He has over 100,000 followers on Instagram, millions of views on Youtube, over 100,000 Twitter followers, leads highly followed podcasts called The Bible in a Year and The Catechism in a Year, and recently has joined the Hallow App which is a new and popular app for Catholic meditation and prayer. He has also written several books. He does all of this while being the director of the Catholic Ministry at the University of Minnesota Duluth.

Who is this superman of Catholic media and priests? Father Mike Schmitz.

Fr. Schmitz is a 48-year-old Catholic priest, born in Chicago, and raised in Minnesota. He is one of six kids. His father was an orthopedic surgeon and his mom was a homemaker. At the age of 15 while at confession, he experienced an encounter with God which eventually led him to the priesthood. Father Schmitz loves offering the Holy Sacrifice of Mass. He loved preaching and hearing confessions.

Fr. Schmitz has a really powerful voice and ability to speak to his listeners in a dynamic and engaging style that has made him popular among Catholics and non-Catholics alike. He is highly regarded for his ability to connect with young people and his effective communication of Catholic values and teachings.

His podcasts and YouTube consist of answering dozens and dozens of questions that all of us have about God, Faith, Life, and Catholicism. Father Schmitz walks you through reflection, private commentary, and prayer along the way while listening. His short videos offer incredible insights into the Catholic Church, how to bring God into our daily lives, and more. Just a few examples are:
-Catholics vs. Christians; What’s the Difference?
-Making a Good Confession
-Why Catholics Have a Pope
-Catholics, Alcohol, and Drinking
-Why Does God Let Bad Things Happen
-Do All Good People Go To Heaven
-What Happens When We Don’t Attend Mass Every Sunday?

If these questions sound like ones that you, a high school student, have, it’s no coincidence. After spending many years as a college priest on campus in Minnesota, Father Mike interacts daily with college students at various campus ministry events offered in the Newman Center located on campus and he also celebrates Mass on Sundays there which is widely attended by students. He has a real understanding of the faith challenges young adults are encountering and the many questions they have.

In 2021, Father Mike started the Bible in A Year podcast. In the podcast, Father Mike walks you through the entire Bible in 365 episodes, providing commentary, reflection, and prayer along the way. The reading plan is inspired by The Great Adventure Bible Timeline which is a ground-breaking approach to understanding salvation history developed by renowned Catholic Bible scholar Jeff Cavins. For each period in the timeline, Jeff joins Father Mike for a special episode that will help you understand the context of each reading. With this podcast, you won’t just read the Bible in a year, you’ll finally understand how all the pieces of the Bible fit together to tell an amazing story that continues in your life today! Each episode is about 20-25 minutes and includes two to three scripture readings, a reflection from Father Mike, and a guided prayer.

Nicole Moore, 23′ states that she “listens to Father Schmitz podcasts every morning on the way to school.” Nicole says that Father Schmitz inspires her to live a life of peace and confidence in her faith. Listening to his podcasts in the morning on her way to school helps her to start her day with a positive attitude and an open mind. Father Schmitz pushes Nicole to think about the ways she is practicing her faith. She enjoys listening to each scripture reading and his interpretations of the readings.

Hallow is the number one Catholic Meditation, Prayer, Sleep, and Bible App. Father Mike joined Hollow and offers his Bible in a Year podcast there as well as his newly launched Catechism in a Year. Additionally, you can find Father Mike giving sleep Bible stories. Hallow’s app is 100% authentically Catholic and in line with the Church’s teaching.

Fr. Schmitz has been able to successfully use various forms of Catholic media to promote Catholicism, the Bible, answers to deep philosophical questions, and pathways to salvation and dealing with suffering. Father Mike continues on today creating different resources and working towards bettering our understanding of the Catholic faith.