The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
A day-by-day walk through the transformative beliefs and teachings of the Catholic Church.
Displaying Episode 1 - 10 of 416 in total of The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) with the tag “tradition”.
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Day 347: Contemplative Prayer (2025)
December 13th, 2025 | 19 mins 28 secs
ascension, bible, catechism, catechism in a year, catechism of the catholic church, catholic, catholic church, catholic doctrine, catholic faith, catholic teachings, catholicism, contemplation, father mike, father mike schmitz, foundations of faith, fr mike, fr mike schmitz, friends, jesus, prayer, scripture, silence, solitude, tradition
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 (2025)
December 12th, 2025 | 17 mins 2 secs
ascension, bible, 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, heart, humility, jesus, meditation, prayer, scripture, self, tradition, 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 (2025)
December 11th, 2025 | 14 mins 30 secs
ascension, bible, 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, forgetful, foundations of faith, fr mike, fr mike schmitz, heart, jesus, pilgrimage, place, prayer, remember, scripture, tradition
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 (2025)
December 10th, 2025 | 18 mins 9 secs
ascension, bible, catechesis, catechism, catechism in a year, catechism of the catholic church, catholic, catholic church, catholic doctrine, catholic faith, catholic teachings, catholicism, family, father mike, father mike schmitz, foundations of faith, fr mike, fr mike schmitz, guides of prayer, holiness, how to pray, jesus, learning to pray, prayer, prayer groups, prayer life, praying, priests, religious, saints, scripture, teachers of prayer, tradition
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 343: Praying Through Mary (2025)
December 9th, 2025 | 14 mins 39 secs
ascension, ave maria, bible, 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, hail mary, jesus, marian prayer, mary, mother of god, mother of jesus, praying through mary, praying to mary, rosary, scripture, tradition
To love Mary doesn’t mean our hearts belong any less to Jesus. Today, the Catechism explains our Blessed Mother’s role in prayer and why the Catholic Church prays in communion with her. We also explore the origin behind the Hail Mary prayer and other prayers to Mary throughout the Church’s history. Lastly, Fr. Mike reflects on the tenderness and strength of Mary’s motherhood that carries us through the difficulties of our lives. By uniting our prayer to her prayer, we unite our trust with her perfect “Fiat.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2673-2682.
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Day 342: Trinitarian Prayer (2025)
December 8th, 2025 | 18 mins 42 secs
ascension, bible, catechism, catechism in a year, catechism of the catholic church, catholic, catholic church, catholic doctrine, catholic faith, catholic teachings, catholicism, come holy spirit, father mike, father mike schmitz, foundations of faith, fr mike, fr mike schmitz, invoking the name of jesus, jesus, prayer, prayer to jesus, prayer to the father, prayer to the holy spirit, praying, scripture, the holy name jesus, the name of jesus, the way of prayer, tradition, 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 (2025)
December 7th, 2025 | 13 mins 58 secs
article 1, article one, ascension, at the wellsprings of prayer, bible, catechism, catechism in a year, catechism of the catholic church, catholic, catholic church, catholic doctrine, catholic faith, catholic teachings, catholicism, chapter 2, chapter two, christian prayer, cure of ars, curé of ars, faith, father mike, father mike schmitz, foundations of faith, fr mike, fr mike schmitz, holy spirit, hope, how we pray, in brief, jesus, 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, 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 (2025)
December 6th, 2025 | 15 mins 7 secs
article 1, article one, ascension, at the wellsprings of prayer, bible, catechism, catechism in a year, catechism of the catholic church, catholic, catholic church, catholic doctrine, catholic faith, catholic teachings, catholicism, chapter 2, chapter two, christian prayer, father mike, father mike schmitz, foundations of faith, fr mike, fr mike schmitz, holy spirit, holy trinity, how we pray, jesus, liturgy of the church, living water, matthew, part 4, part four, prayer, prayer in the christian life, scripture, section 1, section one, tradition, 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 (2025)
December 5th, 2025 | 13 mins 20 secs
ascension, bible, catechism, catechism in a year, catechism of the catholic church, catholic, catholic church, catholic doctrine, catholic faith, catholic teachings, catholicism, doxology, faith, father mike, father mike schmitz, foundations of faith, fr mike, fr mike schmitz, jesus, praise, prayer, prayer of praise, scripture, the eucharist, tradition, 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 (2025)
December 4th, 2025 | 13 mins 4 secs
ascension, bible, 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, grief, intercession, jesus, love, prayer, praying, saints, scripture, thanksgiving, tradition
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.