Day 164: Liturgical Diversity and Unity (2025)

Fri Jun 13 2025

Did you know there is more than one liturgical rite in the Catholic Church? Fr. Mike reviews the different liturgical Traditions that are part of the Catholic Church. All of the different rites are rooted in the same mission of Christ, reminding us that the diversity of liturgical Traditions does not take away from the unity of the Faith. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1200-1203.

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) – Day 164: Liturgical Diversity and Unity

Introduction

In Day 164 of The Catechism in a Year podcast, hosted by Ascension and led by Fr. Mike Schmitz, listeners delve into the intricate balance between liturgical diversity and unity within the Catholic Church. This episode, titled "Liturgical Diversity and Unity," explores how various liturgical traditions coexist harmoniously under the umbrella of Catholicism, highlighting the richness and beauty of the Church's universal nature.

Exploring Liturgical Diversity

Fr. Mike Schmitz begins the episode by acknowledging that while the majority of listeners may belong to the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church, there exists a multitude of other rites within the Catholic communion. He states:

"There are a number of liturgical traditions in the Church... There is a liturgical diversity there. At the same time, there's this incredible and beautiful unity or catholicity." (00:05)

Understanding Different Rites

The discussion emphasizes that liturgical traditions vary significantly across different rites, each bringing unique expressions and celebrations of the sacraments. Fr. Mike highlights several rites, including:

Byzantine Rite
Alexandrian/Coptic Rite
Syriac Rite
Armenian Rite
Maronite Rite
Chaldean Rite

He explains that despite these differences, all these rites celebrate the same core mystery of Christ, fostering a sense of unity within diversity.

Historical Development and Complementarity

Fr. Mike elaborates on how these rites have developed over centuries, each enriching the Catholic tradition through their unique liturgical expressions:

"The history of the blossoming and development of these rites witnesses to a remarkable complementarity." (Transcript context)

He underscores that this complementarity enhances the Church's fidelity to its traditions and its mission, allowing diverse expressions to coexist and strengthen the universal Church.

Unity and Catholicity in Diversity

Theological Foundation of Unity

Central to the episode is the concept of catholicity, or universality, which Fr. Mike describes as the unity that binds the diverse liturgical traditions together. He emphasizes that the unity of the Church is not diminished by its diversity but is, in fact, enriched by it.

Analogy: The Tree in Different Soils

One of the standout moments in the episode is Fr. Mike's analogy comparing the Church's diversity to a tree growing in different soils:

"It's the same tree, right? It's the same kind of fruit, but it just was grown in different soil. And because it was grown in different soil, it looks slightly different, but it's the same species." (Approx. 20:00)

This analogy effectively illustrates how diverse liturgical practices can flourish within the same Catholic framework, maintaining their unique characteristics while contributing to the overall unity of the Church.

Diverse Liturgical Practices and Their Significance

Expressions of Faith Through Culture

Fr. Mike discusses how cultural contexts influence liturgical expressions, making the celebration of sacraments resonate more deeply within different communities. For example:

"The Byzantine Rite, they've kept some of the even more ancient forms... there's something so beautiful here as well." (Approx. 15:30)

He points out that different rites incorporate local traditions and artistic expressions, which enrich the liturgical life and make the faith more accessible and meaningful to various cultures.

Liturgical Symbolism and Architecture

The episode touches on how liturgical symbolism varies across rites. Fr. Mike provides the example of tabernacles:

"In the west... they're typically boxes. But in some other rites, the tabernacle is in the shape of a dove or some other kind of image." (Approx. 19:00)

This variation in symbolism underscores the adaptability of Catholic liturgy to different cultural expressions while maintaining core theological meanings.

Historical Context and Vatican II

Fr. Mike briefly addresses the impact of the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) on liturgical practices:

"In the 1960s, in Second Vatican Council, there was kind of an update... some people are critical, some are grateful." (Approx. 13:00)

He notes that Vatican II aimed to renovate the liturgy, making it more accessible and engaging for the faithful. This renewal allowed for greater appreciation and integration of diverse liturgical traditions within the universal Church.

The Church’s Mission and Liturgical Diversity

Missionary Impulse and Cultural Encounter

Fr. Mike connects the diversity of liturgical practices to the Church's missionary activity, explaining that as the Church spread to different parts of the world, it naturally incorporated local cultural elements into its liturgical life:

"The Church was commanded by Jesus Christ to go out into all nations and make disciples... encountering these various cultures, there are a variety of ways in which the sacrament... grew differently in different soil." (Approx. 25:00)

This missionary impulse has led to the flourishing of various rites, each adapting to and enriching the local culture while staying true to the apostolic faith.

Integration and Preservation of Traditions

He emphasizes the Church's role in preserving and fostering these diverse expressions:

"Holy Mother Church holds all lawfully recognized rites to be of equal right and dignity, and that she wishes to preserve them in the future and to foster them in every way." (Transcript context)

This commitment ensures that the rich heritage of each rite is maintained and respected within the broader Catholic community.

Key Insights and Reflections

The Beauty of Unity in Diversity

Fr. Mike reflects on the inherent beauty found in the Church's liturgical diversity, likening it to the spice of life that enriches experiences without detracting from unity. He shares his personal appreciation for attending different rites, noting the distinctive yet familiar atmospheres that each brings.

Encouraging Embrace of Diversity

He encourages listeners to explore and embrace the diversity within the Church, highlighting that experiencing different liturgical traditions can deepen one's understanding and appreciation of Catholicism as a universal faith.

Analogy Trademarking

Fr. Mike humorously mentions his intention to "trademark" his tree-in-different-soil analogy, indicating its significance in encapsulating the essence of unity amidst diversity within the Church.

Conclusion and Looking Ahead

As the episode concludes, Fr. Mike previews the next day's discussion, which will continue exploring the balance of variety and unity in the Church, specifically focusing on "liturgy and culture." He closes with a heartfelt prayer and an invitation for listeners to join him in the continuing journey through the Catechism.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

Introduction to Liturgical Diversity and Unity

"There are a number of liturgical traditions in the Church... There is a liturgical diversity there. At the same time, there's this incredible and beautiful unity or catholicity." (00:05)
Analogy of the Tree in Different Soils

"It's the same tree, right? It's the same kind of fruit, but it just was grown in different soil. And because it was grown in different soil, it looks slightly different, but it's the same species." (Approx. 20:00)
Impact of Vatican II

"In the 1960s, in Second Vatican Council, there was kind of an update... some people are critical, some are grateful." (Approx. 13:00)
Missionary Impulse and Cultural Integration

"The Church was commanded by Jesus Christ to go out into all nations and make disciples... encountering these various cultures, there are a variety of ways in which the sacrament... grew differently in different soil." (Approx. 25:00)

Final Thoughts

Day 164 of The Catechism in a Year offers a profound exploration of how liturgical diversity and unity coexist within the Catholic Church. Fr. Mike Schmitz adeptly navigates the complexities of various rites, illustrating how each contributes to the rich tapestry of Catholic worship. By understanding and appreciating these differences, believers can deepen their faith and strengthen their sense of belonging to the universal Church. This episode serves as a testament to the Catholic Church's ability to embrace diversity while maintaining a cohesive and unified identity.

Additional Resources

Reading Plan Download: Listeners are encouraged to download their own Catechism in a Year reading plan by visiting ascensionpress.com/ciy.
Podcast Subscription: To receive daily updates and notifications, listeners can click "Follow" or "Subscribe" in their preferred podcast app.

Prayerful Reflection

Fr. Mike invites listeners to join him in prayer, seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance to foster both individual spiritual growth and communal unity within the Church. This invitation underscores the episode's theme of unity in diversity, encouraging a heartfelt connection to God and to one another.

Stay Tuned

Listeners are reminded to return the next day for continued exploration of the Church's liturgical life, specifically focusing on the interplay between liturgy and culture, further enriching their understanding of Catholic faith and traditions.

Transcript

Father Mike Schmitz (0:05)

Hi, my name is Father Mike Schmitz, and you're listening to the Catechism in a Year podcast, where we encounter God's plan of sheer goodness for us, revealed in Scripture and passed down through the tradition of the Catholic faith. The Catechism in a Year is brought to you by ascension. In 365 days, we'll read through the Catechism of the Catholic Church, discovering our identity and God's family as we journey together toward our heavenly home. This is day 164. We are reading from three or four paragraphs, 1200 to 1203. As always, I'm using the Ascension edition of the Catechism, which includes a foundations of faith approach, but you can follow along with any recent version of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. You can also download your own Catechism in a Year reading plan by visiting ascensionpress.com ciy and lastly, you can click Follow or subscribe in your podcast app for daily updates and daily notifications. Because Today is day 164, as I said yesterday, I said this. We have an article broken into two pieces. Article 2 liturgical diversity and the unity of the Mystery. So there are a number of liturgical traditions in the Church. What do we mean by this? Okay, well, here, most people probably listening to this podcast are in the west, right? We belong to the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church. But there are a number of other rites in the Roman Catholic Church, and we're going to talk about those today. There is a liturgical diversity there. At the same time, there's this incredible and beautiful unity or catholicity. And that's what we're going to talk about today and tomorrow. Tomorrow, more on liturgy and culture. But today we're talking about liturgical traditions and the catholicity, right? The universality, the unity of the Church. So as we launch into today, let's call upon the Lord God who is one and is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We pray God in heaven, we love you and we thank you. We thank you for the way in which you have brought about a unity and a diversity, variety and a catholicity, universality. Lord God, you have given us this. This cosmic world, right? This world that is so diverse and yet is one world. You've given us this church that is so diverse and yet is one church. And you've made us, Lord God, individuals who are so unique and yet we are one, united into one body in Christ. Lord God, you are the God of variety and unity. You're the God of uniqueness and oneness. And so we come before you as we are as individuals, but we also come before you as a body. We come before you as individual persons, but we also come before you as your church. And we just lift up our minds and our hearts to you right now and ask for you to send your Holy Spirit to fill our individual hearts and minds, but also to unite us even more closely as one body. In the name of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Again, it's day 164. Reading paragraphs 1200 to 1203. Article 2 liturgical diversity and the Unity of the Mystery Liturgical Traditions and the Catholicity of the Church from the first community of Jerusalem until the Parousia, it is the same paschal mystery that the churches of God, faithful to the apostolic faith, celebrate in every place. The mystery celebrated in the liturgy is one, but the forms of its celebration are diverse. The mystery of Christ is so unfathomably rich that it cannot be exhausted by its expression in any single liturgical tradition. The history of the blossoming and development of these rites witnesses to a remarkable complementarity. When the churches lived their respective liturgical traditions in the communion of the faith and the sacraments of the faith, they enriched one another and grew in fidelity to tradition and to the common mission of the whole Church. The diverse liturgical traditions have arisen by very reason of the Church's mission. Churches of the same geographical and cultural area came to celebrate the mystery of Christ through particular expressions characterized by the in the tradition of the deposit of faith, in liturgical symbolism, in the organization of fraternal communion, in the theological understanding of the mysteries, and in various forms of holiness. Through the liturgical life of a local church, Christ, the light and salvation of all peoples, is made manifest to the particular people and culture to which that Church is sent and in which she is rooted. The Church is Catholic, capable of integrating into her unity while purifying them all the authentic riches of cultures. The liturgical traditions or rites presently in use in the Church are the Latin, principally the Roman Rite, but also the rites of certain local churches, such as the Ambrosian Rite or those of certain religious orders, and the Byzantine, Alexandrian or Coptic, Syriac, Armenian, Maronite, and Chaldean rites. In faithful obedience to tradition. The Sacred Council declares that Holy Mother Church holds all lawfully recognized rites to be of equal right and dignity, and that she wishes to preserve them in the future and to foster them in every way. Right, so there we are, paragraphs 1200 to 1203. I think there's something really remarkable because as I mentioned at the very beginning, at the top of the hour, at the beginning of this episode, I mentioned that most people listening to this probably belong to the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church. And yet I know there's a ton of people who belong to the Maronite Rite or the Chaldean rites. They've reached out to me. I'm not sure as much about the Coptic, Syriac, Armenian or Byzantine Alexandrian, but the Chaldean rites, the Maronite rites. There's a lot of places in the United States that have these little pockets of Chaldean Catholics or Maronite Catholics or Byzantine Catholics. And the powerful thing is whenever you get into any of these places, you recognize, okay, this is Catholic, like, this is the Catholic Church. At the same time, you recognize that the rite, the way in which they celebrate the sacraments, the way in which they celebrate the Holy Eucharist, right? The Mass is unique. And again, it's not unique in a way that this is completely foreign. This is so different. This is not even the same thing. It's unique and has this sense of this is so familiar. And there is something powerful, something so beautiful, because a lot of these liturgical rites, the Byzantine Rite, they've kept kind of some of the even more ancient forms, as we know the Catholic Church has in the latin rite. In 1960s, in Second Vatican Council, there was kind of an update. And when I say update, I know people will take that to mean what they mean. There was a change, right? There was a change in the way in which the Mass has been celebrated. And so, you know, people are sometimes critical of that, sometimes people are really grateful for that. Regardless of where anyone lands on this, there's something really powerful about, say, the traditional Latin Mass. Although that's so strange that in church circles, that can be a political statement. It's not. There's something beautiful about the Church's history. So what? That's just the truth, because you get to the Byzantine Rite, the Alexandrian or Coptic Rite, the Syriac Rite, the Armenian, the Maronite or Chaldean rites, and you just, you walk in and you realize there is something powerful and beautiful here as well. And again, this variety doesn't take anything away from the unity. In fact, this is a great example. And we have a lot of great examples in our world, in our culture, a lot of great examples of where variety truly does. You know, it's add to the spice of life, of course, but this variety that's united in a unique way, right? That you could go into a Maronite rite Catholic Church or a Chaldean rite Catholic Church, and you realize, okay, this is fully Catholic, that even if you're a Latin Catholic like me, there's something. So I don't know what to say. I mean, if you have a chance to do this, I highly recommend it. Here's kind of a last thing. It's in paragraph 1202. It says, well, you know, someone could ask, well, how in the world is there such a difference? And the answer is the diverse liturgical traditions have arisen by very reason of the Church's mission. The Church was told, commanded by Jesus Christ to go out into all nations and make disciples and baptize them in the name of the Father and Holy Spirit. And basically, you have these apostles going out, their successors going out, this mission impulse of the Church going out to all places, and then bringing what. Bringing what Jesus had given to the apostles, what Jesus had given to the Church, these sacraments. And then as the apostles, as the missionaries, as bishops and priests, and all these other people are encountering these various cultures, there are a variety of ways in which that the sacrament, you know, the seed that the Lord God had given to the Church, grew differently in different soil. You could say it like that. And so it's the same tree, right? It's the same kind of fruit, but it just was grown in different soil. And because it was grown in different soil, it looks slightly different, but it's the same species. That makes sense. That's my little analogy that I came up with, I don't know, roughly 30 seconds ago. And I think it bears out. But it talks about this. It talks about the particular expressions characterized by the culture. So, for example, the deposit of faith, that there are certain traditions that have grown in different soil. Liturgical symbolism, again, different traditions grow in different soil. For example, what's one I remember hearing about this, that we have tabernacles in the west, our tabernacles, where we reserve our Lord in the Eucharist, look a certain way. They're typically boxes, right? They don't have a lot of art in their structure. But I remember hearing, I've never seen this myself, that in some churches, in some other churches and other rites, the tabernacle or where the Eucharist is reserved is in the shape of a dove or in the shape of some other kind of image. And I was like, oh, that makes sense. Because liturgical symbolism grew differently in different soil. Another way to say it is, you know, the theological understanding of mysteries or various forms of holiness. There are certain traditions or certain rites in the church that have emphasized certain ways of becoming holy, of saying yes to the Lord, that are not as emphasized in other rites. But it's all about the same thing again. There's this unity, and I really like going back to this. It's the same tree just grown in different soil. So I'm gonna. I'm gonna trademark that example, and hopefully it's helpful for you. Tomorrow, we're gonna continue talking about this same reality, the reality of the variety and unity of the church. We're gonna also talk about liturgy and culture, and then we'll have some nuggets at the end of the day. Anyways, it is the end of the day for us today. I am praying for you. Please pray for me. My name is Father Mike. I cannot wait to see you tomorrow. God bless.