As we step into Part Three of the Catechism on How We Live, we begin with an overview of our high calling as sons and daughters of God. Truly our “first and last point of reference” will always be “Jesus Christ himself, who is ‘the way, and the Truth, and the life.’” Fr. Mike identifies for us that when most people say, “I can’t accept what the Church teaches”, it’s rarely about dogma, like the Trinity or the divinity of Christ. More often than not, it’s about Christian morality, and that’s the journey we’re embarking on. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1691-1698.

This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB.

For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

The third part of the Catechism tells us how to live—how God has revealed that we are made to act toward him, toward each other, and toward ourselves. Fr. Mike and Dr. Mary Healy dive deep into moral theology, the state of our culture, and some of the stumbling blocks readers are bound to encounter in this part of the Catechism (as well as how to overcome them).

This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB.

For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

In this final episode of Pillar 2, we learn about the Christian funeral rite. Fr. Mike explains how the new life begun in Baptism comes to greater fulfillment as the Christian passes over from this earthly life into the fullness of the Kingdom. The Church, who has sacramentally nourished her children throughout their earthly pilgrimage, upon their death commends them to the Father and places their bodies in the earth to await the resurrection in hope. Each funeral is to end with a farewell to the beloved dead, knowing that we still share communion in Christ and will reunite in our heavenly home. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1680-1690.

This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB.

For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Sacramentals are sacred signs that resemble the sacraments. Blessings of people, places, and objects are foremost among the various sacramentals found in the life of the Church. Among these blessings are those of exorcism, in both its simple and solemn form. Fr. Mike notes that sacramentals and the many forms of popular piety, such as the Rosary, are noble expressions of faith that prepare us to participate in the Liturgy but can never replace the Liturgy. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1667-1679.

This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB.

For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

This summary of the Catechism's teaching on the sacrament of Matrimony pulls together several beautiful themes regarding marriage and family. Fr. Mike emphasizes the family as the Domestic Church, that community where parents and children grow in charity, forgiveness, prayer, and self-giving. We're reminded that the communion of love shared by husband and wife in marriage is a sacramental sign of the union between Christ and his Church. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 1659 through 1666.

For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

“Children are the supreme gift of marriage,” says Vatican II. Marriage is directed by its very nature toward the procreation of children. Beyond this, parents are the primary educators of their children, responsible for their holistic formation. Sadly, many couples suffer from infertility. Even in their struggle, they can provide a powerful witness of love, sacrifice, and fidelity. In all this and more, we see the family as the Domestic Church. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1652-1658.

This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB.

For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

“Love seeks to be definitive,” the Catechism tells us in this section on marital fidelity. The faithfulness of husband and wife in the sacrament of Matrimony is a sign of God’s irrevocable covenant with humanity. This fidelity is both beautiful and challenging. Fr. Mike addresses painful situations of separation and divorce and how the whole ecclesial community should respond with truthful love. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1646 through 1651.

For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

The grace of the Sacrament of Marriage provides husbands and wives the strength to love one another with supernatural, tender, and fruitful love. Fr. Mike covers the characteristics of the marriage bond and the different roles of husbands and wives. He explains what it means to “be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.” We also learn that indissolubility, faithfulness, and openness to fertility are requirements of conjugal love. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1638-1645.

For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Can a Catholic marry a baptized non-Catholic or a non-baptized person? Fr. Mike breaks down the Church’s teaching on mixed marriages and disparity of cult. The Catechism teaches us that while a difference in religion “does not constitute an insurmountable obstacle for marriage,” it can often be a source of tension in marriage and present significant challenges when raising a family. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1633-1637.

This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB.

For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Matrimonial consent is an indispensable element of the Sacrament of Marriage. Fr. Mike explains why it is essential for those entering marriage to express their consent freely and why in the Church’s eyes, “if consent is lacking, there is no marriage.” Fr. Mike also guides us through the Church’s teaching on annulment and clarifies why it can be complex. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1625-1632.

For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.