The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
A day-by-day walk through the transformative beliefs and teachings of the Catholic Church.
We found 10 episodes of The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) with the tag “prayer”.
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Day 347: Contemplative Prayer (2024)
December 12th, 2024 | 19 mins 28 secs
contemplation, friends, prayer, silence, solitude
In contemplative prayer, we seek Jesus. As St. Teresa of Avila put it, contemplative prayer “is nothing else than a close sharing between friends.” The Catechism tells us this form of prayer is a gift, a covenant, and a communion. Further, it is a silent gaze “fixed on Jesus.” In this episode, Fr. Mike helps us better understand this intimate form of prayer. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2709-2724.
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Day 346: Meditation and Vocal Prayer (2024)
December 11th, 2024 | 17 mins 2 secs
heart, humility, meditation, prayer, self, voice
Because man is both body and spirit, our prayers can be vocal and meditative. We learn that vocal prayer expresses the movements of our hearts and minds, enabling us to pray with the fullness of our being. Another form of prayer is meditation, which the Catechism tells us is “above all a quest.” In meditation, we employ our thoughts, imagination, and emotions to deepen our union with Christ. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2700-2708.
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Day 345: Animated by Prayer (2024)
December 10th, 2024 | 14 mins 30 secs
forgetful, heart, pilgrimage, place, prayer, remember
We know we can pray anywhere at any time, yet certain places are more favorable for prayer. There are also certain rhythms of prayer in the life of the Church that foster regular attention to the Lord. As Fr. Mike emphasizes with the Catechism, we can’t pray always “if we don’t pray at specific times.” Today Fr. Mike encourages us to find our place and time for prayer. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2691-2699.
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Day 344: Guides for Prayer (2024)
December 9th, 2024 | 18 mins 9 secs
catechesis, family, guides of prayer, holiness, how to pray, learning to pray, prayer, prayer groups, prayer life, praying, priests, religious, saints, teachers of prayer
We are lifelong learners in the school of prayer. The Church offers various guides to help us grow and cultivate our prayer lives. These include the family, the saints, priests, religious brothers and sisters, prayer groups, spiritual directors, and more. These individuals and communities teach us to pray in different ways and inspire us to persevere in prayer. Fr. Mike invites us to reflect on how God calls us to lead others in the Faith. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2683-2690.
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Day 342: Trinitarian Prayer (2024)
December 7th, 2024 | 18 mins 42 secs
come holy spirit, invoking the name of jesus, prayer, prayer to jesus, prayer to the father, prayer to the holy spirit, praying, the holy name jesus, the name of jesus, the way of prayer, trinitarian prayer
What is the significance of praying to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit? As we explore the path of prayer, the Catechism elaborates on the concept of trinitarian prayer and underscores the importance of establishing a relationship with each member of the Holy Trinity. Fr. Mike emphasizes that Christ is the focal point of Christian prayer, and he underscores the profound power of invoking the name of Jesus, as it represents his very presence. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 2663-2672.
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Day 341: The Theological Virtues (2024)
December 6th, 2024 | 13 mins 58 secs
article 1, article one, at the wellsprings of prayer, chapter 2, chapter two, christian prayer, cure of ars, curé of ars, faith, holy spirit, hope, how we pray, in brief, love, nugget, nuggets, part 4, part four, prayer, prayer in the christian life, scripture, section 1, section one, st john vianney, theological virtues, today, tradition of prayer
The Catechism reveals the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love as additional “wellsprings” of prayer for us to connect with the Father. Fr. Mike explains that we must enter into prayer with faith, pray in hope, and love as God loves us. Fr. Mike also addresses the Catechism's view on praying in the present, not looking at the past or future. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2656-2662.
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Day 340: Scripture and the Liturgy (2024)
December 5th, 2024 | 15 mins 45 secs
article 1, article one, at the wellsprings of prayer, chapter 2, chapter two, christian prayer, holy spirit, holy trinity, how we pray, liturgy of the church, living water, matthew, part 4, part four, prayer, prayer in the christian life, scripture, section 1, section one, tradition of prayer, word of god
How do we pray? Prayer is essential for our relationship with the Lord. The Catechism teaches that we must study the Scriptures, learn how to pray, and have the will to pray. Fr. Mike shares two different sources of prayer: the Word of God and the Liturgy of the Church. He explains how the Holy Spirit guides us in prayer and teaches us how to speak with God. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2650-2655.
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Day 339: Prayer of Praise (2024)
December 4th, 2024 | 13 mins 20 secs
doxology, faith, praise, prayer, prayer of praise, the eucharist, wonder
We examine both prayers of praise and also the “nuggets” for this section on the forms of prayer. Fr. Mike emphasizes that praise is giving God glory for who he is. He also emphasizes that the Eucharist is the ultimate prayer of praise, and that every time we pray we are joining our lives to the saints and prophets who have gone before us. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2639-2649.
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Day 338: Intercession and Thanksgiving (2024)
December 3rd, 2024 | 13 mins 4 secs
grief, intercession, love, prayer, praying, saints, thanksgiving
We look at two more forms of prayer: intercession and thanksgiving. Fr. Mike emphasizes that in the age of the Church, intercession, or asking on behalf of another, is participating in Christ’s mediation. He also emphasizes that in all things we must give thanks, even in times of suffering and grief. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2634-2638.
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Day 337: Blessing, Adoration, and Petition (2024)
December 2nd, 2024 | 23 mins 13 secs
grief, intercession, love, prayer, praying, saints, thanksgiving
Prayer in the age of the Church takes on many different forms. Together, we examine specifically blessing, adoration, and petition. Fr. Mike emphasizes the beauty that all of our prayers of blessing are a response to God’s blessings for us. He also explores how common and spontaneous prayers of petition to our Father in heaven truly are, but in the age of the Church, our petition is full of hope and not lamentation. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2623-2633.