Get the reading plan for

The Imitation of Christ,

starting October 22, 2025!


Season 4: The Imitation of Christ

Starting October 22, 2025, Fr. Mike Schmitz makes his debut as host of the Catholic Classics podcast!

In just 30 days, he'll read through The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas à Kempis and provide explanations and reflections about what is read each day.

The Imitation of Christ is the second most-read Catholic devotional ever written and has inspired men and women throughout history to give their lives to Christ—including many great saints.

Read along with exclusive version of The Imitation of Christ read on this season of the podcast.

Discover a faithful, yet accessible new translation of a Catholic classic that has inspired countless saints to lead lives of holiness and virtue.

Order your copy today!


Season 3: Story of a Soul

Season 3 hosts Fr. Jacob Bertrand Janczyk and Fr. Michael-Joseph Paris read and exlain Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux.

In her “Little Way,” St. Thérèse shows us that, despite our weakness, (or perhaps because of it) God can make us saints through unbounded confidence in his love.

Read along with Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux

Featuring the only full authorized English translation, this special version renews Catholics' understanding and appreciation of this spiritual classic.

Order your copy today!

Follow Catholic Classics in your favorite podcast app:


Season 2: The Confessions of St. Augustine

Join Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P. and Fr. Jacob Bertrand Janczyk, O.P. as they read and explain The Confessions of St. Augustine.

In each 20-30 mins episode, St. Augustine shows us with bold vulnerability that our weakness is not a barrier to holiness.

Sign up for the reading plan below.

Following along with the version read in the podcast!

This beautiful edition uses an easy-to-understand translation and includes expert commentary from the podcast hosts Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P. and Fr. Jacob Bertrand Janczyk, O.P.

Order your copy today!


Season 1: Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales

In just 43 days, discover what generations of Catholics have learned from this treasured book: that it is possible to have a personal relationship with Jesus, regardless of the demands of everyday life.

Listen now on our website and sign up for the reading plan below.

Read along with the Catholic Classics podcast using the official copy of Introduction to the Devout Life.

This copy is an updated translation of St. Francis de Sales’ original text that features the full English translation (which is not included in all commonly-available translations), language updates that make the text accessible without changing its meaning or message, and expert commentary from podcast hosts Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P., and Fr. Jacob Bertrand Janczyk, O.P.

Click here to order your copy today!


Meet the Hosts

Fr. Mike Schmitz

Fr. Mike Schmitz, a Catholic priest and evangelist well known for his social media videos and podcasts, hosted the 2021 breakout podcast The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)™, which became the #1 podcast on the Apple charts after its January 2021 launch, and is the most popular Catholic podcast of all time. The Bible in a Year was Chartable’s #1 global podcast in religion for several years, and was covered by news outlets including CBS, Fox, and The New York Times Magazine.

For the impact of The Bible in a Year podcast, Fr. Mike was recognized as one of Our Sunday Visitor’s 2021 Catholics of the Year as well as a recipient of the 2022 Cardinal John P. Foley Award for excellence and innovation in Catholic storytelling. He is an internationally beloved Catholic speaker, and has spoken to hundreds of crowds ranging from his local Catholic parish to the National Eucharistic Congress audience of 50,000.

Fr. Mike is the director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Duluth as well as the chaplain for the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota-Duluth (UMD). Fr. Mike attended St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, and was ordained for the Diocese of Duluth in 2003.

Fr. Gregory Pine

Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P. is a Dominican friar (Order of Friars Preachers) of the Province of Saint Joseph, which is located in the Northeastern portion of the United States.

Crediting the intercession of St. Thomas Aquinas in his discernment, Fr. Gregory joined the Order after graduating from Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he studied math as well as humanities and Catholic culture. After being ordained as a priest in 2016, he served as parochial vicar at St. Louis Bertrand Parish in Louisville, KY, where he also worked as an adjunct professor at Bellarmine University. He then served as the assistant director of campus outreach for the Thomistic Institute based in Washington, D.C.

Fr. Gregory is currently a doctoral candidate in dogmatic theology at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland, concentrating on the Christology of St. Thomas Aquinas. He has recently released a new book for Catholics on the virtue of prudence.

In addition to his role as one of the hosts of Ascension’s new podcast Catholic Classics, Fr. Gregory is also a regular contributor to the popular podcasts Pints with Aquinas, Godsplaining, and The Thomistic Institute and has traveled widely to preach and teach the Catholic Faith.

When he’s not reading medieval tomes or administering the sacraments, Fr. Gregory spends his time enjoying great works of fiction and hiking in the nearby mountains.

Fr. Jacob Bertrand Janczyk

Fr. Jacob Bertrand Janczyk, O.P. is a Dominican friar of the Province of Saint Joseph, which ministers in the Dominican tradition to the Northeastern portion of the United States, and is also the pastor of St. Denis Catholic Church in Hanover, NH.

After graduating from Marist College with a degree in biomedical science, Fr. Jacob Bertrand joined the novitiate for the Dominicans and was ordained as a priest in the Dominican Order in 2017.

From there, he went on to work with college students at Dartmouth College, serving as assistant chaplain and then as director of vocations for the Province of Saint Joseph from 2018-2022.

In addition to co-hosting Ascension’s new podcast, Catholic Classics, Fr. Jacob Bertrand is also a host of the popular Dominican podcast, Godsplaining.

Fr. Michael-Joseph Paris of St. Therese

Fr. Michael-Joseph Paris of St. Thérèse, OCD is a Discalced Carmelite of the Province of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, a contemplative order of friars with a charism of “seeking union with God through friendship with Jesus Christ in the spirit of Mary.” Fr. Michael-Joseph is the Subprior and Director of Postulants in the Community of Holy Hill in Hubertus, Wisconsin.

After studying philosophy at St. John’s University in NY and theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, MD, Fr. Michael-Joseph was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Washington, DC in 2011. He served for 4 years as a Parochial Vicar in Rockville, MD and one year as an Assistant University Chaplain.

In 2016 Fr. Michael-Joseph entered initial formation with the Discalced Carmelites and made his first profession of vows in 2018. He studied Carmelite spirituality in both Ávila and Madrid, obtaining a License in Spiritual Theology from the Pontifical University of Comillas in 2022. He professed his final vows with the Carmelites in February of 2023.

In addition to appearing on Ascension Presents, Fr. Michael-Joseph is a member of the Institute of Carmelite Studies (ICS) and also a host of the ICS Publications podcast, Carmelcast. In his leisure time, he likes reading the Spanish mystics and hiking.

What Catholics are saying about Catholic Classics

4.9

Based on 900+ ratings on Apple Podcasts

Perfect

This podcast is the perfect companion to reading great Catholic books, the perfect way to spend a few moments of your day, the perfect way to grow closer to Christ and the perfect way to feed your soul! I am so grateful!

—Tranbe123

A Wonder Classic with Great Commentaries

I have read pieces and bits here and there of this book. Listening to this podcast was the perfect occasion to finally “read” it cover to cover. Not only is Ascension’s edition beautifully made with a wonderful, very understandable translation, the commentaries by the two Dominican priests (Fr. Gregory and Fr.. Jacob) help us have practical applications for our day to day life. This podcast is a must to keep your spiritual life nourished!

—Very73

Great Way to Read Spiritual Classics

I didn’t order the book until I heard the first episode because I have so many spiritual books I bought but never finished. Book’s now on order. It’s that good.

—Home at last

Excellent Concept!

Very excited for this podcast! Exactly what I need to tackle many Catholic classics on my shelf.

—SM1005

Never tired of growing in Christ

I purchased this book years ago as a recommendation from my spiritual guide. However only made it through a few chapters on my own . When I heard about this new podcast I was delighted to join and follow . I can’t say enough of how grateful to have this support to my spiritual journey. Thank you so much

—mary901

Thankful!

Thank you for creating this podcast. I’m learning so much about being devout and meditating on God and growing my love for Him.

—Eikejdjdnsjsnsjd