Dioceses, parishes, and families can now more easily explore and implement Ascension’s sacramental preparation programs through the Ascension app and web platform.
[Exton, PA - June 16, 2026] Ascension is making the video content from four of its award-winning sacramental preparation programs available for free through the web and mobile versions of the Ascension app, removing barriers that can make it difficult for parishes and families to access strong Catholic faith formation resources.
Dioceses, parishes, and families can now watch all of the videos from Chosen: Your Journey to Confirmation, Invited: Your Journey into the Catholic Church, Renewed: Your Journey to First Reconciliation, and Received: Your Journey to First Communion at no cost. This expanded access helps parishes, catechists, and parents more easily walk with students through sacramental preparation at church, in the classroom, and at home.
“One of the ongoing challenges in sacramental preparation is ensuring educators, catechists, and students have easy access to strong formation resources,” said Jonathan Strate, President and CEO of Ascension. “By making these programs freely available in the Ascension app, we are removing barriers for parish and family use. These resources have already helped more than 8,000 parishes and over a million Catholics encounter Christ more deeply in the sacraments, and we hope this update makes access even easier."
All videos are available on both the mobile and web versions of the Ascension app and can be accessed with a free account, allowing participants to track progress across lessons at no cost. Dedicated sections also support leaders and parents with content tailored to their role in sacramental preparation. For Invited, Ascension’s new OCIA program, the app includes more than 150 additional free resources—podcasts, articles, and supplemental videos—to help participants go deeper into each lesson.
Among the programs now available, Chosen stands as Ascension’s flagship 24-part Confirmation program and has been used by more than 850,000 teens. Known for its cinematic production, on-location filming, engaging presenters including Fr. Mike Schmitz, and full conformity with United States Conference of Catholic Bishops guidelines, it has become one of the most widely adopted Confirmation programs in the Catholic Church and continues to receive overwhelmingly positive reviews for its effectiveness in sacramental education.
“The Ascension team put a lot of thought and creativity into [Chosen]. The book on its own is fabulous, but when you add in the videos, it's captivating for both the teens and any adult catechists. We have used Chosen as our Confirmation program for the past three years and will definitely be continuing to use this program going forward.” —Angie A.
Programs that require certification tracking including Belonging: Baptism in the Family of God and Joy-Filled Marriage will continue to be offered under existing pathways.
The free videos are available now in the “Parish Programs” collection in the Ascension app and at www.AscensionPress.com/Parishes.
About Ascension
Ascension is one of the most trusted publishers of Catholic books and digital media today. For over 25 years, Ascension has helped nurture the faith of more than 20 million people through award-winning resources including the chart-topping The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) podcast, the groundbreaking The Great Adventure Bible study program, bestselling Bibles, over 50 faith formation programs, and Ascension Presents—one of the largest Catholic YouTube channels in the world. As the leader in faith formation, Ascension combines wide-reaching media, a commitment to quality, and a deep connection with the Catholic community to help millions encounter the truth and beauty of the Catholic faith.
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