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

Episode: Day 343: Praying Through Mary (2025)
Air Date: December 9, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Reading: Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraphs 2673-2682

Episode Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz delves into the role of the Virgin Mary in Christian prayer, as explained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2673-2682). He reflects on why Catholics pray through Mary, her unique relationship to Jesus and the Church, and how devotion to Mary enriches our union with Christ. The foundation for this teaching is the “Hail Mary” prayer, and Fr. Mike breaks down its scriptural and theological significance, showing how Mary leads believers closer to Jesus.

Key Discussion Points

1. Mary’s Role in Prayer and Salvation History

• The Catechism teaches that, in prayer, the Holy Spirit unites Christians to Jesus, and through Him, to Mary, the Mother of God (03:45).
• Mary’s perpetual “yes” (fiat) to God—from the Annunciation to the foot of the cross—makes her an exemplary model of faith and surrender (03:45-04:26).
  • Quote: “Mary, she gave her constant affirmation, her surrender to the Lord, her submission to the Lord. … She’s the model. She shows us the way of prayer, but also she’s been given to us as our mother.” (00:47)

2. The Structure and Meaning of the Hail Mary

• The “skeleton” of the Catechism’s Marian teaching is the Hail Mary prayer.
• The prayer encapsulates two movements:
  1. Magnifying the Lord for His works in Mary,
  2. Entrusting believers’ prayers and supplications to her (04:26).
• Scriptural Roots:
  • Gabriel’s greeting (“full of grace, the Lord is with you”) and Elizabeth’s acclamation (“blessed are you among women”) form the majority of the prayer (04:26-07:15).
• Mary is called the “Ark of the Covenant,” regarded as the dwelling place of God on earth (05:37).

3. Mary as the Mother of Believers

• Mary’s faith made her “the mother of believers,” paralleling Abraham’s role as the father of faith (06:24).
• Her cooperation in salvation allows her to intercede for all her spiritual children (06:24-07:58).
  • Quote: “Mary is Mother of God and our mother. We can entrust all our cares and petitions to her. She prays for us as she prayed for herself: ‘Let it be to me according to your word.’” (07:43)

4. The Universal and Timeless Nature of Marian Prayer

• The Western tradition developed the Rosary as a companion to the Liturgy of the Hours, while Eastern traditions have their own Marian hymns and litanies (08:05).
• Regardless of method, across Catholic and Orthodox branches, Marian prayer consistently directs believers to Christ through His mother (08:05-08:32).

5. Mary’s Unique Spiritual Maternity

• Mary embodies the praying Church—the “perfect Orans”—and models perfect adherence to God’s will.
• When believers pray with or to Mary, they join in her “yes” to God’s saving plan (08:32-09:06).
• Quote: “When we pray to her, we are adhering with her to the plan of the Father, who sends His Son to save all men.” (08:32)

6. Clarifying Mary’s Role: Not a Rival, But an Aid

• Jesus is and remains the sole mediator between God and man. Mary isn’t God, but she isn’t excluded from God’s plan—she assists without detracting from the centrality of Christ (11:32).
• Fr. Mike challenges the misconception that honoring Mary somehow detracts from trust in Jesus.
  • Quote: “To love Mary doesn’t mean our heart belongs any less to Jesus. And to ask for Our Lady’s prayers does not reduce our trust in Jesus, but we’re uniting our trust to her trust.” (12:00)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Marian Devotion:
  “I don’t know that necessarily our prayer is more robust if we ignore the mom that was given to us. … If we would just take a moment even and to reflect back on paragraphs 2676 to 2677, just these two paragraphs … we get to realize that to love Mary doesn’t mean our heart belongs any less to Jesus.” (12:13)
• On Mary’s Presence:
  “Mary was with Jesus, her son, our Lord, her Lord, from the very moment of his conception in her womb, all the way to the moment … when he gave up his spirit. … Mary was present to every moment of our God’s life on earth.” (10:54)
• The Church’s Confidence in Mary:
  “The prayer of the Church is sustained by the prayer of Mary and united with it in hope and that we just get to have confidence. … Praise God for giving us this mom. This mom in this life and in the next life.” (13:08)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:47] – Introduction to Mary as Mother and Model of Prayer
• [03:45] – Catechism’s Teaching: Union with Christ and Mary in Prayer
• [04:26] – Breakdown of the Hail Mary Prayer and Its Biblical Roots
• [06:24] – Mary as the Faithful Believer and Spiritual Mother
• [08:05] – Historical Expressions of Marian Prayer in East and West
• [08:32] – Mary as the “Perfect Orans” and Figure of the Church
• [09:34] – Fr. Mike’s Reflections on Marian Intercession and the Heart of Catholic Prayer
• [12:00] – Addressing Misconceptions: Honoring Mary Intensifies, Not Dilutes, Love for Christ
• [13:08] – Final Thoughts on Mary’s Ongoing Intercession and Spiritual Maternity

Conclusion

Fr. Mike Schmitz concludes by emphasizing the deep spiritual benefit of praying with and through Mary. He urges listeners never to fear that honoring Mary could distract from Jesus, since her whole purpose is to bring believers to her Son. This Marian devotion, rooted in Scripture and longstanding Church tradition, is a vibrant and hope-filled part of Catholic spiritual life.

Fr. Mike’s Parting Blessing:
“I’m praying for you. Please pray for me. My name is Father Mike. I cannot wait to see you tomorrow. God bless.”

For tomorrow: The podcast will explore the role of the saints and additional guides for prayer.