Our Calling
Welcome to Part 3, Section 1 of the Catechism in a Year with Fr. Mike Schmitz. We'll begin a new part, discussing our "Life in Christ," or How We Live. In this first section, Fr. Mike will be focusing on "Our Calling." To find the Reading Plan from Ascension, visit https://hallow.com/ciyplan
40 sessions
1Day 230: How We LiveThe third part of the Catechism tells us how to live—how God has revealed that we are made to act toward him, toward each other, and toward ourselves. Intro to Part 3 w/ Dr. Mary Healy
2Day 231: Our CallingAs we step into Part Three of the Catechism on How We Live, we begin with an overview of our high calling as sons and daughters of God. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1691-1698.CCC #1691-1698
3Day 232: Man Is Made in the Image of GodWe enter a new chapter examining the dignity of the human person, and Article 1 shows us that we have dignity because we are made in the image and likeness of God. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1699-1715.CCC #1699-1715
4Day 233: The BeatitudesJesus’ proclamation in Chapter 5 of the Gospel of Matthew purifies our hearts, sets a standard for earthly discernment, and directs our actions towards heaven. Today’s readings and paragraphs 1716-1729.CCC #1716-1729
5Day 234: Freedom and ResponsibilityThe Catechism gives us an overview of what it means for humans to have freedom, as well as some of the ramifications of that freedom. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1730-1738.CCC #1730-1738
6Day 235: Human Freedom in SalvationTogether, with Fr. Mike, we examine the reality of our human freedom in the economy of salvation. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1739-1748.CCC #1739-1748
7Day 236: The Morality of Human ActsTogether, with Fr. Mike, we examine the article on the morality of human acts. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1749-1761.CCC #1749-1761
8Day 237: The Morality of the PassionsTogether, we examine The Morality of The Passions. Fr. Mike unpacks and explores the different elements of the definition of “passions”. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1762-1775.CCC #1762-1775
9Day 238: Our Moral ConscienceTogether, 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 conscience, that tells us that there is a right and wrong. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 1776-1782.CCC #1776-1782
10Day 239: The Formation of ConscienceTogether, 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.” We cannot just say something is either right or wrong, we have to understand why we think that. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1783-1789.CCC #1783-1789
11Day 240: Erroneous Judgment of ConscienceIt 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 habitual sin blinds our conscience. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1790-1802.CCC #1790-1802
12Day 241: The Cardinal VirtuesA 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 Jesus: prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. Today’s Catechism readings are paragraphs 1803-1811.CCC #1803-1811
13Day 242: The Virtue of FaithToday, we dive into the theological virtues, beginning with the virtue of Faith. Fr. Mike unpacks the meaning and purpose of the virtue of Faith and emphasizes that Faith is deeply rooted in trust in God. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1812-1816.CCC #1812-1816
14Day 243: The Virtue of HopeA 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 explains how it protects us from discouragement and selfishness. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1817-1821.CCC #1817-1821
15Day 244: The Virtue of CharityThe 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 as ourselves. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 1822-1829.CCC #1822-1829
16Day 245: Gifts and Fruits of the Holy SpiritAs 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 guidance and inspiration. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1830-1845.CCC #1830-1845
17Day 246: Mercy and the Mystery of SinJesus reveals God’s offer of loving mercy to sinners. Sin can be understood and categorized in several ways, but every sin wounds our nature and damages our relationships with God and neighbor. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1846-1853.CCC #1846-1853
18Day 247: The Weight of SinWe 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 venial sins, the second mortal. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1854-1864.CCC #1854-1864
19Day 248: The Spread of SinWe 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 particular, lead to vices that can become rooted in a person or society. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1865-1876.CCC #1865-1876
20Day 249: The Person in SocietyMan is made for communion. God created man in his triune image, making us naturally social and communal beings. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1877-1885.CCC #1877-1885
21Day 250: Conversion in SocietyBefore 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. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1886-1896.CCC #1886-1896
22Day 251: Authorities in SocietyThe 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 duty as those under authority to obey those invested with authority. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1897-1904.CCC #1897-1904
23Day 252: The Common GoodThe 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 individual is necessarily related to the common good, which in turn can be defined only in reference to the human person.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1905-1912.CCC #1905-1912
24Day 253: Participation in Public LifeThe 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 common good for all—and that this participation is not optional, but an obligation. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1913-1927.CCC #1913-1927
25Day 254: Social JusticeWe begin to look at social justice as outlined by the Catechism by diving into two aspects: respect for the human person and equality and differences among men. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1928-1938.CCC #1928-1938
26Day 255: Human SolidarityTogether, with Fr. Mike, we reach the conclusion of the article on Social Justice. Every human being has a right to what they need to thrive in this life. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1939-1948.CCC #1939-1948
27Day 256: The Natural Moral LawTogether, we begin the section on moral law, starting with natural moral law. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1949-1960.CCC #1949-1960
28Day 257: The Old LawWe continue the section on moral law, specifically focusing on the Old Law. Fr. Mike emphasizes that the Old Law is the first stage of Revealed Law. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1961-1964.CCC #1961-1964
29Day 258: The New LawTogether, with Fr. Mike, we examine the New Law or the Law of the Gospel. Fr. Mike emphasizes that the New Law “fulfills, refines, surpasses, and leads the Old Law to its perfection.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1965-1969.CCC #1965-1969
30Day 259: The New CommandmentWe continue our examination of the New Law or Law of the Gospel, specifically the Golden Rule and New Commandment of Jesus. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1970-1974.CCC #1970-1974
31Day 260: Summary of the Moral LawIn today’s “Nugget Day,” Fr. Mike reviews the significant takeaways that the Catechism teaches us about the moral law. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1975-1986.CCC #1975-1986
32Day 261: JustificationWhat does it mean to be justified? The Catechism teaches us today about the grace of the Holy Spirit and its power to justify us. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1987-1995.CCC #1987-1995
33Day 262: Habitual and Actual GraceWithout God’s help, we can do nothing. The Catechism delves into grace today, explaining how grace works and helps us achieve our supernatural vocation to eternal life. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1996-2001.CCC #1996-2001
34Day 263: Responding to GraceGod’s free initiative demands man’s free response. We continue our discussion of grace today by examining how grace and our free will interact in our lives. Fr. Mike also explains the purpose of sacramental graces and how the expression of these graces looks different across the Body of Christ. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2002-2005.CCC #2002-2005
35Day 264: Man’s MeritFr. Mike explains that charity in Christ is the source of all our merits. In this way, merit is pure grace, and we should look to the saints for examples of how to live this truth out. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2006-2011.CCC #2006-2011
36Day 265: The Call to HolinessNo matter our station in life, we’re meant for ever greater union with Christ, devoting ourselves to the love of God and neighbor. The path of holiness also entails the Cross, self-denial, and the sacrifice that ultimately leads to peace. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2012-2016.CCC #2012-2016
37Day 266: The Gift of GraceIn this summary of the Catechism’s teaching on holiness, justification, and merit, we briefly consider the work of God’s grace and mercy. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2017-2029.CCC #2017-2029
38Day 267: The Church as Mother and TeacherFrom the Church, we receive moral guidance, with the Magisterium safeguarding and passing down authentic Christian moral teaching through the generations. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2030-2036.CCC #2030-2036
39Day 268: The Precepts of the ChurchGod has given the Church his law as “the way of life and truth.” We, therefore, have the right to be taught and guided while maintaining a spirit of docility in love. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2037-2043.CCC #2037-2043
40Day 269: Our Missionary WitnessThe Church’s mission of evangelization depends on the faithful witness of her members. Christian goodness and fidelity authenticate the Gospel.. This episode closes with a few summary “nuggets” about the moral life in the Church. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2044-2051.CCC #2044-2051