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

Episode Summary: Day 97 – Introduction to the Holy Spirit

Date: April 7, 2026
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz, Ascension
Catechism Reading: Paragraphs 683–688

Episode Overview

In Day 97 of “The Catechism in a Year,” Fr. Mike begins Chapter Three: “I Believe in the Holy Spirit,” introducing listeners to the Church’s teaching about the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. Drawing on Catechism paragraphs 683–688, Fr. Mike unpacks the gradual divine revelation of the Holy Spirit, the essential role of the Spirit in connecting us to Christ and the Father, and the concrete ways the Holy Spirit is active in the Church and in individual believers today.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Foundational Role of the Holy Spirit

• No encounter with Christ without the Holy Spirit:
  Fr. Mike emphasizes that it is only through the Holy Spirit that we can know and confess Jesus as Lord.
  • “No one can say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.” (00:41, quoting 1 Cor 12:3 & Catechism 683)
• Baptism as the gateway:
  The Holy Spirit initiates faith and new life in believers, especially through baptism.
  • “To be in touch with Christ, we must first have been touched by the Holy Spirit. He comes to meet us and kindles faith in us.” (04:00)

2. Progressive Revelation of the Trinity

• The Divine Pedagogy:
  Using teachings from Saints Irenaeus and Gregory of Nazianzus, Fr. Mike explains that God revealed Himself as Father, then Son, then Holy Spirit, unfolding the mystery of the Trinity over time.
  • St. Irenaeus: “It is impossible to see God's Son without the Spirit, and no one can approach the Father without the Son. For the knowledge of the Father is the Son, and the knowledge of God's Son is obtained through the Holy Spirit.” (07:05)
  • St. Gregory: “The Old Testament proclaimed the Father clearly, but the Son more obscurely. The New Testament revealed the Son and gave us a glimpse of the divinity of the Spirit. Now the Spirit dwells among us and grants us a clearer vision of Himself.” (08:03)
• Divine Economy vs. Theology:
  Fr. Mike distinguishes between “theology” (who God is in Himself) and “economy” (how God acts in the world), stating the current section focuses on the Holy Spirit’s action in salvation history and our lives.
  • “Theology is who God is in himself... economy is how he reveals Himself to us.” (10:08)

3. Now: The Era of the Holy Spirit

• With Christ’s incarnation, death, and resurrection completed, we live in a unique time where the Holy Spirit is fully revealed, recognized, and welcomed as a Person.
  • “These end times right now, where you and I are living, the Spirit is revealed and given. He’s recognized and welcomed as a person.” (02:48)
• The Spirit “makes actual” what Christ accomplished, connecting us to the redeeming acts of Jesus.

4. Where Is the Holy Spirit Found? — The Eight Markers

(Referencing Catechism 688, explained at 13:14–15:35)

1. In Scripture
   • “The Scriptures he inspired.”
2. In Tradition
   • “The tradition to which the Church Fathers are always timely witnesses.”
3. In the Church’s Magisterium
   • “Which He assists.”
4. In the Sacramental Liturgy
   • “Through its words and symbols, in which the Holy Spirit puts us into communion with Christ.”
5. In Prayer
   • “Wherein he intercedes for us.”
6. In Charisms and Ministries
   • “By which the Church is built up.”
7. In the Signs of Apostolic and Missionary Life
   • “Every initiative, every outreach—ministry, serving people—that’s the Holy Spirit.”
8. In the Witness of Saints

   • “Through whom the Holy Spirit manifests his holiness and continues the work of salvation.”

   • Fr. Mike: “God is glorified in his saints… what we’re seeing is God’s gifts on display in the life of an ordinary human being.” (15:51)

Memorable Quotes & Commentary

• On the Holy Spirit’s mysterious work:
  “If we have come to know Jesus, ever, anything about Christ, if we’ve had any encounter with Christ, it’s always been by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (13:43)
• On the Trinity’s unity in action:
  “It’s not as if one member, one person of the Trinity works when the other one doesn’t — they all work together. But they all work together. That’s remarkable.” (09:34)
• On prayer and the Holy Spirit:
  “Every time we pray as Christians, we pray in the power of the Holy Spirit. So that’s my invitation: pray for each other in the power of the Holy Spirit.” (17:24)

Timestamped Section Highlights

| Timestamp | Segment | Summary | |-----------|-------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:41 | Theme Introduction | Fr. Mike introduces the role of the Holy Spirit in faith | | 04:00 | Role of the Spirit in Faith & Baptism | Explains that knowing Christ requires first being moved by the Spirit | | 07:05 | St. Irenaeus on the Trinity | Discusses procession from Spirit to Son to Father | | 08:03 | St. Gregory on Divine Pedagogy | Traces Old/New Testament revelation of Trinity | | 10:08 | Theology vs. Divine Economy | Distinguishes God’s being from His actions | | 13:14 | The Eight Ways to Know the Spirit | Lists and explains Catechism 688’s markers of the Spirit’s activity | | 15:51 | Saints as Evidence of the Spirit | Saints as manifestations of holiness and God’s gifting through the Spirit | | 17:24 | Call to Prayer in the Spirit | Fr. Mike’s invitation to mutual and Spirit-empowered prayer |

Conclusion & Takeaways

• This episode inaugurates a deep dive into the Holy Spirit, inviting listeners to recognize the Spirit’s foundational and ongoing work in every aspect of the faith.
• The Trinity’s revelation has unfolded progressively, culminating in this age of the Spirit’s presence among believers.
• The Holy Spirit animates Scripture, Tradition, the Church’s teaching, worship, prayer, ministries, missionary work, and sanctity—making tangible the saving work of Christ in the world.
• Practical challenge: Fr. Mike encourages praying for one another in the power of the Holy Spirit, recognizing this divine presence as vital and accessible.

“Pray for each other in the power of the Holy Spirit. Please pray for me. I am praying for you in the power of the Holy Spirit.” (17:36 – Fr. Mike)