twitter.com/mattfradd</a> Instagram: <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/mattfradd">https://www.instagram.com/mattfradd</a> Gab: <a href= "https://gab.com/mattfradd">https://gab.com/mattfradd</a>

How Eastern & Western Christians Can Mutually Enrich Each Other (Fr. Jason Charron) | Ep. 303

The Lord calls everyone to live a life of surrender, and we have been looking at the various ways God calls people to grow in holiness. Religious life includes the public profession of vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience; members of secular institutes dedicate themselves to living in the world and helping to sanctify it. We also learn that those in societies of apostolic life devote themselves to a particular apostolic purpose without religious vows. These calls to holiness are gifts to the Church and the world. Today&#39;s readings are Catechism paragraphs 925-933. 

This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB.

For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Day 128: Unique Calls to Holiness (2024)

How does someone come into the Church? Jeff outlines the process of a person coming into the Church and how you can be a part of that process. He also discusses what it means to put on Christ and be a part of the Body of Christ.

Snippet from the Show 
“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Galatians 3:27

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<li>Email us with comments or questions at <a href="mailto:thejeffcavinsshow@ascensionpress.com" rel="nofollow">thejeffcavinsshow@ascensionpress.com</a>. </li>
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Activated Disciple Series Part 4: Going All In

For the Church to remain truly apostolic, she must exercise the apostolate, which is the mission “to spread the Kingdom of Christ over all the earth.” Today’s readings remind us that all members of the Church are “sent out” on a mission to proclaim the Good News. Most importantly, Fr. Mike emphasizes that charity, drawn from our unity with Christ, is the “soul” of the whole apostolate that leads us to bear fruit. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 863-870. 

This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB.

For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Day 121: The Apostolate  (2025)

Superstition, idolatry, divination, and magic are all things we can encounter in our daily lives, and, with Fr. Mike, we unpack how they break the first commandment. Fr. Mike reiterates that superstition represents an “excess of religion” and can affect the worship we offer to God. He points out that we can be superstitious even in our Catholic practices. He also explains that idolatry consists of divinizing anything that is not God. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2110-2117.

This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB.

For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Day 275: Superstition, Idolatry, and Magic (2024)

Mother continues her mini series on the eight evil thoughts. In this episode she talks about the Love of Money and Sadness. What do these thoughts really do to the soul and to the spiritual life? 🎧 Mother's Podcast: <a href= "https://whatgodisnot.com/">https://whatgodisnot.com/</a> 🖥️ Website: <a href= "https://pintswithaquinas.com/">https://pintswithaquinas.com/</a> 🟢 Rumble: <a href= "https://rumble.com/c/pintswithaquinas">https://rumble.com/c/pintswithaquinas</a> 👕 Merch: <a href= "https://shop.pintswithaquinas.com">https://shop.pintswithaquinas.com</a> 🚫 FREE 21 Day Detox From Porn Course: <a href= "https://www.strive21.com/matt">https://www.strive21.com/matt</a> 🔵 Facebook: <a href= "https://www.facebook.com/mattfradd">https://www.facebook.com/mattfradd</a> 📸 Instagram: <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/mattfradd">https://www.instagram.com/mattfradd</a> We get a small kick back from affiliate links