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

Day 310: The Gift of a Child (2025)

Date: November 6, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Catechism Paragraphs: 2373–2379

Episode Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz examines the Catechism’s teaching on the gift and dignity of children, the pains of infertility, and the moral boundaries that protect human procreation within marriage. Drawing from both the Catechism and personal pastoral experience, Fr. Mike discusses the meaning of children as blessings, the suffering of sterile couples, the morality of reproductive technologies, and the virtue of generosity—inviting listeners to deeper reflection on the meaning, rights, and responsibilities of family within the Catholic faith.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Children as Blessings and Signs of Generosity

• The Catechism reaffirms that Sacred Scripture and traditional practice see large families as a sign of God’s blessing and parental generosity.

• Fr. Mike cautions that the Church does not set a required number of children; it encourages responsible parenthood, determined by the couple in conversation with God.

  "Remember, the church doesn't say you have to have a certain number of children in order to be Catholic. ... That is between the couple and the Lord." (10:01)

• Anecdote: Fr. Mike shares a story of a family with 16 children (8 biological, 8 adopted) as an example of extraordinary generosity, while noting that other families may struggle with just a few children—and both scenarios are valid expressions of faithfulness.

2. The Suffering of Infertility

• Infertility is recognized as a profound source of suffering, reflected in the laments of biblical figures like Abraham, Sarah, Rachel, and Jacob.
• The Catechism encourages legitimate research to reduce human sterility, provided it serves the good and dignity of the child and respects God’s design.

  "Couples who discover that they're sterile suffer greatly. I mean, this is the story of scripture ... there is something so profound about that desire for children that would, in some ways, can drive a couple to do almost anything." (13:12)

3. Morality of Reproductive Technologies

• The Church draws a clear moral line against techniques that separate the procreative act from conjugal union—especially those introducing third parties (donor sperm/egg, surrogacy).

  • These are considered gravely immoral because they violate the unity of the spouses and the rights of the child.
  • Even techniques involving only the couple, like homologous artificial insemination, are morally unacceptable if they dissociate the sexual and procreative acts.

• Key Catechism Summary:

  "Under the moral aspect, procreation is deprived of its proper perfection when it is not willed as the fruit of the conjugal act..." (16:45)

• The dignity and rights of the child are central:

  "The only person who has a right in this situation is the child ... and those genuine rights are the right to be the fruit of the specific act of the conjugal love of his parents; the right to be respected as a person from the moment of his conception." (19:40)

4. Children are Gifts, Not Entitlements

• The Catechism is emphatic: A child may not be considered property or a right.
• Couples do not have a “right” to a child; the only real rights in this arena belong to the child.
• Fr. Mike highlights the danger of entitlement, reminding listeners to see every child as a gift to be cherished, not an object to be acquired.

  "If I have a right to a child, then the temptation... is to see that this is my child, as opposed to this is the child who I did not have a right to, but is simply... a gift." (18:55)

5. Sterility Is Not an Absolute Evil

• The Church recognizes that sterility is a consequence of the fallen world but not an ultimate evil.

• Couples who exhaust moral means to overcome infertility are called to unite their suffering with the Cross of Christ, often finding fruitfulness in other forms—such as adoption or service.

  "All of us are called to be a saint. ... Every one of us is called to unite our sufferings ... with the Lord's Cross, the source of all spiritual fruitfulness." (21:15)

• Adoption and service are recommended as meaningful, generous responses.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the Experience of Infertility:

• "There is something so profound about that desire for children that would, in some ways, can drive a couple to do almost anything, almost anything to just let us have a child."
  (13:34)

On the Danger of Entitlement:

• "A child may not be considered a piece of property, an idea to which an alleged right to a child would lead... Only the child possesses genuine rights."
  (18:55, summarizing Catechism 2378)

On the Heartbreak of Infertility:

• "I know couples—I am related to couples—I love couples who are in the midst of this... Here we are, we're doing everything right... and yet we find ourselves childless. That is a real pain."
  (17:55)

On God’s Constant Love:

• "God loves you. He has not forgotten you. He has not abandoned you. He is there. In the midst of your suffering, in the midst of your heartbreak, in the midst of your grief. He is there and he's calling you: OK, look up. Look up. And what's the next step?"
  (26:10)

On Living Generously:

• "We've been called to love with the cards we've been dealt. We've been called to love in the circumstances in which we find ourselves. We're called to love in the midst of whatever cross it is we find ourselves carrying."
  (25:05)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:05 — Opening, recap, prayer
• 04:30 — Introduction to today’s Catechism paragraphs: children as gifts, boundaries protecting their dignity
• 10:01 — Large families, responsible parenthood, and freedom of couples
• 13:12 — The pain and biblical resonance of infertility
• 15:40 — Encouragement and parameters of scientific research on sterility
• 16:45 — Immorality of separating procreation from conjugal love; summary of Church teaching
• 18:55 — Children as gifts, not entitlements; only the child has rights
• 21:15 — Spiritual fecundity, taking up the Cross, alternatives like adoption
• 25:05 — Embracing life’s circumstances as calls to love
• 26:10 — Closing encouragement and prayer for listeners

Conclusion

Fr. Mike’s reflection artfully navigates the joys and heartaches of Catholic teaching on children, family, and infertility, calling listeners to a deeper respect for the dignity of the child, to faithful and generous love, and to the comfort that God is present in every cross. The episode is both catechetically clear and pastorally tender, honoring both the teaching of the Church and the heartbreaks of real families.

For all seeking to understand the Catholic perspective on the gift and rights of children, this episode provides both compassionate insights and practical spiritual encouragement, grounding all life and suffering in Christ’s loving presence.