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

Episode: Day 342: Trinitarian Prayer (2025)
Date: December 8, 2025
Reading: Catechism of the Catholic Church Paragraphs 2663–2672

Episode Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz explores the Catholic understanding of "Trinitarian Prayer" as outlined in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. He breaks down how authentic Christian prayer is deeply rooted in the Trinity—prayer to the Father, to Jesus, and to the Holy Spirit—while emphasizing the unique access granted to Christians through Christ. Fr. Mike offers insights into the living tradition of prayer, discusses the importance of fidelity to apostolic faith, and provides practical encouragement for listeners to enter more deeply into Trinitarian prayer in their own lives.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Introduction to the Way of Prayer

• Fr. Mike announces the focus on a new section of the Catechism: “the way of prayer” (00:05).
• Emphasis on four wellsprings for prayer:
  • The Word of God
  • The liturgy of the Church
  • The theological virtues (faith, hope, and love)
  • Living in the present moment with God

Quote (01:01):

"If we can't find God today, then we will not be able to find God at any time. If we can't find God here, we will never be able to find God anywhere." – Fr. Mike

2. Living Tradition of Prayer (2663)

• The Church proposes different languages for prayer adapted to each culture (03:31).
  • Words, melodies, gestures, iconography
  • The Magisterium evaluates their fidelity to apostolic faith
• Pastors and catechists should explain these forms with reference to Jesus Christ.

3. No Other Way of Christian Prayer Than Christ (2664)

• Exclusive access to the Father through Christ
• Only in the name of Jesus do our prayers reach God the Father
• Fr. Mike cautions against forms of prayer that omit Jesus’ central role (e.g., centering prayer) (08:58).

Quote (09:21):

"If there is a prayer that does not involve Christ, then that is not Christian prayer." – Fr. Mike

4. Prayer in the Liturgy and to Jesus (2665–2667)

• Though prayer is primarily addressed to the Father, the Church also prays to Jesus
  • Mass prayers usually directed to the Father through the Son, by the Holy Spirit (10:30)
  • Liturgical invocations: "Son of God," "Lamb of God," "Beloved Son," etc.

Quote (12:06):

"When we're at the Mass...almost every prayer is directed to God the Father. And this is important, because...we're offering the sacrifice of the Son to the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit." – Fr. Mike

• The “Jesus Prayer” is highlighted:
  “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

5. The Power and Presence of the Name of Jesus (2666–2668)

• The name “Jesus” is the name that contains everything (14:41)
• To pray Jesus’ name is to invoke his presence and his power
  • The invocation of the Holy Name is not a mere mantra, but a call upon the living God.

Quote (14:49):

"His name is the only one that contains the presence it signifies. Jesus is. His name is his presence, and his presence is his power." – Fr. Mike

• Repeating the Holy Name with attention brings fruit in prayer

6. Praying to the Holy Spirit (2669–2672)

• Catholic prayer tradition includes prayer both through and to the Holy Spirit (07:14)
  • Classic prayers: “Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful…”
  • Liturgical prayers, prayers from Byzantine liturgy
  • The Spirit is “the interior master of Christian prayer"
• Fr. Mike quotes St. Gregory of Nazianzus:

  "If the Spirit should not be worshipped, how can he divinize me through baptism? If he should be worshipped, should he not be the object of adoration?" (13:37)

• There are many paths of prayer, but all true Christian prayer is by the same Spirit

7. Practical Invitation: Entering into Trinitarian Prayer

• Fr. Mike invites listeners to use post-episode silence to actually pray to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (02:02)
• Calls for vulnerability, patience, and openness to the sometimes “dryness or silence of prayer” (02:24)
• Emphasizes that prayer is not just “one occupation among others, but the only occupation, that of loving God” (14:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the foundation of genuine Christian prayer:
  "There is no other way of Christian prayer than Christ." (09:17)

• On the centrality of Jesus' Name:
  "To pray Jesus is to invoke him and to call him within us. His name is the only one that contains the presence it signifies." (14:49; quoting CCC 2666)

• On praying to the Holy Spirit:
  "If you don’t pray to the Holy Spirit, it’s only because you don’t pray to the Holy Spirit. It’s not because the Church told you not to pray to the Holy Spirit." (13:27)

• On the universality of prayer paths:
  "There are as many paths of prayer as there are persons who pray. But it is the same Spirit acting in all and with all." (From CCC, reiterated by Fr. Mike, 14:15)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:05 – 02:30: Fr. Mike welcomes listeners, outlines reading plan, emphasizes encountering God now
• 02:30 – 03:31: Opening prayer—invokes Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; invitation to vulnerability and silence
• 03:31 – 07:14: Reading of paragraphs 2663–2672 from the Catechism
• 08:58 – 15:11: Fr. Mike's commentary: Traditions of prayer, Trinitarian focus, Jesus' name, prayer to the Holy Spirit
• 14:41 – 15:11: The unique power of Jesus’ name; review and encouragement for Trinitarian prayer

Summary Flow & Closing Thoughts

Fr. Mike Schmitz’s teaching in this episode draws listeners into a richer understanding of Trinitarian prayer—presenting prayer not as a solitary or generic spiritual exercise, but as a relationship explicitly grounded in the persons of the Holy Trinity. He underscores that all authentic Christian prayer—whether to the Father, the Son, or the Holy Spirit—remains rooted in Christ as the only mediator, and guided by the Holy Spirit’s action in the soul.

Listeners are reminded that even the simplest invocation of Jesus’ name carries deep presence and power, and that the Church’s tradition invites direct petition and adoration of the Holy Spirit as God.

Fr. Mike concludes by urging listeners to seize the opportunity for real prayer—not just learning about prayer—inviting them into loving dialogue with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He teases the next episode’s focus on prayer in communion with the Holy Mother of God, and closes with his characteristic words of encouragement and prayer for the listeners.

"When we pray to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, we have a God who already is loving us, and we are just simply loving Him in return." (15:05)

End of Summary