Catechumens
My foundation readings

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Faith and questions

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What is faith?

Faith is a divine virtue by which we firmly believe the truths which God has revealed.

Kinkead’s explanation of the Baltimore Catechism · approved historical edition.

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Watch · intermediate

What Would It Mean to ‘Prove’ God Exists?

The Thomistic Institute · Aquinas 101

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Introduces philosophical reasoning about God’s existence and what a proof can establish.

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The Real Answer to Why God Allows Suffering

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz

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A pastoral reflection on suffering; it is not a complete explanation of a person’s particular grief or trauma.

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The Catechism in a Year

Ascension · Fr. Mike Schmitz

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A free 365-episode journey through the entire Catechism, useful when a visitor wants a structured course rather than one answer.

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Text alternative and playback help

Use the related Church text in the source notes below for a reading alternative. Captions and a full transcript have not been verified for this recording.

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Recordings are editorial selections, not texts carrying an imprimatur. The governing Church sources are recorded here for comparison.

What Would It Mean to ‘Prove’ God Exists?

The Thomistic Institute · Aquinas 101 · exact title, publisher and access checked 2026-09-11.

The Real Answer to Why God Allows Suffering

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz · exact title, publisher and access checked 2026-09-11.

The Catechism in a Year

Ascension · Fr. Mike Schmitz · exact title, publisher and access checked 2026-09-11.

If a recording and a cited Church text appear to conflict, follow the Church text and report the recording for review.

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Thomas L. Kinkead; sixth edition; Benziger Brothers, copyright 1891. Printed page 119, question 107.

Michael Augustine, Archbishop of New York; nihil obstat D. J. McMahon; 1891-09-05.

The words are transcribed from the approved edition; line wrapping is normalized. This is a concise historical catechism answer, not a complete treatment of every related question. Original English, including older terms, is retained.

Read the original page and surrounding explanation here · See the printed imprimatur

What is hope?

Hope is a divine virtue by which we firmly trust that God will give us eternal life and the means to obtain it.

Kinkead’s explanation of the Baltimore Catechism · approved historical edition.

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Watch · beginner

How to Offer It Up

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz

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Connects ordinary difficulties and sacrifices with love of Christ and service of others.

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

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz

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Practical encouragement for prayer amid work, family and a crowded day.

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The Catechism in a Year

Ascension · Fr. Mike Schmitz

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A free 365-episode journey through the entire Catechism, useful when a visitor wants a structured course rather than one answer.

Open at publisher
Text alternative and playback help

Use the related Church text in the source notes below for a reading alternative. Captions and a full transcript have not been verified for this recording.

Open the publisher’s player

Players connect to YouTube only after you choose Play. Listening or viewing is optional.

Verify media sources and selection

Recordings are editorial selections, not texts carrying an imprimatur. The governing Church sources are recorded here for comparison.

How to Offer It Up

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz · exact title, publisher and access checked 2026-09-11.

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

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz · exact title, publisher and access checked 2026-09-11.

The Catechism in a Year

Ascension · Fr. Mike Schmitz · exact title, publisher and access checked 2026-09-11.

If a recording and a cited Church text appear to conflict, follow the Church text and report the recording for review.

Read the original page here
Open and keep this answer
Verify original page, edition and approval

Thomas L. Kinkead; sixth edition; Benziger Brothers, copyright 1891. Printed page 120, question 108.

Michael Augustine, Archbishop of New York; nihil obstat D. J. McMahon; 1891-09-05.

The words are transcribed from the approved edition; line wrapping is normalized. This is a concise historical catechism answer, not a complete treatment of every related question. Original English, including older terms, is retained.

Read the original page and surrounding explanation here · See the printed imprimatur

What is a mystery?

A mystery is a truth which we cannot fully understand.

Kinkead’s explanation of the Baltimore Catechism · approved historical edition.

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Watch · intermediate

What Would It Mean to ‘Prove’ God Exists?

The Thomistic Institute · Aquinas 101

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Introduces philosophical reasoning about God’s existence and what a proof can establish.

Text alternative and playback help

Use the related Church text in the source notes below for a reading alternative. Captions and a full transcript have not been verified for this recording.

Open the publisher’s player

Watch · beginner

The Real Answer to Why God Allows Suffering

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz

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A pastoral reflection on suffering; it is not a complete explanation of a person’s particular grief or trauma.

Text alternative and playback help

Use the related Church text in the source notes below for a reading alternative. Captions and a full transcript have not been verified for this recording.

Open the publisher’s player

Listen · all

The Catechism in a Year

Ascension · Fr. Mike Schmitz

Verify

A free 365-episode journey through the entire Catechism, useful when a visitor wants a structured course rather than one answer.

Open at publisher
Text alternative and playback help

Use the related Church text in the source notes below for a reading alternative. Captions and a full transcript have not been verified for this recording.

Open the publisher’s player

Players connect to YouTube only after you choose Play. Listening or viewing is optional.

Verify media sources and selection

Recordings are editorial selections, not texts carrying an imprimatur. The governing Church sources are recorded here for comparison.

What Would It Mean to ‘Prove’ God Exists?

The Thomistic Institute · Aquinas 101 · exact title, publisher and access checked 2026-09-11.

The Real Answer to Why God Allows Suffering

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz · exact title, publisher and access checked 2026-09-11.

The Catechism in a Year

Ascension · Fr. Mike Schmitz · exact title, publisher and access checked 2026-09-11.

If a recording and a cited Church text appear to conflict, follow the Church text and report the recording for review.

Read the original page here
Open and keep this answer
Verify original page, edition and approval

Thomas L. Kinkead; sixth edition; Benziger Brothers, copyright 1891. Printed page 52, question 31.

Michael Augustine, Archbishop of New York; nihil obstat D. J. McMahon; 1891-09-05.

The words are transcribed from the approved edition; line wrapping is normalized. This is a concise historical catechism answer, not a complete treatment of every related question. Original English, including older terms, is retained.

Read the original page and surrounding explanation here · See the printed imprimatur

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My next step

Reading progress is for your own use. It does not establish readiness for initiation.

This is a selection from the approved historical English catechism, not a complete curriculum or an assessment of your personal circumstances. Edition details accompany each passage.