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

Episode Archive

Episode Archive

635 episodes of The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) since the first episode, which aired on October 7th, 2022.

  • Day 152: Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi (2024)

    May 31st, 2024  |  16 mins 42 secs
    baptism, baptizing, evangelization, evangelize, law of faith, law of prayer, lex credendi, lex orandi, make disciples, sacrament, sacramental mission, sacraments, sacraments of faith

    The Catechism makes clear to us that evangelization and the sacraments go hand in hand. An ancient saying is highlighted, linking the two: lex orandi, lex credendi—or, the law of prayer is the law of faith. Fr. Mike illustrates this connection by showing us that, when you change the sign that points to an invisible reality, you risk changing where it’s pointing. This is why “no sacramental rite may be modified or manipulated at the will of the minister or the community.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1122-1126.

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    Day 151: The Seven Sacraments (2024)

    May 30th, 2024  |  14 mins 37 secs
    anointing of the sick, article 2, baptism, baptismal priesthood, church’s sacraments, confirmation, eucharist, holy orders, masterworks of god, matrimony, ministerial priesthood, new covenant, ordained priesthood, paschal mystery, penance, sacraments of christ, sacraments of faith, sacraments of the church, seven sacraments

    The Catechism introduces the seven sacraments that Christ offers the Church: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. The Catechism highlights the fact that the sacraments are “by the Church” because the Church is “Christ’s action at work”, and they are “for the Church” because they “manifest and communicate to men…the mystery of communion with the God who is love.” Fr. Mike focuses on the fact that while ministerial priests administer many of the sacraments, their priesthood is at the service of the baptismal priesthood, into which all of the baptized are ordained. Today’s readings are from Catechism paragraphs 1113-1121.

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    Day 150: The Epiclesis (2024)

    May 29th, 2024  |  12 mins 58 secs
    advocate, anamnesis, blood of christ, body of christ, communion, communion of the holy spirit, epiclesis, eucharist, holy spirit, liturgy, paraclete, paschal mystery, sacrament, sacramental, sanctifier, transubstantiation

    At the heart of the Liturgy of the Eucharist is the epiclesis, when the priest begs the Holy Spirit to come and transform the bread and wine into the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ. The Catechism explains this mysterious reality, and Fr. Mike reiterates that the Mass is not a repetition of Christ’s once-and-for-all sacrifice, but a re-presentation and celebration of his eternal sacrifice on the Cross. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1104-1112.

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    Day 149: The Holy Spirit Recalls Christ’s Mystery (2024)

    May 28th, 2024  |  14 mins 9 secs
    anamnesis, holy spirit, liturgy, memorial, mystery of christ, sacred scripture

    Fr. Mike examines how the Holy Spirit recalls the mystery of Christ. We explore how the Holy Spirit both inspires the Word of God and recalls the Word of God. Fr. Mike emphasizes that it is the Holy Spirit that helps us hear and understand God’s Word. It is the Holy Spirit that helps elicit a response of consent and commitment within us. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1099-1103.

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    Day 148: The Holy Spirit’s Work in the Liturgy (2024)

    May 27th, 2024  |  18 mins 48 secs
    christian liturgy, holy spirit, jewish liturgy, liturgy, new covenant, old covenant, prefiguration, sacraments, typology

    Together, with Fr. Mike, we continue our examination of the sacramental economy, specifically the Holy Spirit’s work in the liturgy. Fr. Mike emphasizes that what Jesus makes possible, the Holy Spirit makes actual. We are made to live in the life of the risen Christ and that is what the Spirit brings about in us. Fr. Mike concludes with a reflection on the importance of understanding that the Christian Liturgy springs from and fulfills the Jewish Liturgy. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1091-1098.

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    Day 147: Christ’s Work in the Liturgy (2024)

    May 26th, 2024  |  17 mins 24 secs
    christ’s death, christ’s life, christ’s resurrection, efficacious, liturgy, paschal mystery, sacraments

    We continue our examination of Christ’s acts through the sacraments that he instituted. Fr. Mike emphasizes the importance of understanding that the sacraments are sacred signs that “make present efficaciously the grace they signify.” The sacraments specifically signify the Paschal mystery, Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. We also explore how the Paschal mystery cannot remain in the past. Though it occurred in time, it transcends all time and is made present in all time. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1084-1090.

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    Day 146: The Father’s Work in the Liturgy (2024)

    May 25th, 2024  |  16 mins 33 secs
    blessing, liturgy, paschal mystery, sacramental economy, sacraments

    Together, we begin Section One on the sacramental economy. Fr. Mike emphasizes that the sacramental economy is both what God has done for us and how we should participate in it. He also emphasizes the blessings we receive from the sacraments through the Father. We conclude with an examination on the dual dimension of the sacramental liturgy, that while we are praising the Father, we are praising the Father with his own gift, his own Son. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1076-1083.

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    Day 145: Introduction to the Liturgy (2024)

    May 24th, 2024  |  16 mins 41 secs
    community, grace, liturgy, sacraments, worship

    Together, with Fr. Mike, we begin the section of the Catechism examining the liturgy. We start with an exploration of the questions of “why” the liturgy and “what” the liturgy is. Fr. Mike explains that it is through the liturgy that we are able to encounter the grace that Jesus Christ has won for us. He emphasizes that it is the liturgy that gives us access to God, himself. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1066-1075.

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    Day 144: How We Worship (Part 2 Introduction with Bishop Andrew Cozzens) (2024)

    May 23rd, 2024  |  46 mins 12 secs
    bishop andrew cozzens, healing, how we worship, initiation, part 2, pillar 2, service, the celebration, the celebration of the christian mystery, the liturgy, the mystery, the sacraments

    Part 2 of the Catechism—the Second Pillar—is about “how we worship” through the Liturgy and the sacraments. Fr. Mike sits down with Bishop Andrew Cozzens to discuss the significance of the way we worship God and how Jesus meets us in the sacraments.

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    Day 143: Amen (2024)

    May 22nd, 2024  |  16 mins 8 secs
    amen, belief, death, grace, judgment

    Congratulations, we have come to the conclusion of Part One of the Catechism! Fr. Mike reviews the last “nugget” section on death and judgment, inviting us to regularly ponder the moment of our own death and judgment before our Lord. We conclude today with an explanation of the meaning of the word “amen” and the significance it has for our belief in God. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1051-1065.

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    Day 142: The New Heaven and the New Earth (2024)

    May 21st, 2024  |  15 mins 58 secs
    creation, end of time, fullness of time, kingdom of god, last judgment, new earth, new heaven, redemption of creation

    What will happen to humanity and the entire universe at the end of time? Fr. Mike shares with us the joyous hope of the new heaven and the new earth that awaits us after the Last Judgment. We learn that “at the end of time, the Kingdom of God will come in its fullness,” and all of creation will be redeemed and renewed. There will be no more weeping, mourning, nor pain, for death shall be no more. Fr. Mike invites us to hold on to this hope as we struggle on this side of heaven and await this great promise. Today’s Catechism readings are paragraphs 1042-1050.

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    Day 141: The Last Judgment (2024)

    May 20th, 2024  |  16 mins 39 secs
    conversion, end of time, end times, eternity, final judgment, judging souls, last judgment, resurrection

    We delve into the cosmic event that will take place at the end of time known as the Last Judgment. Fr. Mike explains the difference between the Last Judgment and our particular judgment at the time of our death. We learn that the Last Judgment will reveal the consequences of all our actions and how God’s justice triumphs over all the injustices we’ve committed and suffered. Fr. Mike emphasizes that the message of the Last Judgment is ultimately one of hope and conversion. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1038-1041.

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    Day 140: Purgatory and Hell (2024)

    May 19th, 2024  |  21 mins 15 secs
    death, eternal fire, eternity, gehenna, hell, holiness, purgatory, purification, salvation, sanctification

    Why do purgatory and hell exist? The Catechism teaches us today about the existence and the meaning of purgatory and hell. We learn that purgatory is a transitional state of purification while hell is the state of permanent separation from God. Fr. Mike reminds us that nobody drifts into heaven because “we cannot be united to God unless we freely choose to love him.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1030-1037.

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    Day 139: I Believe in Life Everlasting (2024)

    May 18th, 2024  |  18 mins 12 secs
    death, heaven, hell, judgment, particular judgment

    Together, with Fr. Mike, we explore what happens to us at and after the moment of our death. We examine the importance of understanding that the Christian, who unites his death with Christ Jesus, takes a step towards Christ in everlasting life. Fr. Mike emphasizes that we have an active choice in our journey to our Father in heaven. We should not simply desire Heaven, but actively choose it. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1020-1029.

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    Day 138: Summary of the Resurrection of the Body (2024)

    May 17th, 2024  |  14 mins 48 secs
    christian vision of death, death, dying, happy death, hour of death, resurrection, st. joseph

    Together, with Fr. Mike, we arrive at the “nugget day” or summary for the Catechism paragraphs on the Resurrection and the Christian vision of death. Fr. Mike emphasizes that in the face of death, we must not grieve as though we have no hope. He also points out the importance of preparing for the hour of our death. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1012-1019.

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    Day 137: Dying in Christ Jesus (2024)

    May 16th, 2024  |  16 mins 56 secs
    christian death, conquer death, death, dying, dying in christ

    Fr. Mike examines the mystery of death and dying in Christ. Together, we explore the reality that in order to live with Christ, we must first die with Christ. Fr. Mike emphasizes that Christ accepted death in an act of free and complete submission to God’s will, and how we can follow that example by completely accepting God’s will in our own lives. Today’s readings from the Catechism are paragraphs 1005-1011.