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

Episode: Day 151: The Seven Sacraments (2025)
Release Date: May 31, 2025
Host: Father Mike Schmitz
Produced by: Ascension

Introduction

In Day 151 of Ascension’s The Catechism in a Year podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz delves into Paragraphs 1113 to 1121 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, focusing on Article 2: The Paschal Mystery in the Church's Sacraments. This episode explores the foundational understanding of the Seven Sacraments, their origin in Christ, and their role within the Church.

Opening Prayer

Fr. Mike begins the episode with a heartfelt prayer, inviting listeners to seek God's presence and strength:

"Father in Heaven, you are good, you are God. We love you and we ask you to please send your Holy Spirit to be with us in this moment."
[00:59]

Overview of the Seven Sacraments

Fr. Mike outlines the seven sacraments recognized by the Catholic Church:

1. Baptism
2. Confirmation (Chrismation)
3. Eucharist
4. Penance (Reconciliation)
5. Anointing of the Sick
6. Holy Orders
7. Matrimony

These sacraments are central to the liturgical life of the Church, revolving around the Eucharistic sacrifice and serving as conduits of God's grace.

Sacraments as Instituted by Christ

Fr. Mike emphasizes that all seven sacraments were instituted by Jesus Christ, making them sacraments of Christ:

"They're the sacraments of Christ. What it means is that these sacraments were all instituted by Jesus Christ our Lord."
[04:30]

He explains that Jesus’ words and actions, both during His hidden life in Nazareth and His public ministry, were salvific, anticipating the power of the Paschal Mystery—His suffering, death, and resurrection.

"The mysteries of Christ's life are the foundations of what he would henceforth dispense in the sacraments."
[12:15]

Fr. Mike shares insights from St. Ambrose, highlighting how sacraments make Christ's presence and actions visible and tangible to the faithful:

"You've shown me your face, O Lord. I've seen you in the sacraments. I've seen your action, I've seen your work, I've seen your life, your love."
[16:45]

The Church's Role in the Sacraments

Fr. Mike discusses the dual nature of sacraments: they are both by the Church and for the Church.

"They're by the Church in the sense that they're the sacrament of Christ's work through the Church, but they also build up the church. So they're by the Church and for the Church."
[10:10]

He explains that over centuries, the Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, has discerned and formally recognized the sacraments, much like the gradual canonization of Sacred Scripture and the development of doctrinal teachings.

"The Church, by the power of the Spirit who guides her into all truth, has gradually recognized this treasure received from Christ and as faithful steward of God's mysteries, has determined its dispensation."
[20:25]

Fr. Mike draws parallels to the development of the biblical canon and creedal statements, illustrating how understanding deepens organically over time:

"There is an organic growth that the acorn becomes the oak tree. The acorn does not become corn."
[24:40]

Priesthood: Baptismal and Ministerial

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to explaining the distinction and relationship between the baptismal/priesthood of the laity and the ministerial/priesthood of the ordained.

Baptismal Priesthood

Fr. Mike introduces the concept of the baptismal priesthood, referring to the laity’s participation in Christ’s priesthood:

"If you've been baptized, you have been anointed to share in Christ's priesthood, you've been anointed to share in Christ's mission of prophecy, and you've been anointed to share in Christ's kingship."
[28:15]

He describes this as the "kingdom priesthood", empowering the faithful to celebrate the liturgy and participate actively in the Church’s mission.

Ministerial Priesthood

Contrastingly, the ministerial priesthood—comprised of ordained priests and deacons—serves the baptismal priesthood:

"The ordained priesthood guarantees that it really is Christ who acts in the sacraments through the Holy Spirit for the Church."
[35:50]

Fr. Mike stresses that ordained priests are not meant to lord over the laity but to serve them, echoing Jesus’ teaching on servant leadership:

"Priests are meant to lay down their lives and be at the service of the baptismal priesthood."
[43:30]

He underscores the cooperative relationship, where the ministerial priesthood supports and facilitates the laity's participation in the sacraments and the Church’s mission.

Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders

Fr. Mike highlights that these three sacraments confer both grace and a sacramental character:

"These sacraments can never be repeated."
[49:20]

This sacramental character is an indelible mark that signifies the individual's unending vocation to divine worship and service within the Church.

Historical Perspective on Sacraments

Addressing questions about the early Church, Fr. Mike affirms the existence of sacraments like Reconciliation even in the apostolic age, albeit in different forms:

"They did have the sacrament in its germinal form. It was given to the apostles."
[26:00]

He cites James 5, referencing the role of priests in the early Church in granting forgiveness of sins, illustrating the enduring presence and evolution of sacramental practices.

Conclusion and Encouragement

Fr. Mike wraps up the episode by anticipating the next day's discussion on the sacraments as sacraments of faith and salvation. He encourages listeners to embrace their baptismal priesthood and actively participate in the Church’s sacramental life.

"Here you are able to exercise your baptismal priesthood, able to exercise your kingdom priesthood now united with the priests in your parish."
[58:10]

He concludes with a personal touch, expressing his prayers and looking forward to the next session:

"I hope that makes sense. Anyways, I'm praying for you. Please pray for me. My name is Father Mike. I cannot wait to see you tomorrow. God bless."
[59:50]

Key Takeaways

• Seven Sacraments: Central to Catholic faith, instituted by Christ.
• Dual Nature: Sacraments are both instituted by and serve the Church.
• Priesthood: Distinction between baptismal (laity) and ministerial (ordained) priesthood, emphasizing service over authority.
• Historical Continuity: Sacraments have evolved organically, maintaining their foundational role since the early Church.
• Indelible Mark: Sacramental characters in Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders are permanent, signifying eternal vocation.

Notable Quotes

• "The sacraments are powers that come forth from the Body of Christ, which is ever living and life-giving."
  [07:10]

• "Priests are meant to be the same, that they're meant to lay down their lives and be at the service of the baptismal priesthood."
  [42:15]

• "The mysteries of Christ's life are now visible to us in the sacraments."
  [14:05]

This episode offers a profound exploration of the sacraments, deepening the listener’s understanding of their significance and the intertwined roles of the faithful and the ordained within the Catholic Church.