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The Catholic Bible app that hosts the #1 'Bible in a Year' audio podcast with Fr. Mike Schmitz, plus the Catechism and reading plans.
Our verdict
Ascension's app is the home of the phenomenon that reintroduced a generation to daily Scripture: Fr. Mike Schmitz's Bible in a Year. Built around the Great Adventure Catholic Bible (using the RSV-2CE translation) and its color-coded Bible Timeline learning system, the app pairs the full Catholic canon with more than a thousand Q&A resources, 80-plus study plans from teachers like Fr. Mike and Dr. Edward Sri, and the record-setting Bible in a Year and Catechism in a Year podcast series. A 4.9-star average across more than 87,000 ratings tells you how deeply it resonates.
What sets it apart is how completely Catholic it is. Beyond Scripture, you get a full audio Rosary with multiple recorded voices in English and Latin, daily Mass readings with reflections, Saint of the Day entries tied to the liturgical calendar, and prayer experiences including novenas and lectio divina. Fr. Mike's warm narration and commentary anchor the whole thing, and much of it, including the Bible text, the daily Mass readings, the full Rosary, and most podcasts, is free. A premium subscription (about $8.99 a month or $59.99 a year) unlocks the deeper study library.
The honest framing is that this is a single-tradition app, and proudly so. If you are Protestant or want a wide shelf of translations to compare, this is not built for you, and the translation choice is fixed rather than a library. But judged as what it is, the flagship Catholic Bible and study companion, it is outstanding: cohesive, beautifully produced, and unrivaled for a Catholic reader who wants Scripture, catechesis, and prayer in one place.
How we scored it
Standout features
Great Adventure Bible
The full Catholic canon in the RSV-2CE, presented with the color-coded Bible Timeline learning system.
Bible in a Year
Fr. Mike Schmitz's landmark podcast that guides you through Scripture with daily narration and commentary.
Catechism in a Year
Fr. Mike and Jeff Cavins walk through the Catechism day by day, alongside 80+ other study plans.
Full audio Rosary
Pray along with multiple recorded voices in English and Latin, plus novenas and lectio divina.
Daily Mass readings
Each day's Mass readings with reflections from Catholic presenters, plus Saint of the Day entries.
Listen at your pace
Audio Bible and podcast content with adjustable playback speed for flexible daily engagement.
Pros & cons
✓ Pros
- Home of Fr. Mike Schmitz's Bible in a Year and Catechism in a Year
- Great Adventure Bible with the Bible Timeline learning system
- 80+ study plans plus a full audio Rosary and daily Mass readings
- Warm, high-quality narration and production throughout
- Generous free tier for a Catholic reader
– Cons
- Single Catholic translation; no wide version library to compare
- Deeper study content requires a premium subscription
- Built for the Catholic tradition, so a poor fit for Protestant readers
Best for
Catholic readers who want Scripture, the Catechism, prayer, and Fr. Mike's Bible in a Year in one app.
Look elsewhere if
You are Protestant or want a broad library of translations to compare side by side.
Pricing
How it compares
| Ascension: Catholic Bible | YouVersion Bible | Bible in One Year | Life Bible | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our score | 8.6 | 9.4 | 8.1 | 8.4 |
| Catholic canon & resources | Yes | Partial | No | Partial |
| Guided year-long plan | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Translation library | RSV-2CE | 2,000+ | Limited | 100+ |
| Free core content | Yes | Yes | Yes | Freemium |
FAQ
Is the Bible in a Year podcast on this app?
Yes. Ascension's app is the official home of Fr. Mike Schmitz's Bible in a Year, along with the companion Catechism in a Year series.
Which Bible translation does it use?
The Great Adventure Catholic Bible, which uses the Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition (RSV-2CE), paired with the Bible Timeline learning system.
Is the app free?
Much of it is, including the Bible text, Catechism, daily Mass readings, the full Rosary, and most podcasts. A premium subscription unlocks the deeper study library.
What does the premium subscription cost?
About $8.99 per month or $59.99 per year in the U.S., which unlocks the fuller catalog of study plans and resources.
Is this app only for Catholics?
It is designed specifically for the Catholic tradition, with the Catholic canon, Rosary, Mass readings, and saints. Protestant readers will likely prefer a broader Bible app.
