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

Episode: Day 71: Mary’s Virginity (2026)

Date: March 12, 2026
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Sections Covered: Catechism Paragraphs 495-501

Main Theme

This episode focuses on three fundamental Catholic beliefs about the Blessed Virgin Mary:

1. Her Divine Motherhood (as Mother of God)
2. Her Virginity, specifically the virginal conception of Jesus
3. Her perpetual virginity ("ever Virgin")

Fr. Mike reads and unpacks Catechism paragraphs 495-501, addressing objections and clarifying how these Marian doctrines connect with the faith and salvation history.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Mary’s Divine Motherhood

[01:45 - 03:00]

• Mary is called the "Mother of God" (Theotokos) because she gave birth to Jesus, who is both fully God and fully man.
• Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, refers to Mary as "the mother of my Lord" (see Luke 1:43), affirming Mary’s unique role.
• The Catechism teaches that Jesus, conceived in her womb by the Holy Spirit, is the eternal Son of God.

Notable Quote:

“She is the Theotokos, right? She is the Mother of God in a real way.”
— Fr. Mike [01:28]

2. Mary’s Virginity and Jesus’ Virginal Conception

[03:00 - 07:50]

• The Church has always confessed Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, not by human fatherhood.
• The event is corporeal—Jesus’ conception was real and physical, not symbolic or mythical.
• St. Ignatius of Antioch (early 2nd century) already affirms the belief in Jesus’ virginal conception:

  “You are firmly convinced about our Lord, who is truly of the race of David, according to the flesh, Son of God, according to the will and power of God, truly born of a virgin…” — Catechism quoted by Fr. Mike [06:38]

• The Gospels (particularly Matthew and Luke) portray the virginal conception as an act of God, surpassing human understanding.
• Objections addressed:
  • Some note that Mark’s Gospel and certain epistles are silent on the virginal conception; the Church notes that this teaching faced opposing views, making it unlikely to be borrowed from other religions.
  • Its persistence in Christian doctrine is because it's true—not because it was culturally convenient or mythologically inspired.

Notable Quote:

“The only reason they passed it on is because it was true. And that’s the remarkable thing, the only reason why the church ever believed this… it made things harder to believe!”
— Fr. Mike [07:36]

• St. Ignatius’ insight: The virginal conception, the birth of Jesus, and the Lord’s Passion "escaped the notice of the Prince of this world"—these mysteries were accomplished in "God’s silence" ([07:55])

3. Mary, Ever Virgin – Perpetual Virginity

[07:50 - 13:15]

• The Church has deepened its confession: Mary’s virginity is perpetual—not just before Jesus’ birth but also during and after.
• Christ’s birth did not diminish Mary’s virginal integrity; it sanctified it.
• The liturgy refers to Mary as "ever-virgin" (aeiparthenos/hypothenos).
• Objection: The Bible mentions Jesus’ "brothers and sisters."
  • The Church explains these are not biological siblings but close relatives—James and Joseph are identified as sons of "the other Mary," a disciple of Christ (see Matthew 27:56).
  • In Semitic usage, “Adelphoi” (Greek: brothers) can also mean cousins, uncles, nephews, or extended kin.
• St. Jerome (4th-5th centuries), when prompted to respond to accusations that Jesus had siblings, remarked that such a view was unknown in early Christianity. He wrote a defense only so people wouldn’t think there was no answer.

Notable Quote:

“No one in the history of Christianity has ever believed that—no one’s ever believed that Mary had other children other than Jesus.”
— Fr. Mike summarizing St. Jerome’s perspective [11:56]

• Mary’s spiritual motherhood: While Jesus is her only son, her motherhood extends spiritually to all people Christ came to save.

Notable Quote:

“Mary is truly… she has more than one child because she has everyone whom Jesus Christ has redeemed, everyone whom Jesus has saved, everyone for whom Jesus died—he also entrusted to Mary as their mother.”
— Fr. Mike [13:17]

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Fr. Mike’s encouragement to listeners:

  “If you made it to day 71, if you made it to today, that’s no small feat… I’m really proud of you.”
  [02:02]

• On the miraculous nature of the Incarnation:

  “This is so critical: that Jesus truly is conceived of the Holy Spirit… This is completely a new thing.”
  [05:15]

• On Mary’s sharing:

  “Thank you, Jesus, for sharing your mom with us. Wow.”
  [13:45]

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:45] — Introduction to Mary's Divine Motherhood
• [03:00] — Explaining the Virginal Conception
• [06:30] — St. Ignatius of Antioch affirms Marian doctrines
• [07:50] — The silence of some New Testament books and faith in the virginal conception
• [09:25] — Perpetual Virginity: Church doctrine and St. Jerome’s response
• [11:30] — Adelphoi: Meaning and Church tradition
• [13:15] — Mary’s spiritual motherhood to all Christians

Tone and Style

Fr. Mike retains a warm, accessible, and encouraging tone, blending theological clarity with pastoral care. He meets objections candidly and invites listeners into deeper trust and awe at the mysteries of faith.

Summary

This episode offered a thorough teaching on Mary’s unique role in salvation history:

• Mother of God: The Church’s scriptural and traditional foundations for calling Mary Theotokos.
• Virginity: Jesus’ conception was entirely by the Holy Spirit; this belief is ancient, foundational, and unrelated to myth.
• Perpetual Virginity: Careful explanation of ancient languages and custom reveals that claims about Jesus’ siblings misunderstand original usage; Mary’s spiritual motherhood now includes all the faithful.

Fr. Mike invites gratitude to Jesus for giving us Mary as mother, emphasizing the beauty and mystery of these interconnected Marian doctrines in the life of the Church.

Closing Blessing:

“I’m praying for you. Please pray for me. My name is Father Mike. I cannot wait to see you tomorrow. God bless.”
— Fr. Mike [14:02]