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

Day 170: Who Can Be Baptized? (2024)

June 18th, 2024  |  13 mins 34 secs

adult baptism, baptism, baptismal, baptize, baptizing, catechumen, catechumenate, child baptism, infant baptism, rcia

Put simply, “[e]very person not yet baptized and only such a person is able to be baptized.” The Catechism explains to us the purpose of Baptism for both adults and infants. Fr. Mike doubles down and makes sure we understand that Baptism is for everyone. God wills Baptism for all people. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1246-1252.

Day 169: The Mystagogy of Baptism (2024)

June 17th, 2024  |  14 mins 18 secs

baptism, baptismal water, mystagogy, mystery, sacraments, sacraments of initiation

Together with Fr. Mike, we continue our examination of the sacrament of Baptism, specifically the mystagogy of the rite of Baptism. The Catechism explains each and every element of the Baptismal rite, from the Sign of the Cross to the baptismal water. Fr. Mike concludes with a reflection on Baptism as the beginning of our sacramental journey and how we are called to walk as children of God throughout our lives after our Baptism. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1234-1245.

Day 168: The Celebration of Baptism (2024)

June 16th, 2024  |  14 mins 17 secs

baptism, initiation, rcia, rites of christian initiation, rites of christian initiation for adults, sacraments, sacraments of initiation

We continue our examination of the Sacrament of Baptism, specifically how we celebrate the sacrament and the different elements that must always be present in Baptism. Fr. Mike emphasizes that while infant Baptism has become the “form in which this sacrament is usually celebrated,” post-baptismal formation and instruction is necessary in order for the full flowering of the graces received in the Sacrament of Baptism. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1229-1233.

Day 167: The Baptism of Christ (2024)

June 15th, 2024  |  12 mins 35 secs

baptism, prefiguration, sacraments, sacraments of initiation, st. john the baptist, water, waters of baptism

Together, with Fr. Mike, we continue our examination of the sacrament of Baptism. Fr. Mike emphasizes that each and every one of the Old Covenant prefigurations are fulfilled in Christ Jesus. He also unpacks Christ’s own Baptism in the Jordan, explaining that when Christ is baptized by John the Baptist, he brings the “mess of humanity” into the Jordan with him and makes the waters of Baptism holy. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1223-1228.

Day 166: Introduction to Baptism (2024)

June 14th, 2024  |  18 mins 43 secs

Together, we begin the chapter on the sacraments of initiation, specifically the section on the sacrament of Baptism. Fr. Mike unpacks the different names that the Church employs when discussing Baptism, such as the “washing of regeneration and renewal” and “enlightenment.” He concludes with a reflection on the prefigurations of Baptism in the Old Covenant. Today’s readings are Catechism, paragraphs 1210-1222.

Day 165: Summary of Liturgical Diversity (2024)

June 13th, 2024  |  13 mins 38 secs

Together, with Fr. Mike, we arrive at the conclusion and “nugget day” for the section on liturgy and culture. Fr. Mike reiterates the importance of the fact that the Church does not abolish culture, but redeems and fulfills it. He also emphasizes that even though the Church welcomes liturgical diversity, there are still some things that are incompatible with the Faith and, therefore, unable to be incorporated into Catholic liturgy. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1204-1209.

Day 164: Liturgical Diversity and Unity (2024)

June 12th, 2024  |  10 mins 49 secs

alexandrian rite, armenian rite, byzantine rite, chaldean rite, coptic rite, latin rite, liturgical diversity, liturgical rite, liturgical traditions, maronite rite, mission, roman rite, syriac rite

Did you know there is more than one liturgical rite in the Catholic Church? Fr. Mike reviews the different liturgical Traditions that are part of the Catholic Church. All of the different rites are rooted in the same mission of Christ, reminding us that the diversity of liturgical Traditions does not take away from the unity of the Faith. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1200-1203.

Day 163: Summary of the Liturgy (2024)

June 11th, 2024  |  11 mins 25 secs

churches, eucharist, litrugy of the hours, liturgical celebration, liturgy, mass, nugget day, prayer, sacrifice of the mass, worship

In today’s “nugget day”, we review the main takeaways from our readings on the liturgy. Fr. Mike invites us to remember that every time we participate in the liturgy, we are participating in the heavenly worship of the Father. We also learn that in times of discouragement, we can unite ourselves to Christ our high priest by praying the Liturgy of the Hours. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1187-1199.

Day 162: Where the Liturgy Is Celebrated (2024)

June 10th, 2024  |  13 mins 46 secs

altar, assembly of the faithful, baptistry, cathedra, churches, house of prayer, house of worship, lectern, sacred chrism, tabernacle, visible churches

Where is the liturgy celebrated? The Catechism offers us overarching principles as well as specific details about the spaces in which the liturgy is celebrated. Fr. Mike highlights the importance of endowing dignity and respect to these physical spaces because they are sacred places of encounter with our Lord. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1179-1186.

Day 161: The Liturgy of the Hours (2024)

June 9th, 2024  |  18 mins 31 secs

daytime prayer, devotions, divine office, evening prayers, liturgy of the hours, morning prayer, night prayer, office of readings, praying

The Liturgy of the Hours is known as the “public prayer of the Church.” Fr. Mike explains how praying the Liturgy of the Hours sanctifies time and gives God the opportunity to speak to us throughout our day. Fr. Mike encourages us to see the Liturgy of the Hours as a great gift from the Church that can powerfully transform our prayer lives when it takes root in our hearts. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1174-1178.

Day 160: The Liturgical Year (2024)

June 8th, 2024  |  10 mins 16 secs

easter, feast days, liturgical celebrations., liturgical year, martyrs, paschal mystery, saint feast days, solemnities, the sanctoral

Fr. Mike reviews the major solemnities and feast days that make up the liturgical year and explains why they are important to celebrate. We learn that the liturgical year highlights key moments of the Paschal Mystery and commemorates the life of our Blessed Mother and the lives of the saints and martyrs. The feasts and solemnities of the liturgical year ultimately point us to Christ’s sacrifice and strengthen our faith. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1168-1173.

Day 159: When the Liturgy Is Celebrated (2024)

June 7th, 2024  |  14 mins 54 secs

liturgical seasons, liturgy, sabbath, sunday, the lord’s day, today

Together, with Fr. Mike, we examine the question of when the liturgy is celebrated. The Catechism states that there is a word that marks Christian prayer, and that word is “today.” Fr. Mike emphasizes that our liturgy and worship happens “today,” not in the past and not in the future, but right now in this present moment. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1163-1167.

Day 158: Holy Images in the Liturgy (2024)

June 6th, 2024  |  12 mins 7 secs

holy images, iconography, icons, images, liturgy, word made flesh, worship

We continue our examination of the different elements of the liturgy, specifically holy images in the liturgy. Fr. Mike highlights that because the Word was made visible in the flesh, Christians now can use images of Christ to pray. Liturgical art is a symbol that points to a greater reality than itself. It is meant to lift our hearts and minds to the Lord in a way that words cannot. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1159-1162.

Day 157: God’s Word and Sacred Music (2024)

June 5th, 2024  |  16 mins 9 secs

actions, celebration, celebration of the liturgy, homily, liturgy, music, signing, words

Fr. Mike examines the words, actions, music, and singing involved in how we celebrate the Liturgy. He discusses how, at many Masses, there are signs that accompany the Word of God to emphasize the importance of the Word being proclaimed. He further explains that sacred music is a combination of music and words drawn chiefly from Sacred Scripture. When we sing during the Liturgy, we are making art out of God’s Word, itself, and that art forms a necessary part of the Liturgy. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1153-1158.

Day 156: How the Liturgy Is Celebrated (2024)

June 4th, 2024  |  17 mins 13 secs

celebration, invisible, liturgy, saint pope john paul ii, signs, symbols, visible

We continue to examine the celebration of the liturgy and sacraments. In the context of how the liturgy is celebrated, Fr. Mike explains that we are both body and spirit, and so signs and symbols are the way in which we communicate with and understand the world around us. God communicates spiritual realities in the same way. The signs and symbols which are utilized in the liturgy not only point to spiritual realities, but also make them present. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1145-1152.

Day 155: Who Celebrates the Liturgy (2024)

June 3rd, 2024  |  18 mins 13 secs

baptismal priesthood, celebration, celebration of the liturgy, liturgy, sacraments

Together, with Fr. Mike, we examine “who celebrates the liturgy.” Fr. Mike emphasizes that when we celebrate the sacraments, the whole Christ, not just the body on Earth, but also the body in Heaven, celebrates with us. The Church enables us to participate in the eternal liturgy through the sacraments, and our baptismal priesthood allows us to have full, conscious, and active participation in the liturgy. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1135-1144.