‘Bible in a Year’ podcast tops charts

(CNA) – Father Mike Schmitz recently marked two major milestones, on consecutive days.

On Dec. 31, listeners to “The Bible in a Year (with Father Mike Schmitz)”  were able to hear the 365th and final episode of the hugely popular podcast, as Father Schmitz wrapped up the last verses of the Book of Revelation.

The following day, Jan. 1, brought a revelation of a different sort: “Bible in a Year” stood atop the charts as the No. 1 overall podcast in the U.S.

That’s an impressive achievement, considering Father Schmitz’s podcast bested such well-known competitors as “Crime Junkie,” “Dateline NBC” and “The Daily.”

“That’s amazing,” Father Schmitz, 47, a priest of the Diocese of Duluth, said in a recent interview with EWTN Nightly News anchor Tracy Sabol. “That’s such a testimony to people’s faithfulness and their hunger” for God.

This is the podcast’s second stint at the top of the Apple podcast charts. After the show’s launch in January 2021, it held the No. 1 position in all podcast categories from Jan. 2–18, 2021, something no religious podcast had ever done.

“We are overwhelmed by the staggering response to this podcast,” Matthew Pinto, founder and president of Ascension, said in a statement earlier this month.

“People are hungry for God, and we’re honored to help them encounter God’s word through a daily podcast, especially as so many of us continue to be cut off from our parishes, communities and loved ones during these difficult days.”