The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
A day-by-day walk through the transformative beliefs and teachings of the Catholic Church.
Episode Search
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Day 123: The Pope (2025)
May 3rd, 2025 | 17 mins 5 secs
ascension, bible, bishop rome, catechism, catechism in a year, catechism of the catholic church, catholic, catholic church, catholic doctrine, catholic faith, catholic teachings, catholicism, college of bishops, episcopal college, father mike, father mike schmitz, foundations of faith, fr mike, fr mike schmitz, jesus, papacy, peter, pope, roman pontiff, scripture, st peter, tradition
Who is the Pope? Today, we focus on the role of the Pope in the Catholic Church as the Vicar of Christ and pastor of the entire Church. The Catechism teaches us that the institution of the papacy dates back to that powerful moment in the Gospel when Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter, the “rock”, and handed him the keys of the Church. Fr. Mike unpacks this pivotal moment and helps us understand why the Pope is so foundational to the Faith. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 880-887.
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Day 122: Christ’s Faithful (2025)
May 2nd, 2025 | 20 mins 30 secs
ascension, bible, bishops, catechism, catechism in a year, catechism of the catholic church, catholic, catholic church, catholic doctrine, catholic faith, catholic teachings, catholicism, college of bishops, consecrated life, ecclesial ministry, father mike, father mike schmitz, foundations of faith, fr mike, fr mike schmitz, grace, hierarchy, jesus, laity, mission, priest, sacraments, scripture, tradition
There are three primary roles among Christ’s faithful: the hierarchy, the laity, and consecrated life. Fr. Mike explains the difference between these three roles, emphasizing that they are equal in dignity but different in the way they support the Church’s mission. We also learn that all of Christ’s faithful share in the priestly, prophetical, and kingly office of Christ. Lastly, Fr. Mike reviews the mission and characters of ecclesial ministry. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 871-879.
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Day 123: The Pope (2024)
May 2nd, 2024 | 17 mins 5 secs
bishop rome, college of bishops, episcopal college, papacy, peter, pope, roman pontiff, st peter
Who is the Pope? Today, we focus on the role of the Pope in the Catholic Church as the Vicar of Christ and pastor of the entire Church. The Catechism teaches us that the institution of the papacy dates back to that powerful moment in the Gospel when Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter, the “rock”, and handed him the keys of the Church. Fr. Mike unpacks this pivotal moment and helps us understand why the Pope is so foundational to the Faith. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 880-887.
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Day 122: Christ’s Faithful (2024)
May 1st, 2024 | 20 mins 30 secs
bishops, college of bishops, consecrated life, ecclesial ministry, grace, hierarchy, laity, mission, priest, sacraments
There are three primary roles among Christ’s faithful: the hierarchy, the laity, and consecrated life. Fr. Mike explains the difference between these three roles, emphasizing that they are equal in dignity but different in the way they support the Church’s mission. We also learn that all of Christ’s faithful share in the priestly, prophetical, and kingly office of Christ. Lastly, Fr. Mike reviews the mission and characters of ecclesial ministry. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 871-879.
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Day 123: The Pope
May 3rd, 2023 | 17 mins 5 secs
ascension, bible, bishop rome, catechism, catechism in a year, catechism of the catholic church, catholic, catholic church, catholic doctrine, catholic faith, catholic teachings, catholicism, college of bishops, episcopal college, father mike, father mike schmitz, foundations of faith, fr mike, fr mike schmitz, jesus, papacy, peter, pope, roman pontiff, scripture, st peter, tradition
What is the purpose of the Pope? Today, we focus on the role of the Pope in the Catholic Church as the Vicar of Christ and pastor of the entire Church. The Catechism teaches us that the institution of the papacy dates back to that powerful moment in the Gospel when Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter, the “rock”, and handed him the keys of the Church. Fr. Mike unpacks this pivotal moment and helps us understand why the Pope is so foundational to the Faith. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 880-887.
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Day 122: Christ’s Faithful
May 2nd, 2023 | 20 mins 30 secs
ascension, bible, bishops, catechism, catechism in a year, catechism of the catholic church, catholic, catholic church, catholic doctrine, catholic faith, catholic teachings, catholicism, college of bishops, consecrated life, ecclesial ministry, father mike, father mike schmitz, foundations of faith, fr mike, fr mike schmitz, grace, hierarchy, jesus, laity, mission, priest, sacraments, scripture, tradition
There are three primary roles among Christ’s faithful: the hierarchy, the laity, and consecrated life. Fr. Mike explains the difference between these three roles, emphasizing that they are equal in dignity but different in the way they support the Church’s mission. We also learn that all of Christ’s faithful share in the priestly, prophetical, and kingly office of Christ. Lastly, Fr. Mike reviews the mission and characters of ecclesial ministry. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 871-879.
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Day 120: The Apostolic Church (2025)
April 30th, 2025 | 16 mins 11 secs
apostles, apostolic church, apostolic succession, ascension, bible, bishops, catechism, catechism in a year, catechism of the catholic church, catholic, catholic church, catholic doctrine, catholic faith, catholic teachings, catholicism, father mike, father mike schmitz, foundations of faith, fr mike, fr mike schmitz, jesus, peter, pope, priests, scripture, successors, tradition
The fourth mark of the Catholic Church is her "apostolic" nature. Fr. Mike explains the three ways the Church is apostolic and discusses how this characteristic shapes the unique structure and Tradition of the Catholic Church. He also encourages us to pray for our local bishops, who continue to shepherd us in the Faith today as the Apostles' successors. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 857-862.
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Day 11: Sources of Divine Revelation (2025)
January 11th, 2025 | 19 mins 25 secs
apostles, apostolic tradition, ascension, bible, bishops, catechism, catechism in a year, catechism of the catholic church, catholic, catholic church, catholic doctrine, catholic faith, catholic teachings, catholicism, church, divine revelation, faith, father mike, father mike schmitz, foundations of faith, fr mike, fr mike schmitz, jesus, magisterium, pope, sacred scripture, sacred tradition, scripture, teaching of the church, tradition, word of god
Fr. Mike breaks down the Catechism’s teaching that divine revelation consists of both Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition and emphasizes why both sources are of equal importance in the Faith. He also clarifies the difference between Apostolic Tradition and ecclesial traditions. Lastly, Fr. Mike encourages us to receive with docility the teachings and directives of the Magisterium of the Church, trusting in the authority of the Pope and the bishops. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 80-87.
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Day 215: Deacons and the Diaconate (2024)
August 2nd, 2024 | 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 212: In Persona Christi (2024)
July 30th, 2024 | 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.