Ave Maria University Welcomes Fr. Mike Schmitz as 2024 Commencement Speaker
Ave Maria University was honored to welcome Fr. Mike Schmitz as the 2024 Commencement speaker! In his Commencement Address to the 2024 Ave Maria University graduates, renowned speaker and podcaster Fr. Mike Schmitz emphasized the importance of trusting in God and embracing His desire for us to be strong. “This is your bushwhacking moment,” Fr. Schmitz encouraged the graduates. “You got to this day, and the track runs out. This is the day you enter the wilderness.”
Fr. Mike Schmitz is the director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Duluth and serves as the Chaplain for the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Under his guidance, the Duluth Newman Center has thrived, focusing on sacraments, study, and knowledge of the Church. Fr. Schmitz has inspired thousands through his humble and Spirit-filled leadership, both locally and nationally. Additionally, Fr. Mike Schmitz hosts the widely popular podcasts "Bible in a Year" and "The Catechism in a Year" produced by Ascension. He also offers weekly homilies on iTunes, Hallow, and bulldogCatholic.org, and has appeared in programs for youth and young adults through Ascension Press, as well as regular short video messages on Ascension Presents.
0:00 Apology & Thank You
2:00 Bushwhacking
6:35 Back to Scripture
9:15 Is God a good father if we suffer?
10:35 Zamboni Parenting
12:30 God wants more for us.
14:00 Suffering is Necessary
14:50 Anti-fragile
17:00 Bushwhacking Grows Faith
20:00 Swimming Lessons
21:10 St. Maximilian Kolbe
23:40 Pick Your Spot
24:40 Preparation for Battle
26:00 Love just takes showing up...
29:25 Do what you have learned, and you will be blessed.
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Пікірлер: 123
I’m 63 years old and chose motherhood and the workforce over college, this speech has inspired me! Thank you father Mike. You are such a blessing to this new generation. A true voice of faith and hope. You are certainly bush whacking through the desert before the promised land, leading us home❤
I’m always in awe of how Father Mike ties in everything so perfectly when there seems to be no connection. I never tire of listening to him and learning from him. ♥️🙏🏽
Fr Mike deserves an honorary doctorate.
@AveMariaUniversityFL
12 күн бұрын
We were able to give him one, which we are so thankful for!
BEST commencement speech!! And I have listened to a bunch now! I have been married for almost 17 years, and am a mother of 8 kids. I needed to hear this! Thank you, Fr. Mike and thank you Ave Maria for inviting him to give this speech!
@peteschmit5407
18 күн бұрын
What a remarkable speech..Thank you!!
We were so honored to have Fr. Mike Schmitz from Bible in a Year and Catechism in a Year here for graduation. So inspiring and feeling ready to go into the wilderness!
@Ritabug34
Ай бұрын
Amazing speaker! I hope he speaks again say in 2028?
@dorishho3107
26 күн бұрын
😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅pppp0😊😊😊
@dorishho3107
26 күн бұрын
😊
@dorishho3107
26 күн бұрын
Llpp0@@Ritabug34
@JohnBrust
23 күн бұрын
May God’s blessings overflow for all of this year’s Ave Maria University graduates.... with full gratitude to the good and holy Fr. Mike Schmitz. 🤍🔥🙏🏻 I am praying for you all right now.
Easily the best commencement speech of them all in 2024.
Fr Mike, I am your avid listener. In my 69 years , i just realized truly how good the Father is leaving me in wilderness to do bushwacking. Your speech made me see clearly what a tremendous beyond words how good is our Father. You are his instrument to make me see that. Thank you.
Another Excellent Catholic commencement speech. All praise and glory to God!🙏🙌🙏💝
@susanparker767
18 күн бұрын
Amen 🙏🏼
Father Mike, you are a blessing to all of us. I am 50 years beyond my college graduation and I needed to hear your works. Thank you.
I say this all the time, but honestly, Father Mike is God's personal cheerleader.
@ruthortega5822
Күн бұрын
For sure!! The best.
This commencement speech is now #1.
As I listen to this commencement speech, my mom has just been admitted to Hospice at Home care and I am left with hope that after she goes home to God, I will able to attend Ave Maria University to work toward a Masters in Theology.
@dorotheaivanovna9457
26 күн бұрын
May Holy Mary stand beside your dear mother and you in these difficult days. 🙏 ❤
@priscillaconlon3385
26 күн бұрын
@@dorotheaivanovna9457 Thank you.
@dorotheaivanovna9457
26 күн бұрын
@@priscillaconlon3385 When my sister was dying, a Chaplet of the Divine Mercy was spoken at her bedside just hours before she passed away peacefully. I believe this will help your mother to pass peacefully into the Nearer Presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. Praying for you now.
@priscillaconlon3385
26 күн бұрын
@@dorotheaivanovna9457 Thank you so much for your prayers, they truly help. I have been saying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy since 2020 when I first encountered it, but now I say it with the intention of my mom's peaceful passing. The Doctors have said she may be in this twilight stage for a month or even a year so we are at home where she is most comfortable.
@kathywiens9852
26 күн бұрын
I will include your mom in my Chaplet today.🙏🤲🙏💕💝
Father Mike, I have been following you for about 2 years now. I did the BIAY, the Cathechism in year once and am now doing it again. I have heard your wonderful homilies, masses, speaches and have just listened to the commencement speech. It brought me to tears, especially speaking about your mom. You have been so strong through her illness and her ultimate death. God bless you and keep you going strong in your ministry. I will listen to you until I can no longer do so. I must remember "one day at a time".
I'm way past college graduation yet this speech was just what I needed in my life right now. I realize now why God is challenging me... and I must have courage. Thank you Oh Lord for the inspiring words through Fr. Mike. Thank you Ave Maria for choosing Fr. Mike.
Fr. Mike is a gifted speaker. What a great commencement speech.
Best commencement speech ever. What a great message. I was there. My grandson graduated and is entering seminary. Thank you Fr. Mike. I’ve shared this with many friends.
It was in the wilderness that I found out how much God really loves us! "No pain...no gain."
Love is just showing up. Thank you!
Who talks as fast as this great priest? No one. Only the folks who talk at the end of car commercials. Love him.
Awesome speech Father Mike! You are a blessing to us all! 😊
Yes indeed, this is so far the best of Commencement Addresses! Shows real scholarship! This bushwhacking continues till the end of life. This graduates are very very blessed!
Fr. Mike is incredible. I love both the BIAY and CIAY. I also enjoy his mini videos about certain subject matters.
God bless you Fr. Mike! Inspiring and beautiful words for all graduates throughout the world. 🙏🏽❤️🕊️🌈😘
You never disappoint. I will see you in August. You are not old you aren’t even 50.
As always Father was awesome! He is going to be in demand next graduation season!!!
Father Mike, You are an inspiration! You have given these young people (as well as us old folk) something to remember always. God's Blessings!🙏🙏🙏
I graduated from college 6 years ago and really needed to hear this 🤍
Fr. Mike you are such an amazing speaker
May God continue to bless you, Father Mike.
I I love this guy sooooooo much !!!!
God bless you Fr. Mike , great speech for all !
What a commencement speech. My wife and I established a nursing scholarship in my daughters name at Ave Maria. The lyrics of song Ave Maria: "Ave Maria, full of thanksgiving Maria, full of thanksgiving Maria, full of thanksgiving, Ave Ave God, Your God" Amen
Best commencement ever. Memorable and practical.
Congratulations to the graduates of Ave Maria college, and God bless you, Fr. Mike, you are a treasure!
Excellent and remember this is A Man of God speaking to YOU❤
My mom a stay at home, hated cooking and her food was dry and bland too. But…she constantly complained about it. So the fact you felt love through that was a gift.
Father Mike, that was outstanding. The bit about your mom’s cooking really touched my heart to the point of tears. Thank you for such a beautiful reminder that God wants more for us than we want for ourselves and hardship only makes us more resilient and allows us to grow closer to our heavenly Father
Yes! So many gifts of sacrifices from so many. Thanks be to God for the gift of perseverance.
Thank you Fr. Schmitz Excellent speech.
Best speech ever, I wish I heard this at my graduation. Fr. Mike is awesome, so full of joy and the Spirit.
Very good speech, Father Mike! Thank you for everything you do. Lucky kids!
I've been listening to Father Mike everyday on the Bible in a year podcast, he has helped me get closer to Jesus than ever and closer to my guardian angel. God bless him. He is brilliant.
@reginakennekk7551
28 күн бұрын
Beautiful course I have done it twice
Wow what an inspiring speech for a commencement program. Lots of “food for thought “ to ponder
I’ve been dreaming of going to this college for so long and now I want to go more!!
Amazing speech Fr. Mike, keep doing the work, the world needs it!
Thank you, AGAIN, Fr. Mike!
@michelleharkness7549
29 күн бұрын
love ❤️
Father Mike, Such an inspirational Graduation Speech! You gave us all something to remember always! God's Blessings!🙏🙏🙏
Beautiful, spiritual, amazing, this is the type of Commencement every graduating class needs. ❤️🙏🏼👏🏼
Great commencement speech
I just watched an awesome commencement speech! Amen father you said what every one of those students needed to hear. I pray that they understand what a blessing these words will be. Congratulations to Ave from Texas
God bless you From Anna in Australia
Thank you Fr. Mike!
Bushwhacking - my new favorite word! In you Lord, I put my trust Psalm 25:1
Wonderful message for all to hear
Father you always touch our hearts. God bless you. Thank you for your words always! 🙏🏼❤️
Powerful message
Great talk and full of wisdom! God be with you always, Fr Mike. Claire.
Amazing speaker!
St. Paul ch. 14! So inspiring! TY❤
That was beautiful
Wow Father Mike the send off we all need
Excellent words
Fantastic commencement address!
Amazing!!!❤
Thank you father mike. You are truly blessed.
Inspiring , great speech, Fr Mike !
Great!
Excellent speech!!
Love you Father Mike ❤
So, so good and truely inspiring ! Thank you Father Mike!!!
You are sooo good! Omg I’m blessed I get to listen to you
Amen ❤️ 🙏
Best speech I’ve ever heard. So good!
Profound message!
Excellent
Beautiful speech, Father Mike 👏
So Very Good! ❤❤❤
your great
Thank you for sharing, so true😂😊❤
AMEN ..wow
Wow!
I needed to hear this today
🕊🙏
❤
Ye of little faith, would I persevere and bring somebody abusive on a trek with me, Or know my abilities I'm capable of coming up with something,
No, it's no panic, your not everyone else, Even if you've made it to your grad school or whatever you call it there,
No hay intérprete ni subtítulos cómo soy Persona Sorda
So, who is the winner here? Sorry, Which person actually wins here? It's maybe not what the artist would fund.
Better than Butker's speech
@kathywiens9852
26 күн бұрын
I'd say different, but both excellent for Catholic universities. Wish it'd go viral like Butker's did. Lots to reflect on and take to heart.
It's normal that your standing there and the things aren't there because your standing there, Like, I know to don't stand there for example, This heaven your chasing is this more in your mind, that you can't see you've destroyed it?
You can confuse this and just say 'get out of your house',..?
great speech....................shave that beard..............you're not 'old' but the beard ages you by at least 25 years..............
@barbarawalsh2875
29 күн бұрын
Not a fan of this, but I see is a sloppy beard. It just kind of looks like he didn’t shave for a couple of days I expected since he was at a graduation speaking that he would be clean-shaven. But to each their own, I actually like his full beard during the winter. But I think he takes better care of it. I have no idea I’m not a fly on the wall just a guess thank God it doesn’t affect the way he speaks, or when he smiles because it just lights up the room even though I know they were outside.
So, you want to create me a new boss everyday?
GET OUT OF YOUR HOUSE? TELL GOD, GET OUT OF YOUR HOUSE,...
Yeah but the flavours stink after years. My house smells like hospital food sometimes for a reason.
He's too ADHD for me!
Today I only hear cors of bitterness from them, Or you could all ask them to leave please. It's your church not his.
You have such little faith that we don't come up with anything.