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

Episode: Day 47: The Angels (2026)
Date: February 16, 2026
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Readings: Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraphs 331–336

Episode Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz continues his exploration of the invisible world, focusing on angels—their nature, their mission, and their ongoing presence in salvation history and the life of the Church. Drawing from paragraphs 331–336 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Fr. Mike emphasizes Christ as the center of the angelic world and explores the multifaceted relationship between angels, God, and humanity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Christ as the Center of the Angelic World

• Summary:
  Fr. Mike opens by affirming that Christ is “the center of the angelic world.” Angels are fundamentally “his,” created through and for him, and serve as key messengers of his saving plan.
• Notable Quote:

  "They are his angels. Like they belong to Him. And so even though we might talk about... 'my guardian angel,' we recognize, no, they are his. They're his angels. They belong to him because they were created through him and for Him." (03:20)

2. Nature and Mission of Angels

• Angels as Spirits and Messengers:
  • Angels are “purely spiritual creatures” with intelligence and will.
  • St. Augustine’s distinction: “Angel is the name of the office, not of the nature. If you seek the name of their nature, it is spirit; if you seek the name of their office, it is angel.”
• Notable Quote:

  "What they are is a spirit. What they do is angel. So they're messengers. That's the— that's it." (01:56)

• Role in Salvation:
  • Angels have been present “since creation” and throughout salvation history, serving and announcing the divine plan.

3. Scriptural Encounters with Angels

• Old Testament Appearances:
  • Angels guard Eden, protect Lot, save Hagar, stay Abraham’s hand, communicate the law, lead God’s people, announce births, and assist prophets.
  • Example:

    "The angel that gets placed in front of the Garden of Eden to guard the garden... an angel protected Lot or saved Hagar and her child, stayed Abraham’s hand, all these times." (05:08)

• New Testament & Christ’s Life:
  • Angel Gabriel announces the births of John the Baptist and Jesus.
  • Angels surround and serve Christ from the Incarnation through the Ascension—adoration at the Nativity, protection in infancy, ministering in the desert, strengthening in Gethsemane, proclaiming the Resurrection and looking ahead to his return.
• Notable Quote:

  "Their song of praise at the birth of Christ has not ceased resounding in the Church's praise. Glory to God in the highest." (10:37)

4. Angels in the Life of the Church

• Ongoing Presence and Intercession:
  • Angels continue to help the Church: “From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession.”
  • The liturgy joins with the angels in praising God (e.g., “Gloria” and “Sanctus” at Mass).
  • Angels are invoked, especially in funeral liturgies (“In Paradisum deducant te”—“May the angels lead you into paradise”).
  • Particular veneration is given to St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, and guardian angels.
• St. Basil’s Teaching:

  • "Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life." (12:15)

5. Theology and Spiritual Takeaways

• Belonging More Fully to God:
  • We, like the angels, not only belong to God by our existence, but also come to “belong to him more fully” as we serve his will.

  • "Not only our existence, but also in the exercise of our existence... we more fully belong to Him." (14:30)

• Angelic Intercession:
  • Angels have a unique “double mediation”—they bring us God’s tenderness and lift our prayers to Him.

  • "On the one hand, they bring and transmit to us the tenderness of God. On the other hand, they make us go up to God in prayer and intercede for us." (17:13)

6. Encouragement to Awareness

• Spiritual Awareness:
  Fr. Mike challenges listeners: Are we aware of the angels’ presence and ministry? If not, can we “wake up” to this invisible but real gift?
• Notable Quote:

  "Are we aware? Are we aware of them? And if not, can we wake up? Can we become more aware? What a gift." (19:55)

Memorable Quotes with Timestamps

• On Angelic Ownership:

  "They are his angels. Like they belong to Him... They belong to him because they were created through him and for Him." (03:20)

• On the Liturgical Praise:

  "Their song of praise at the birth of Christ has not ceased resounding in the Church’s praise. Glory to God in the highest." (10:37)

• On Intercession:

  "Angels have intercessory power. So do the saints... Angels kind of have a ascendant and a descendant mediation." (17:06)

• On Guidance:

  "Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd, leading him to life already here on earth." (12:15)

• On Our Call:

  "Our call is to be just as completely surrendered to the Lord." (13:45)

• On Spiritual Awareness:

  "Are we aware? Are we aware of them? And if not, can we wake up? Can we become more aware? What a gift." (19:55)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction & Theme Overview: [00:00–04:00]
• Christ as Center of Angelic World: [04:00–06:00]
• Scriptural Appearances of Angels: [06:00–08:30]
• Angels in Christ’s Life and the Church: [08:30–11:30]
• Angels in the Liturgy & Intercessory Role: [11:30–17:30]
• Theological Reflection on Belonging: [14:00–17:00]
• Encouragement & Final Takeaways: [17:30–End]

Tone and Final Encouragement

Fr. Mike’s tone throughout the episode is warm, conversational, enthusiastic, and inviting—a mix of awe, gratitude, and spiritual encouragement. He continually draws listeners into wonder at the gift of God’s creation, both visible and invisible, and the unfailing help of angels, while inviting deeper awareness and surrender to God’s loving plan.

Summary Takeaway

This episode reminds listeners that angels—God’s messengers and spiritual servants—are not remote, esoteric beings, but powerful participants in God’s plan and in our daily Catholic life. We are invited both to marvel and to recognize the continual, often unseen assistance of angels in worship, intercession, and protection, echoing their surrender by offering ourselves ever more fully to Christ.

"You haven't left me alone. You're present and your angels are present." (18:53)