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

Day 253: Participation in Public Life (2026)

The Catechism has shown us how the common good begins with the good of the individual. It further shows us that each individual can participate in the pursuit of the comm

Day 252: The Common Good (2026)

The Catechism sets up a pair of definitions for us that, at first glance, appear circular, but upon close examination, reveal profound interdependence: “The good of each

Day 251: Authorities in Society (2026)

The Catechism shows us that, in order for any good in society to last and flourish, legitimate authority must be instituted and respected by all. Furthermore, it is our d

Day 250: Conversion in Society (2026)

Before we can see outward changes for the good in society, there must be inward conversion in the hearts of its members, so says the Catechism. Fr. Mike highlights the fa

Day 249: The Person in Society (2026)

Man is made for communion. God created man in his triune image, making us naturally social and communal beings. We learn that various societies weave us together: the fam

Day 248: The Spread of Sin (2026)

We close the section on human dignity and goodness by learning how sin engenders vice. Our readings today discuss the proliferation of sin and how capital sins, in partic

Day 247: The Weight of Sin (2026)

We can consider the variety of sins in light of their gravity or seriousness. In doing so, we see that some sins weaken charity while others destroy it. The first we call

Day 246: Mercy and the Mystery of Sin (2026)

Jesus reveals God’s offer of loving mercy to sinners. To accept this gift, we must identify and admit our failings. Recognizing our sins enables us to further cooperate i

Day 245: Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit (2026)

As we end our exploration of the virtues, we learn about the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These gifts perfect our virtues and increase our ability to respond to God’s guidan

Day 244: The Virtue of Charity (2026)

The greatest of all the theological virtues is charity. Fr. Mike explains that charity, or love, is to love God above all things for his own sake and to love our neighbor

Day 243: The Virtue of Hope (2026)

A desire for the Kingdom of heaven and eternal life is at the heart of the virtue of hope. Fr. Mike breaks down the definition of the theological virtue of hope and expla

Day 242: The Virtue of Faith (2026)

The origin, motive, and object of the theological virtues are God himself. Today, we dive into the theological virtues, beginning with the virtue of Faith. Fr. Mike unpac

Day 241: The Cardinal Virtues (2026)

A virtuous person is someone who consistently chooses the good. Fr. Mike unpacks the four human or cardinal virtues that are essential in helping us become more like Jesu

Day 240: Erroneous Judgment of Conscience (2026)

It is possible for our moral conscience to remain in ignorance for a variety of reasons. Fr. Mike delves into the sources of errors of judgment in moral conduct and how h

Day 239: The Formation of Conscience (2026)

Together, with Fr. Mike, we unpack the formation of our conscience. Fr. Mike emphasizes that a well-formed conscience is one that is both “upright and truthful.” He also

Day 238: Our Moral Conscience (2026)

Together, with Fr. Mike, we explore the moral conscience. Fr. Mike emphasizes that even though our intellect has been weakened by sin, we still have some sense, our consc

Day 237: The Morality of the Passions (2026)

Together, we examine The Morality of The Passions. Fr. Mike unpacks and explores the different elements of the definition of “passions”. He emphasizes that while passions

Day 236: The Morality of Human Acts (2026)

Together, with Fr. Mike, we examine the article on the morality of human acts. Fr. Mike unpacks the three “sources” of morality: the object chosen, the end in view or the

Day 235: Human Freedom in Salvation (2026)

Together, with Fr. Mike, we examine the reality of our human freedom in the economy of salvation. Fr. Mike emphasizes that the right to freedom does not imply a right to

Day 234: Freedom and Responsibility (2026)

The Catechism gives us an overview of what it means for humans to have freedom, as well as some of the ramifications of that freedom. It introduces us to the countercultu