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

Episode: Day 13 – The Single Deposit of Faith

Date: January 13, 2026
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Reading: Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraphs 96–100 (In Brief)

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the single deposit of faith, which is the fullness of Divine Revelation entrusted by Christ to the apostles and handed down through the Church in both Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. Fr. Mike summarizes and expands upon the Catechism’s “in brief” sections (paras. 96–100), emphasizing the Church’s ongoing role in transmitting and interpreting God’s revelation through time.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Review of Divine Revelation and the Transmission of Faith

• [01:14] Fr. Mike recaps what has been discussed in previous episodes:

  • God reveals Himself fully in Jesus and through the Holy Spirit.
  • This revelation is passed on by the apostles both orally and in writing.
  • Apostolic succession is the means by which revelation is handed down.
  • The single deposit of faith is made up of both Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture.
  • The Magisterium (Pope and bishops in communion) is the authentic interpreter.

  “Sacred tradition and sacred Scripture make up the deposit of the Word of God… and we need a reliable interpreter of that, the Magisterium.”
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz [02:06]

2. Reading of Catechism Paragraphs 96–100 (“In Brief”)

• [03:53] Fr. Mike reads the five short but profound summary paragraphs.
  • Christ entrusted Divine Revelation to the apostles, who handed it down to all generations until Christ returns.
  • Both Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture are “a single sacred deposit” where the Church contemplates God “as in a mirror.”
  • The Church, in doctrine, life, and worship, passes on everything she is and believes.
  • The People of God never cease to welcome and deepen their living of Divine Revelation.
  • Interpreting God’s Word authentically is entrusted to the Magisterium.

3. Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture: One Deposit, Not Two

• [06:05] Fr. Mike highlights the unity of Scripture and Tradition:

  • Some are surprised Divine Revelation is not only the Bible but also Tradition.

  • Scripture itself points to the importance of tradition:

    • 2 Thessalonians 2:15:

    “Stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter.”

  • The very canon of Scripture is a product of Sacred Tradition, as the list of biblical books isn’t found in the Bible.

    “Everybody who reads the Bible and says, yep, these are the books... They’re relying upon an authority outside of the Bible. They’re relying upon sacred tradition.”
    — Fr. Mike Schmitz [07:24]

4. The Church’s Life and Worship as Transmission of Faith

• [09:11] Reflection on Catechism 98:

  • The Church transmits all she is and believes not just in doctrine, but in life and worship.

  • This encompasses the ancient principle “lex orandi, lex credendi” (“the law of prayer is the law of belief”).

  • Fr. Mike encourages listeners to pay attention to Mass prayers, as they reveal what the Church believes.

    “The Church in her doctrine, life, and worship perpetuates and transmits to every generation all that she herself is, all that she believes. That is so important. It’s so, so real.”
    — Fr. Mike Schmitz [09:22]

5. Scripture and the Church: The Authority to Teach

• [11:01] Fr. Mike addresses common questions:

  • “Where’s that in the Bible?”—the necessity of both written and unwritten Tradition.

  • 1 Timothy 3:15:

    “The church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth.”

  • The Church is biblically affirmed as the pillar of truth.

    “Scripture itself says that the church is the pillar and bulwark of truth. And we have to pay attention to that.”
    — Fr. Mike Schmitz [12:04]

6. Illustrative Analogy: ‘A Few Good Men’ and Tradition

• [13:37] Fr. Mike recounts a story from the movie A Few Good Men:

  • In the courtroom, a soldier is questioned about an “off-the-books” tradition not found in the Army handbook.
  • Point: Not everything essential is found in the book—some things are lived and handed down.
  • Draws a parallel to Christian faith: both written Scripture and speaking/tradition are vital.

  “There are so many things written in the book. Absolutely. But there are also so many things that are not written in the book, but are part of life following after Jesus.”
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz [16:28]

7. The Role of the Magisterium

• [17:14] Emphasizes the importance of the Magisterium:

  • The Pope and bishops carry the responsibility and authority to interpret revelation.
  • This ensures unity, continuity, and trustworthiness in teaching.

  “This magisterium, this magister, right, the teacher, has been able to interpret authentically and authoritatively the word of God for us.”
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz [17:21]

8. God’s Living Word and the Ongoing Mission of the Church

• [18:28] Encouragement that God continues to speak and guide through the Church, Scripture, sacraments, and the magisterium, reaffirming the living, active nature of Divine Revelation.

  “God’s word is alive and it comes to us every single day. God keeps speaking to us, just like today, as he’s speaking to us every single day.”
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz [19:03]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Tradition and Scripture:

  “Sacred tradition and Sacred Scripture make up a single sacred deposit of the Word of God.”
  — Fr. Mike [06:22]

• On the Mass and What We Believe:

  “Pay attention to the prayers that are uttered during the Mass because this is revealing something deeply about what it is that we believe as followers of Jesus Christ.”
  — Fr. Mike [10:03]

• On the Church’s Authority:

  “Scripture itself says that the church is the pillar and bulwark of truth.”
  — Fr. Mike [12:04]

• On the “Unwritten” Elements of Faith:

  “There are so many things written in the book. Absolutely. But there are also so many things that are not written in the book but are part of life following after Jesus.”
  — Fr. Mike [16:28]

• On the Magisterium:

  “We realize that this magisterium... has been able to interpret authentically and authoritatively the word of God for us.”
  — Fr. Mike [17:21]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:05 — Introduction and overview
• 01:14 — Recap: Transmission of Revelation
• 03:53 — Reading Catechism paragraphs 96–100
• 06:05 — The unity of Tradition and Scripture
• 09:11 — The Church transmits faith through doctrine, life, and worship
• 11:01 — Biblical basis for Tradition and Church authority
• 13:37 — Movie analogy: Living tradition vs. “the book”
• 17:14 — The Magisterium’s role in authentic interpretation
• 18:28 — The living, ongoing nature of God’s word

Tone & Language

Fr. Mike, as always, communicates with warmth, passion, and clarity. His explanations are suffused with enthusiasm and an earnest desire to make the faith accessible and relatable. He balances theological precision with everyday life analogies, often encouraging listeners to reflect personally and stay open to God’s ongoing revelation.

Episode Takeaway

This episode distills the essence of Divine Revelation in the Catholic tradition: faith comes down to us as a living reality in both Scripture and Tradition, constantly transmitted and interpreted by a Church guided by the Holy Spirit. The Magisterium’s role provides trustworthy guidance, and the living faith of the Church is found not just in her teaching, but in her worship and daily life. Fr. Mike urges listeners to value both the “written” and “lived” aspects of faith, recognizing that God is always speaking to and through His people.