The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Episode Archive
Episode Archive
867 episodes of The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) since the first episode, which aired on October 7th, 2022.
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Day 223: Differences in Religion in Marriage
August 11th, 2023 | 17 mins 35 secs
catholic marriage, differences in religion in marriage, disparity of cult, marriage, marrying non-catholics, mixed marriages
Can a Catholic marry a baptized non-Catholic or a non-baptized person? Fr. Mike breaks down the Church’s teaching on mixed marriages and disparity of cult. The Catechism teaches us that while a difference in religion “does not constitute an insurmountable obstacle for marriage,” it can often be a source of tension in marriage and present significant challenges when raising a family. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1625-1632.
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Day 222: Matrimonial Consent
August 10th, 2023 | 22 mins 45 secs
annulling marriage, annulment, catholic marriage, marriage, marriage formation, marriage preparation, married in a church, martial embrace, matrimonial consent
Matrimonial consent is an indispensable element of the Sacrament of Marriage. Fr. Mike explains why it is essential for those entering marriage to express their consent freely and why in the Church’s eyes, “if consent is lacking, there is no marriage.” Fr. Mike also guides us through the Church’s teaching on annulment and clarifies why it can be complex. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1625-1632.
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Day 221: The Celebration of Marriage
August 9th, 2023 | 16 mins 8 secs
catholic marriage, catholic wedding, celebration of marriage, celibacy, eunuchs, marriage liturgy, marriage prayers, matrimony, sacrament of marriage, virginity for the sake of the kingdom
What does a Catholic wedding look like? Today, we dive into the liturgical celebration of marriage and learn that the celebration must be valid, worthy, and fruitful. Additionally, we briefly cover virginity for the sake of the Kingdom and how this particular call highlights the beauty and goodness of marriage. Fr. Mike emphasizes that those who are called to a life of celibacy can truly live joyful and fulfilling lives. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1618-1624.
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Day 220: Marriage in the New Covenant
August 8th, 2023 | 22 mins 7 secs
catholic marriage, christian marriage, covenant of marriage, jesus teaching on marriage, marriage, marriage bond, marriage in the bible, new covenant, sacrament of marriage, union of man and woman
How is the meaning of marriage different in the New Covenant? The Catechism teaches us today that Christ elevates the gift of marriage to a sacrament and restores the original order of this powerful union between man and woman. Fr. Mike explains why marriage looked different in the Old Covenant and how God was preparing his chosen people throughout time to accept Christ’s law of marriage. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1609-1617.
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Day 219: Marriage in God’s Plan
August 7th, 2023 | 20 mins 50 secs
education, family, holy matrimony, marriage, offspring, partnership, procreation, sacraments, spouses
Together, with Fr. Mike, we begin the section on the sacrament of holy Matrimony. We unpack two elements of the sacrament, namely marriage in the order of creation and marriage under the regime of sin. Fr. Mike emphasizes that marriage is a partnership between man and woman that is oriented towards the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1601-1608.
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Day 218: Summary of Holy Orders
August 6th, 2023 | 15 mins 8 secs
bishops, celibacy, deacons, holy orders, ordination, presbyters, priests, sacraments
Together, with Fr. Mike, we reach the conclusion and “nugget day” for the section on the sacrament of Holy Orders. Fr. Mike reiterates that all three degrees of the sacrament are a longed for element of the “priestly people.” They are those called to go before God and before his people as a mediator. Fr. Mike also explains that for those who are not called to either “sacrament of service”, Holy Orders or Matrimony, we are all called “to be able to rejoice with those who have received gifts.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1590-1600.
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Day 217: The Effects of Holy Orders
August 5th, 2023 | 18 mins 27 secs
effects, grace of strength, holy orders, indelible spiritual character, indelible spiritual mark, sacraments
Together, with Fr. Mike, we examine the effects of the sacrament of Holy Orders. Fr. Mike emphasizes that once a man is ordained a priest, he is always a priest because he receives an indelible spiritual mark. He also emphasizes that Holy Orders is a sacrament of service. The effects of the sacrament configure him in such a way that he is best able to serve the Church. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1581-1589.
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Day 216: Who Receives Holy Orders
August 4th, 2023 | 24 mins 49 secs
bishop, celibacy, deacon, holy orders, men, priest, sacraments, vocations
We continue our examination of the sacrament of Holy Orders. Specifically, we explore exactly who can receive the sacrament of Holy Orders. Fr. Mike emphasizes that only a baptized man can receive the “sacred ordination”. He then unpacks exactly why the ordination of women is not possible. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1577-1580.
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Day 215: Deacons and the Diaconate
August 3rd, 2023 | 13 mins 31 secs
bishop, deacons, diaconate, holy orders, ordination, permanent diaconate
Together, with Fr. Mike, we examine the ordination of deacons and the diaconate. Fr. Mike unpacks each of the essential elements of the rite of the ordination of deacons as well as each of the tasks of the deacon. He emphasizes that only a validly ordained bishop can validly confer the sacrament of Holy Orders. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1569-1576.
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Day 214: Priests and the Presbyterate
August 2nd, 2023 | 18 mins 45 secs
co-workers, episcopal college, eucharistic assembly, eucharistic cult, holy orders, ordination, presbyterate, presbyterium, priest, priesthood, rite of ordination, sacerdotal, sacerdotal college, sacrament, sacrament of order, sacramental brotherhood, synaxis, the gospel
The Catechism moves on from bishops—the episcopacy—to priests in the presbyterate, who share in the bishop’s ministry “in a subordinate degree”, to be “co-workers”. Fr. Mike dives deep into the service-leadership that priests are called to. “[A priest’s] whole life must be configured and must be conformed to Jesus Christ the high priest.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1562-1568.
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Day 213: Bishops and the Episcopacy
August 1st, 2023 | 16 mins 37 secs
acme, bishop, bishop of rome, college, collegial, consecration, deacon, diaconate, episcopacy, episcopal, hierarchical communion, high priesthood, holy orders, in eius persona agant, minister, ministry, ordination, presbyterate, priest, sacerdos, sacrament, summa, three degrees
There are three degrees within the sacrament of Holy Orders: the episcopacy (bishops), the presbyterate (priests), and the diaconate (deacons). The Catechism begins unpacking ordination with the bishops. Fr. Mike speaks on the special role that bishops play in the life of the Church. Today’s readings are from Catechism paragraphs 1554-1561.
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Day 212: In Persona Christi
July 31st, 2023 | 20 mins 3 secs
baptismal priesthood, bishop, boys adrift, caput et membra, common priesthood, hierarchical priesthood, high priest, holy orders, in persona christi capitis, king, mediator, minister, ministerial priesthood, ordained minister, priest, priesthood, priestly, prophet, sacrament, sacred power, two participations in the one priesthood of christ, typos you patros
The Catechism unpacks—by way of comparison—the “two participations in the one priesthood of Christ”: the common priesthood of all the faithful and the ministerial (or hierarchical) priesthood of the bishops and priests. Fr. Mike hones in on the ministerial priesthood as a means for Jesus to minister to his Church. His ministers act on his behalf in persona Christi Capitis: in the person of Christ, the Head. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1546-1553.
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Day 211: The One Priesthood of Christ
July 30th, 2023 | 17 mins 8 secs
bishops, chosen people, consecration, consecratory, deacons, economy of salvation, levi, levites, mediator, melchizedek, ministers, ministry, new covenant, new testament, old covenant, old testament, ordination, prefigure, prefigured, prefigurement, priesthood, priesthood of aaron, priesthood of christ, priests, sacrament of holy orders, true priest, type, typology
The priesthood of the Old Covenant among the people of Israel is fulfilled in the one priesthood of Christ. The Catechism compares the Old Testament priesthood, “powerless to bring about salvation,” with the ordained ministry in the New Covenant. Fr. Mike unpacks the reality that there is only one true priest—Jesus Christ. His “priests” on earth are humble ministers. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1539-1545.
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Day 210: The Sacrament of Holy Orders
July 29th, 2023 | 17 mins 23 secs
apostles, apostolic ministry, article 6, chapter 3, consecrated, consecratio, consecration, diaconate, episcopate, holy orders, laying on of hands, marriage, matrimony, ordinatio, ordination, ordo, presbyterate, sacra potestas, sacraments at the service of communion, sacraments of holy orders, sacred power
The Catechism enters Chapter Three on the “Sacraments at the Service of Communion” which include both Holy Orders and Matrimony. As it introduces the sacrament of Holy Orders, Fr. Mike reminds us that every vocation is a gift, and that—no matter what state of life we are in or have been called to—we should read this chapter with an open heart and a grateful spirit. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1533-1538.
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Day 209: Summary of the Anointing of the Sick
July 28th, 2023 | 13 mins 8 secs
death, forgiveness, healing, heaven, hope, sickness, strength
This summary of the Catechism’s teaching about the Anointing of the Sick is concise and rich. This holy anointing brings us hope and courage as we endure illness and the difficulties of old age. While we pray for healing of body and soul, this sacrament also prepares us for death. Fr. Mike ends this episode by explaining three practices of the Church that help her members prepare for death. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1526-1532.
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Day 208: Completing the Earthly Pilgrimage
July 27th, 2023 | 16 mins 36 secs
death, healing, heaven, life, pilgrimage, resurrection, sickness
The effects of the Anointing of the Sick are numerous and deeply transformative. In times of great need and temptation, this sacrament brings us strength, courage, peace, and the forgiveness of sins. Fr. Mike explains that these effects aren’t only for the individual recipient but for the whole ecclesial community. We learn that when a person approaches the threshold of death, joining this anointing with Reconciliation and the Eucharist as viaticum constitute “the sacraments that complete the earthly pilgrimage.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1520-1525.