Unshakeable: Building a Life of Virtue in a World of Chaos

by Fr. Mike Schmitz

What if the key to changing your life for the better was already within your reach?
In Building a Life of Virtue in a World of Chaos, Fr. Mike Schmitz reveals the life-changing power of virtue and inspires readers to become more like Jesus every single day. This book guides readers on a journey through 15 essential virtues, showing them how each one can deepen their faith, bring them closer to God, and change their lives for the better.

 

Fr. Mike shows how cultivating virtues like humility, loyalty, and joy can transform your relationships, decisions, and outlook on life. You’ll also discover how the timeless cardinal virtues—prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude—and the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love offer a roadmap for navigating today’s challenges with courage and clarity.
In Unshakeable, readers will

 

-Ways to understand and embrace the theological virtues—faith, hope, and love—in everyday life
-How to practice the four cardinal virtues—prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance—every day
-Tips on building character traits like loyalty and generosity that can transform relationships and habits
-Practical advice and challenges to grow in virtue
-Inspiring stories of saints and ordinary people living out these virtues

 

Through relatable examples and practical advice, Fr. Mike provides an inspiring guide for anyone looking to grow in holiness. Whether readers are just beginning their journey or seeking to deepen their spiritual life, this book will help to cultivate virtues that will enable them to stand steadfast with the unshakeable power of grace.

Genres: Religion, Faith, Nonfiction

152 pages

Published August 1, 2025

Reviews

[Olga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fr. Mike Schmitz gives us Unshakeable: Building a Life of Virtue in a World of Chaos not as a platter of rules but as a map back to what we were made for - steadfastness, not perfection. 


He invites, rather than condemns.


He names 15 virtues we need if we want to stand firm in stormy times. Humility, fortitude, loyalty, joy - virtues that often feel quaint or old-fashioned. And yet he shows them living, breathing, real in saint lives, in broken lives, in everyday choices.


What I loved: the balance. His tone is affectionate, his logic sharp. He doesn’t ask you to believe blindly. He shows you paths, tools, reflections. He draws from Scripture, from Church tradition, from the messy lives of real Christians trying to follow.


Sometimes the chapters felt short—almost too light to carry such weight. In a book about virtue I wished for more depth in certain places, more wrestling with the dark side of virtue when it’s tested. But perhaps that’s the point - virtue is forged by trials, not smooth sermons.


This is not a book only for saints or for the “already faithful.” It is for the disoriented, the doubting, the souls who wake up anxious and wonder whether stability is possible.


4.5 stars. A gift. If you hunger for holiness in chaos, this book will help you anchor in Christ.

[Cody Hawkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is exactly like Matthew Kelly yet somehow better than Matthew Kelly

Similarities:
- extremely clear and accessible prose
- broad treatment of deep issues (virtue, life, etc)
- motivational and edifying... "punchy"

Differences
- more grounded, slightly confrontational (challenges the reader, doesn't try to smooth everything over)
- doesn't offer pithy routines or life "hacks"
- anecdotes are chosen carefully, some serious and some light, but all cut to the heart of each topic
- author's credentials as a working priest are more solid than Kelly's, a "professional speaker"

Like Schmitz's other book "How To Make Great Decisions" there's both a refreshing clarity and brevity (does it really take 300+ pages to explain the essence of prudence, etc) but also a certain lack of cohesion, or narrative thread. He doesn't tie it all together at any point. And occasionally the brevity is slightly disappointing--I want to know more of what happened with some of these stories. More examples of virtue in action. Just slightly more depth. But I get it. If you want a quick edifying read and sanity check on living a virtuous life, this is a good place to start.

PS the typeface for the quoted books from CS Lewis etc is terrible... poor styling choice, hard to read. Just use italics or something next time

[Andrew Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Message written in Fr. Mike's Voice

This was a good book with a great message. Ultimately, the message and the meaning in the book are what matter most.

As far as the writing goes, sometimes the message feels a little bit disjointed and it doesn't flow from one chapter to the other and necessarily, but I did enjoy it. My enjoyment of the book is probably heavily biased because I have consumed a lot of media from father Mike Schmidt. Because of this I was able to read it in his voice. I understand the cadence and emphasis that he would put on a lot of a lot of it. I think that his delivery is more powerful than my reading and because of that some readers may may not love the prose.

[Suellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars • Unshakeable by Fr. Mike Schmitz is a practical Catholic guide to staying steady and joyful in chaotic times. True peace comes from growing in virtue—becoming more like Christ—through grace, not from changing circumstances. Fr. Mike covers virtues like faith, hope, charity; prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance; plus humility, generosity, loyalty, joy, and more. With clear teaching, saint stories, humor, and simple steps, it shows how to build virtuous habits and replace vices.

#Unshakeable #FrMikeSchmitz #Bookish #suvataReads

[Bob Melrose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book for anyone regardless of their Christian denomination

Fr. Mike Schmitz has written a book that speaks to the heart of faith and the love that God has for all of us.

Please do not deny yourself the pleasure of reading this simply because it has a Catholic author. Fr. Mike breaks down how we should live our faith which is universal for all Christians.

Read this book to have your faith renewed, strengthen, and become unshakeable.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will probably be my favorite book I read this year. Absolutely amazing! So many nuggets of wisdom and lessons. Some of the questions asked or points of thought presented truly help you look inward and see what you can be doing better to grow in virtue and thereby closer to God. A book I will come back to time and time again.

[Virginia Roberge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

Father Mike Schmitz breaks down difficult virtues into easy to understand bite size pieces. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to read this book and highly recommend it.

[Shelby Hickman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book caught me off guard! I love Father Mike, so I was expecting to enjoy it. However, it was so much better than I expected. His writing is clear and intentional. An amazing book for anyone feeling convicted to live out their faith in a deeper way!

[Caitlin Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Moving and inspiring by Fr Mike on how we can live out the virtues with each one broken down. Nice quick read for anyone trying to live a life following Christ and improve themselves for God and others

[Janet Goss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book and thought it was wonderful, but I love father Mike and his sermons. I’m going to give this book to a great friend who will love it as much as I did.

[Ivette Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here I am...

Father Mike shows us how to confront the vices that try to leads us astray and gives us practical ways to trade those vices with true virtue.

[Ann Singer-Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love Father Mike! He is so relatable and inspiring. This book was an easy read and so uplifting.

[Karan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great look at faith

Great book, unshakeable faith, we long for it. Father Mike helps us to understand the need for unshakeable faith .

[Tanya Elsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent reading for today

This book gives a lot to think about. It gives wonderful examples so they are easily to understand. No matter if you are catholic or not.

[Richard Littel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This work is the type of book that causes you to examine one’s life, approach to others and relationship with God. Not bad for a fairly short book. :)

[Katie George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Father Mike is the best! Loved this book.