What happened? Did Fr. Mike change his mind on tattoos? Today Fr. Mike reveals his recent tattoo, why he got it, and why he’s not really happy about it.
Meet Fr. Mike Schmitz
Fr. Mike Schmitz serves as Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Duluth and as chaplain for the Newman Catholic Campus Ministry at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
He is a presenter in Ascension’s Chosen, Altaration, and The 99 programs, and has a channel on Ascension Presents. He is also the host of the Ascension podcasts The Bible in a Year and The Catechism in a Year.
Fr Mike – I believe you have to do what God calls you to do. Tattoo or not…you are reaching thousands of people Catholics and non-Catholics. As a lifelong Catholic (I’m 46) finding you on the Ascension app and following both the Bible in a year plus the Catechism in a year has been the best reset and immersion back into the faith. Thank you…and the fact you have a tattoo with the deep meaning pointing to Jesus…all the better. I have always liked tattoos (including the stories behind them) have never gotten myself but mostly because I would always question how permanent and would I want ‘that’ on me later….but Jesus…He never is a fad or fashion statement….He is everything and always. Great choice IMHO
I have 21 tattoos and I am Catholic. I pray the Rosary, Sacred Heart, give alms, help the poor, do not judge, attend Mass, treat others with Christian kindness, pray about everything, and all-in-all act as a better Catholic than the so-called Catholics that sit in the pew in back of me judging the tattoo on my shoulder. Isn’t Jesus the only one that should and can judge? I know “Catholics” who go to Mass on Sundays and then spend breakfast afterward talking about everybody they saw at Mass. So, let’s save the judgment for Jesus and stop trying to be “holier than thou.”
So sad that he decided to promote his tatoo! the bible says no. thats all there is to it. New testament says your body is your temple you dont grafitti it. I will pray for u fr.
Love your tattoos, go Jesus!
I’m surprised there are not more comments about this. I too have very mixed feelings about it but mostly negative. I am 63 years old and grateful I never gave into the previously counter cultural/ now cultural norm of getting a tattoo.
Does Fr. Mike still have his tattoo? 02/12/2023
Did you really need a tattoo to talk to strangers about Jesus? I talk to strangers about Jesus and don’t have a tattoo but I wear a beautiful Crucifix and my Miraculous medal which has beautiful gem stones around it. I feel disappointed that you got a tattoo after doing a video about why we shouldn’t get one and it spoke volumes but now I would bet feel comfortable showing that video to people. Sorry but it’s just how I feel.
OK, I know it’s dumb but I’m really struggling with this. There are so many things like this where you could ask 20 different priests and get 20 different answers. I heard an exorcist say regarding tatoos that it is a sin to desecrate the body. Your body is not yours, it belongs to God. Therefore it is not God’s will for you to damage it or put it at risk of harm needlessly. (I.e. the toxins in the ink, the risk of infection etc.) I realize that I am a Catholic nobody, at that my opinion doesn’t matter, but I am exhausted at us as Catholics not being on the same page about this stuff. Something cannot be true and not true at the same time. A thing can not be a sin and not be a sin at the same time. Ugh! It’s just so frustrating.
Hi Fr. Mike
I have watched this video on YouTube and I was wondering if you can get very extravagant haircuts. Like Mullets, Scullets or even a mohawk.
I would appreciate if you made a video on this.
I can’t help but feel a little sad that Father Mike got a tattoo. Tattoos are very cool, mainstream, and popular in today’s culture…and I always think of priests as the bastions of counterculture–ie being in the world but not of it. I know it’s a religious tattoo–but still…no.