The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) – Episode Summary: Day 114: The Church Is One

Introduction

In Day 114 of "The Catechism in a Year" podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz delves into the profound concept that "The Church Is One," exploring the foundational elements that constitute the unity of the Catholic Church. This episode, released on April 24, 2025, covers paragraphs 811 through 816 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Fr. Mike employs Ascension’s Foundations of Faith approach to unravel the complexities of the Church's unity, holiness, catholicity, and apostolicity, with a particular focus on understanding why the Church is fundamentally one.

Exploring the Four Marks of the Church

Fr. Mike begins by introducing the four marks of the Church: one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. He emphasizes that these marks do not create the Church but rather reveal its true nature as intended by Christ.

“The Church is one, holy, Catholic and apostolic. These four characteristics, inseparably linked with each other, indicate essential features of the Church and her mission.”
— Fr. Mike Schmitz [05:30]

Why the Church Is One

Fr. Mike outlines three primary reasons why the Church is one:

1. Source of the Church – The Trinity: The unity of the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) serves as the divine foundation for the Church’s unity.

   “The Church is one because of her Source. The highest exemplar and source of this mystery is the unity in the Trinity of Persons, of one God.”
   — Fr. Mike Schmitz [07:15]

2. Founder – Jesus Christ: The Church was founded by Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, who established the Church to be a unified body of believers.

   “The Church is one because of her Founder, Jesus Christ, who reconciled all men to God by the cross, restoring the unity of all in one people and one body.”
   — Fr. Mike Schmitz [08:40]

3. Soul of the Church – The Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit dwells within the Church, acting as its soul and ensuring the communion and unity among the faithful.

   “It is the Holy Spirit dwelling in those who believe and pervading and ruling over the entire Church, who brings about that wonderful communion of the faithful...”
   — Fr. Mike Schmitz [09:55]

Unity Amidst Diversity

Fr. Mike acknowledges that while the Church is one, it encompasses a rich diversity of cultures, traditions, and gifts. This diversity does not hinder unity but rather enriches the Church's collective life.

“Within the unity of the people of God, a multiplicity of peoples and cultures is gathered together. Among the Church's members, there are different gifts, offices, conditions and ways of life holding a rightful place in the communion of the Church.”
— Fr. Mike Schmitz [12:10]

Threats to Unity: The Role of Sin

Despite its inherent unity, the Church faces constant threats from sin, which seeks to disrupt the bond of peace among believers. Fr. Mike stresses the importance of striving to maintain unity through the Spirit’s grace.

“Sin and the burden of sin essentially constantly threaten the gift to unity. And so we have to maintain and strive after that unity of the Holy Spirit in the bond of peace.”
— Fr. Mike Schmitz [14:05]

Bonds of Unity

Fr. Mike identifies three visible bonds that sustain the Church’s unity:

1. Profession of One Faith: Affirming the same beliefs through the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed unites the faithful in a common faith foundation.

   “The first bonding is the profession of one faith received from the apostles. It's one thing to be baptized, but to profess that one faith is essential.”
   — Fr. Mike Schmitz [16:20]

2. Common Celebration of Divine Worship: Participating in the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, fosters a shared spiritual life among Catholics.

   “Common celebration of divine worship, especially the sacraments, is a remarkable sign of unity.”
   — Fr. Mike Schmitz [17:45]

3. Apostolic Succession through Holy Orders: The unbroken line of apostles through the sacrament of Holy Orders ensures continuity and unity in the Church's leadership.

   “Apostolic succession through the Sacrament of Holy Orders is a visible sign of the Church's unity.”
   — Fr. Mike Schmitz [19:10]

Theological Insights and Historical Perspectives

Fr. Mike references the First Vatican Council, highlighting its affirmation of the Church's divine mission and stability despite human imperfections. He underscores the Church's universal presence and the historical continuity of apostolic succession as testament to its divine foundation.

“The Church herself, with her marvelous propagation, eminent holiness and inexhaustible fruitfulness in everything good... is a great and perpetual motive of credibility and an irrefutable witness of her divine mission.”
— Fr. Mike Schmitz [21:30]

Diversity Within Particular Churches

The discussion extends to the various rites within the Catholic Church, such as the Latin Rite and Eastern Rites, each retaining their unique traditions while maintaining unity under the Catholic Church's universal structure.

“There are different gifts, different offices, different conditions, different ways of life... and there are particular churches that retain their own traditions, like the Latin and Eastern Rites.”
— Fr. Mike Schmitz [23:05]

Prayer for Unity

Fr. Mike leads a heartfelt prayer, invoking the Holy Trinity to sustain the Church's unity and to heal divisions caused by sin. He emphasizes the necessity of collective prayer for maintaining the Church's bond of peace.

“We ask you to please conquer the sin that divides us and conquer the sin in each of us that causes division. Knit us back together in our own hearts... so that we can be one body now, one Church.”
— Fr. Mike Schmitz [25:50]

Conclusion

In wrapping up the episode, Fr. Mike reiterates the importance of recognizing the Church's unity as a divine gift sourced from the Trinity, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. He calls on listeners to actively participate in sustaining this unity through faith, worship, and apostolic succession. Fr. Mike concludes with an encouragement to pray for one another, fostering a community that truly reflects the Holy Trinity's perfect unity.

“The Holy Trinity is truly united. And so God's church has to also be truly united. So, brothers and sisters, let us pray for each other.”
— Fr. Mike Schmitz [29:15]

Key Takeaways

• Unity Rooted in Divinity: The Church’s oneness is fundamentally anchored in the Holy Trinity, the teachings of Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit's presence.

• Embracing Diversity: The Catholic Church celebrates a rich tapestry of cultures and traditions, uniting diverse members under one faith without compromising unity.

• Visible Bonds of Unity: The profession of faith, sacramental worship, and apostolic succession are essential for maintaining the Church's unity amidst challenges.

• Active Participation: Maintaining unity requires the active participation of all members through prayer, faithful adherence to doctrine, and communal worship.

Encouragement for Listeners

Fr. Mike invites listeners to engage deeply with the Catechism, participate in the Church’s sacramental life, and commit to fostering unity within the Church. By understanding and embracing the Church's unity, believers can witness God's love more effectively to the world.

Final Prayer

The episode concludes with the reaffirmation of the prayer for unity, encouraging all listeners to join in supplication for the Church’s continued oneness and strength against divisive forces.

Note: This summary captures the essence of Day 114's discussion on the Church's unity, highlighting Fr. Mike Schmitz’s insightful explanations and profound reflections on the Catechism's teachings.