In a previous episode, Fr. Mike said that all Catholics grow in the same “soil” together, but the fruit we bear is unique. But what is this common soil? What are the essentials for every Catholic Christian?

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”

So there are four elements in the soil:


Teachings of the Apostles: Magisterial teaching of the Church, Sacred Scripture, and Tradition.
Communal Life (Fellowship): It’s not just me praying to Jesus. We need to share life somehow.
Breaking of the Bread: This refers to the Mass, not just eating together. 
Prayer: There are so many ways to pray as a Catholic, and so many awesome prayers. You can pray the Liturgy of the Hours with the Church, or in your own words, or both. But to be in the soil you have to pray. For a great Liturgy of the Hours app, check out iBreviary.


God wants us to flourish in faith, hope, and love for him and for others. He is the one who makes us grow in holiness, but in order to flourish we have to be nourished by the soil he gave us. Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

4 Essentials for Every Catholic

Faith, pop culture, and headline reflections from Fr. Mike Schmitz.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Religion & Spirituality

Other

Spirituality

Christianity

Buddhism

Hinduism

Judaism

Islam

Have you ever had dark, disturbing dreams? If you did, did you feel guilty when you woke up? Did you have some vague sense of shame that such dreams came from your mind?

If you’ve ever experienced this, you might have even wondered whether or not such dreams could be considered “sinful.” Fr. Mike is here today to give you the short answer—no, dreams themselves cannot be considered sinful—and the long answer… what are you doing during your waking hours that could be feeding these dark dreams? Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

Can I Sin in My Dreams?

Does good prayer feel out of reach for you? Do distractions plague you unceasingly? Are you wondering if you're supposed to be getting more out of prayer time?

Fr. Mike proposes a simple 4-part roadmap to better, more fulfilling prayer time. It's not difficult—it just takes practice. Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

4 Keys to Good Prayer

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 circumstances bring the best out of you or the worst out of you, you need Jesus more than you think you do. And that is a very good thing. Here's why. Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

Saying Yes to a Life You Did Not Plan

Do you have FOMO? Are you always worried about what you might miss out on? 

Today, Fr. Mike explores why this fear of missing out could be a gift in the spiritual life using the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ as he unravels how the disciples' FOMO led them to overlook a pivotal moment in history. 

The call is to BE fully present. Don't miss out on God moments.  Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

Stay. Watch. Pray. (Fr. Mike's Holy Week Special)

Everyone bears burdens and faces unseen challenges. Leading a life filled with love is often the simplest path to personal growth. 

In this discussion, Fr. Mike delves into extending grace to strangers. A small gesture of kindness, such as offering a smile or lending a helping hand, can cultivate a community of grace and love. He reminds us that everyone navigates life's complexities differently. Fr. Mike emphasizes that acts of kindness and compassion pave the way for increased empathy and understanding, even towards those we have yet to encounter. Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

4 Essentials for Every Catholic

Download our free app to listen on your phone