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

Day 186: The Sacrificial Memorial (2024)

July 4th, 2024  |  17 mins 48 secs

christ’s passion, eucharist, mass, memorial, sacraments, sacrifice, sacrificial memorial

We continue our examination of the sacrament of the Eucharist. Fr. Mike emphasizes that every element of Christ’s passion, the whole thing, is one, single sacrifice, and when we celebrate the Mass, we are participating in that same sacrifice. He also reiterates that the Eucharist is both a noun and a verb. It “re-presents” the sacrifice of the Cross. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1362-1386.

Day 185: Thanksgiving, Memorial, Presence (2024)

July 3rd, 2024  |  14 mins 13 secs

eucharist, exodus, genesis, memorial, presence of christ, sacrifice, sacrificial memorial, thanksgiving

Together with Fr. Mike, we continue our examination of the sacrament of the Eucharist. Fr. Mike takes us back to the Book of Genesis, the sacrifices of Cain and Abel, and the Book of Exodus, the story of Moses and Pharaoh. He emphasizes that the point of freedom in life is to be led to the freedom to worship God and that it matters to God that we freely choose to attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1356-1361.

Day 184: The Movement of the Mass (2024)

July 2nd, 2024  |  17 mins 22 secs

celebration of the mass, eucharist, high priest, liturgy, melchizedek, worship

There is great depth to the movement of the celebration of the Mass. Fr. Mike highlights the role of Christ as the head and high priest and the role of the laity as the body of Christ at Mass. Fr. Mike also emphasizes the importance of the altar at Mass, reminding us that the heart of religion is worship, and the heart of worship is sacrifice. Lastly, Fr. Mike explains how God’s love requires a response from each of us, making it both inclusive and exclusive love. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1348-1355.

Day 183: The Mass of All Ages (2024)

July 1st, 2024  |  15 mins 10 secs

body and blood of jesus, body of christ, church father, eucharist, holy mass, mass, mass of all ages, paschal lamb, road to emmaus, st justin martyr

Celebrating the sacrament of the Eucharist has been part of the Tradition of the Catholic Church for 2,000 years. Fr. Mike unpacks the citation from St. Justin Martyr's First Apology, which beautifully describes the structure of the Mass in AD 155 and captures how the Early Church had the same understanding of the Eucharist as we do today. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 1341-1347.

Day 182: The Signs of Bread and Wine (2024)

June 30th, 2024  |  19 mins 44 secs

body and blood of jesus, daily bread, eucharist, last supper, manna, mass, multiplication of loaves, passion, passover meal, signs of bread and wine

Fr. Mike breaks down the various ways the Eucharist fulfills the sacrifices of bread and wine of the Old Covenant and explains why the Eucharist is central to God’s plan of salvation. We learn that the Eucharist is a pledge of God’s love for each one of us and a tangible reminder that Jesus is always with us. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1333-1340.

Day 181: The Sacrament of the Eucharist (2024)

June 29th, 2024  |  13 mins 37 secs

The sacrament of the Eucharist has many different names, and "each name evokes certain aspects of it." Fr. Mike explains the meaning behind this sacrament's various titles, including; thanksgiving to God, the Lord's Supper, Breaking of Bread, the Holy Sacrifice, Holy Mass, and others. All the names of this sacrament ultimately remind us that the Eucharist is both a noun and a verb. It is the Son's great sacrifice to the Father and Jesus Christ himself. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 1328-1332.

Day 180: The Source and Summit (2024)

June 28th, 2024  |  11 mins 6 secs

The Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life.” Today, we begin our journey into the mystery of the Eucharist. Fr. Mike emphasizes that the Eucharist is particularly unique in relation to the other sacraments because it unites us to the heavenly liturgy and draws us into communion with God. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1322-1327.

Day 179: Summary of Confirmation (2024)

June 27th, 2024  |  16 mins 39 secs

Together, with Fr. Mike, we have arrived at the conclusion and nugget day for the section on the sacrament of Confirmation. Fr. Mike reiterates the idea that, “What God has done in me cannot stop with me.” We receive God’s gifts at Confirmation, and it is now up to us to use these gifts. He also emphasizes the importance of having the desire for the sacrament of Confirmation when the sacrament is received. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1315-1321.

Day 178: Who Receives Confirmation (2024)

June 26th, 2024  |  15 mins 37 secs

age of discretion, bishop, confirmation, minister, sacraments, sacraments of initiation, sponsor

We continue our examination of the sacrament of Confirmation, specifically both who should receive Confirmation and who can act as the minister of the sacrament. Fr. Mike reiterates that every baptized person, not yet confirmed, should receive the sacrament of Confirmation. Without Confirmation, Christian initiation remains incomplete. He also emphasizes the importance of choosing someone who can help you grow in the Faith as a sponsor. Fr. Mike concludes with an examination of who the minister of Confirmation is, and how its minister ties us to the apostolic succession. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1306-1314.

Day 177: The Celebration of Confirmation (2024)

June 25th, 2024  |  19 mins 47 secs

actions, confirmation, holy spirit, rite of confirmation, sacraments, words

We continue our examination of the sacrament of Confirmation, specifically the celebration and effects of the sacrament of Confirmation. Fr. Mike explores the different elements of the rite of Confirmation and the ways in which Confirmation increases and deepens our baptismal graces. He emphasizes, in particular, the special strength of the Holy Spirit that we receive to spread and defend the Faith by our words and actions. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1297-1305.

Day 176: Traditions and Signs of Confirmation (2024)

June 24th, 2024  |  17 mins 26 secs

anointing, confirmation, east, oil, sacraments, sacraments of initiation, tradition, unity, west

Together, with Fr. Mike, we continue our examination of the sacrament of Confirmation, specifically the two Traditions and different signs of Confirmation. Fr. Mike unpacks the differences in the two Traditions, East and West, in the celebration of Confirmation. He also explores the different signs that oil and anointing in the sacrament of Confirmation can signify. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1290-1296.

Day 175: Introduction to Confirmation (2024)

June 23rd, 2024  |  12 mins 25 secs

apostles, baptismal grace, confirmation, economy of salvation, pentecost, sacrament, salvation

We begin our examination of the sacrament of Confirmation. Fr. Mike emphasizes that the reception of Confirmation is necessary for the completion and strengthening of baptismal grace. He also highlights the vital importance of the reception of Confirmation because it gives us the power to be a witness to God’s grace on earth, just as the Apostles received that same power at Pentecost. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1285-1289.

Day 174: Summary of the Sacrament of Baptism (2024)

June 22nd, 2024  |  12 mins 46 secs

baptism, baptismal grace, baptize, fruit of baptism, in brief, indelible spiritual sign, nugget day, sacraments of initiation

In this summary of the Church’s teachings on Baptism, the Catechism relays the heart of the sacrament. If you needed to quickly explain Baptism to someone on the street—Fr. Mike says—this would be your guide. Fr. Mike hones in on the fact that Baptism is “a grace and a gift of God that does not presuppose any human merit.” Today’s readings are paragraphs 1275-1284.

Day 173: Brothers and Sisters in Baptism (2024)

June 21st, 2024  |  15 mins 41 secs

baptism, baptismal font, baptismal seal, baptize, baptized, body of christ, children of god, chosen race, church unity, common priesthood, configured to christ, daughters of god, dominicus character, faithful, full communion, indelible spiritual mark, living stones, member of the church, obedience, obey, people of god, rights and responsibilities, sacramental bond of unity, seal of the lord, sign of faith, sons and daughters, sons of god, unity of christians

The Catechism shows us how Baptism unites the Church as a “People of God of the New Covenant” and goes so far as to say that “Baptism constitutes the foundation of communion among all Christians.” We all belong to Jesus, together. Fr. Mike highlights the fact that with the gift of unity in Baptism comes real responsibility. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1267-1274.

Day 172: What Does Baptism Do? (2024)

June 20th, 2024  |  14 mins 57 secs

a new creature, adopted, baptism, baptismal, baptize, baptized, belonging, beloved creature, co-heir, concupiscence, daughter of god, divine nature, effects of baptism, forgiveness of sins, grace of baptism, immersion, partaker, sanctifying grace, son of god, temple of the holy spirit

Baptism has profound effects upon the baptized: “purification from sins and new birth in the Holy Spirit.” The Catechism shows us that the graces of Baptism are so deep that—for the newly baptized—“nothing remains that would impede their entry into the Kingdom of God.” Fr. Mike relates to us the hard teaching that we are born mere beloved creatures of God—but through Baptism, we become adopted sons and daughters of God. Today’s readings are paragraphs 1262-1266.

Day 171: The Necessity of Baptism (2024)

June 19th, 2024  |  20 mins 9 secs

baptism, baptism of blood, baptismal, baptist, baptize, baptizing, catechumen, desire for baptism, faith, faith and baptism, godfather, godmother, godparent, limbo, martyr, ministers of baptism, necessity of baptism, officium, reborn of water, sacrament of faith, trinitarian formula

“Baptism is the sacrament of faith.” The Catechism explains to us who can baptize as well as why we need Baptism for eternal life. It also explains to us what happens when people die without the opportunity for Baptism. Fr. Mike addresses our “what about” questions concerning Baptism. Most especially, Fr. Mike addresses the destination of those who will never have the opportunity to hear the Gospel or be baptized. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1253-1261.