The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

Day 265: The Call to Holiness (2025)

September 22nd, 2025  |  14 mins 17 secs

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Each of us is called to holiness. As Fr. Mike puts it, we’re all called to the “heights of holiness.” No matter our station in life, we’re meant for ever greater union with Christ, devoting ourselves to the love of God and neighbor. The path of holiness also entails the Cross, self-denial, and the sacrifice that ultimately leads to peace. And as Fr. Mike reminds us, even if we stumble or fail, we know that we can, time after time, “begin again.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2012-2016.

Day 264: Man’s Merit (2025)

September 21st, 2025  |  15 mins 12 secs

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Knowing that our good actions begin and end in Christ, we recognize that man’s merit is due to God. Fr. Mike explains that charity in Christ is the source of all our merits. In this way, merit is pure grace, and we should look to the saints for examples of how to live this truth out. St. Thérèse of Lisieux puts it best when she prays to God: “In the evening of this life, I shall appear before you with empty hands.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2006-2011.

Day 263: Responding to Grace (2025)

September 20th, 2025  |  17 mins 34 secs

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God’s free initiative demands man’s free response. We continue our discussion of grace today by examining how grace and our free will interact in our lives. Fr. Mike also explains the purpose of sacramental graces and how the expression of these graces looks different across the Body of Christ. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2002-2005.

Day 262: Habitual and Actual Grace (2025)

September 19th, 2025  |  19 mins 38 secs

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Without God’s help, we can do nothing. The Catechism delves into grace today, explaining how grace works and helps us achieve our supernatural vocation to eternal life. Fr. Mike unpacks the difference between habitual and actual grace and reminds us that God is always the initiator of all our spiritual efforts. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1996-2001.

Day 261: Justification (2025)

September 18th, 2025  |  19 mins

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What does it mean to be justified? The Catechism teaches us today about the grace of the Holy Spirit and its power to justify us. Fr. Mike explains how justification detaches us from sin and purifies our hearts. We learn that justification brings about a marvelous inward transformation that bears witness to God's great mercy. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1987-1995.

Day 260: Summary of the Moral Law (2025)

September 17th, 2025  |  10 mins 45 secs

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In today’s “Nugget Day,” Fr. Mike reviews the significant takeaways that the Catechism teaches us about the moral law. Fr. Mike highlights that God has written the moral law in the depths of every human heart. Today’s In Brief section also reminds us that the moral law is a “fatherly instruction by God,” rooted in love and oriented towards our joy, freedom, and flourishing. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1975-1986.

Day 259: The New Commandment (2025)

September 16th, 2025  |  18 mins 46 secs

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We continue our examination of the New Law or Law of the Gospel, specifically the Golden Rule and New Commandment of Jesus. Fr. Mike emphasizes that the New Commandment requires us to love God as the center of everything we are and everything we have. He also unpacks how the New Commandment is also known as the law of love, grace, and freedom. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1970-1974.

Day 258: The New Law (2025)

September 15th, 2025  |  15 mins 50 secs

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Day 257: The Old Law (2025)

September 14th, 2025  |  12 mins 57 secs

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Day 256: The Natural Moral Law (2025)

September 13th, 2025  |  26 mins 16 secs

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Day 255: Human Solidarity (2025)

September 12th, 2025  |  16 mins 55 secs

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Day 254: Social Justice (2025)

September 11th, 2025  |  20 mins 34 secs

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Day 253: Participation in Public Life (2025)

September 10th, 2025  |  21 mins 51 secs

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Day 252: The Common Good (2025)

September 9th, 2025  |  18 mins 16 secs

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Day 251: Authorities in Society (2025)

September 8th, 2025  |  19 mins 15 secs

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The Catechism shows us that, in order for any good in society to last and flourish, legitimate authority must be instituted and respected by all. Furthermore, it is our duty as those under authority to obey those invested with authority. Fr. Mike acknowledges that most of us resist authority, but he bolsters the Catechism’s claim that legitimate authority in society is good and necessary. “Anarchy doesn’t work.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1897-1904.

Day 250: Conversion in Society (2025)

September 7th, 2025  |  22 mins 19 secs

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Before we can see outward changes for the good in society, there must be inward conversion in the hearts of its members, so says the Catechism. Fr. Mike highlights the fact that societies are made up of people with both body and soul—and the soul is often overlooked. Because we are broken, there is a “permanent need” for our conversion, and any society that fails to take this into account is doomed to do violence to human dignity. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1886-1896.