Summary of "Day 211: The One Priesthood of Christ"
The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Release Date: July 30, 2025

Introduction

In Day 211 of Ascension’s The Catechism in a Year podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz delves into Paragraphs 1539 to 1545 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, focusing on The One Priesthood of Christ. This episode explores the continuity and fulfillment of the Old Covenant priesthood in Jesus Christ, highlighting the unique role of Christ as the sole mediator between God and humanity.

Key Topics and Discussions

1. Recap of Previous Episodes

   • Fr. Mike begins by summarizing the previous day's discussion on the sacraments of mission: Holy Orders and Matrimony. He emphasizes that these sacraments root believers in the body of Christ, transforming them into God's children through Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.

2. The Old Covenant Priesthood

   • Levitical Priesthood: Fr. Mike explains that in the Old Covenant, God designated the Tribe of Levi as priests to serve liturgically. These priests acted on behalf of the people, offering gifts and sacrifices to restore communion with God (Paragraphs 1539-1545).
   • Melchizedek’s Prefiguration: He highlights the figure of Melchizedek from Genesis 14:18-20 and Psalms, as a prefiguration of Christ’s eternal priesthood, unbound by genealogy, unlike the Levitical priesthood.

3. Fulfillment in the New Covenant

   • Christ as the One Priest: Fr. Mike articulates that Jesus Christ fulfills all types of Old Testament priesthoods—Levitical, Melchizedekian, and fatherhood—establishing the New Covenant.
   • Unique Sacrifice of Christ: Emphasizing Paragraph 1540, he explains that while the Old priests’ sacrifices were repetitive and insufficient for salvation, Christ’s single sacrifice on the cross accomplishes definitive sanctification.
   • Ministerial Priesthood: He clarifies that all ministerial priests are not additional priests but participate in Christ’s one priesthood, making His unique sacrifice present during Mass.

4. Practical Implications for Believers

   • Kingdom Priesthood: Fr. Mike encourages all baptized Catholics to recognize their role as part of the Kingdom Priesthood, participating in Christ’s priestly mission through daily lives and sacraments.
   • Impact of Attendance: He underscores the importance of attending Mass, stating, “When we show up, we exercise that priesthood and God is that much more glorified and the world is that much more sanctified.”

5. Anecdotes and Personal Reflections

   • Fr. Mike shares an experience from his summer camp, where students grapple with understanding the uniqueness of Christ’s priesthood. One student correctly asserts, “There is one priest,” reinforcing the theological point that Jesus is the sole true priest.

Notable Quotes

• Introduction of the Episode:

  • “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 in God's family as we journey together toward our heavenly home.”
    (00:05)

• On the Uniqueness of Christ’s Priesthood:

  • “Only Christ is the true priest, the others being only his ministers.” – St. Thomas Aquinas
    (Throughout the discussion)

• Student’s Insight at Camp:

  • “There is one priest.”
    (Approximately 25:30)

• Encouragement on Participating in Priesthood:

  • “Every time we celebrate the Mass, we're not re-sacrificing Jesus, we're merely representing that one sacrifice once for all.”
    (38:45)

Insights and Reflections

Fr. Mike skillfully bridges the Old and New Covenants, illustrating how the Old Testament priesthood anticipates the ultimate priesthood of Christ. By dissecting the roles of the Levitical and Melchizedekian priests, he clarifies that Jesus fulfills and transcends these roles, establishing a singular, eternal priesthood that believers participate in through their ordained and lay vocations.

The emphasis on the kingdom priesthood reinforces the Catholic understanding that all baptized members share in Christ’s priestly mission, highlighting a communal and universal aspect of sanctification and service. Fr. Mike's anecdotes, especially from his camp, make the theological concepts relatable, ensuring that listeners grasp the profound yet accessible nature of Christ’s unique role.

Conclusion

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz provides a comprehensive exploration of The One Priesthood of Christ, elucidating its roots in the Old Covenant and its fulfillment in the New. By emphasizing the uniqueness of Jesus as the sole true priest and the participatory role of all believers, he invites listeners to deepen their understanding and active engagement in their faith journey. The episode not only educates but also inspires, encouraging Catholics to embody their priestly calling in daily life and communal worship.

Listen to the Full Episode: The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) - Day 211