Promoting the Lay Apostolate in the World
A space for women seeking to explore and exercise their lay apostolate in the world through the ordinary responsibilities and realities of life.
Serving God Is More Within Reach Than You Think
Your daily and ordinary life — what does it look like?
You have relationships, family, work, responsibilities, decisions to make, and concerns to deal with. You see, these ordinary circumstances are what the Church calls “fields of lay apostolate”.
The reality is that you are already in the field of your apostolate. The question, therefore, is this: would you like to live your apostolate?
To do that, you need to shift the way you approach these daily realities: not merely as ordinary life, but consciously and intentionally as opportunities for Christian action, so that by doing so, you participate in the mission of Christ on earth, the mission of the Church, and the renewal of the temporal order.
For now, you may not yet recognise these ordinary realities as a natural place to serve God. But in truth, they are.
One life. Ordered to God.
A life that serves God is simply one life.
Not a spiritual life on one side and real life on the other.
One life. Lived before God.
When you understand this, you begin to see your lay vocation more clearly: to serve Christ in the world through the realities of life.
WHY THE LAY APOSTOLATE
What does the lay apostolate have to do with me?
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Baptised in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, you have received an identity that is not merely symbolic. This identity shapes how you are meant to participate in human society and brings with it responsibilities towards God, and towards the people and life entrusted to you.
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In Matthew 25:31–46, Jesus names ordinary, concrete actions that improve the human condition as what sets the righteous apart, adding that what is done for “the least of His brothers and sisters” is done for Him. This is mission in ordinary life: doing the Will of God through concrete acts of love, service and responsibility. And Jesus Himself tells us who His brothers and sisters are: those who do the Will of God. (Mk 3:35)
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“The truly capable woman — who can find her? She is far more precious than pearls.” Proverbs 31 describes a woman who honours the responsibilities entrusted to her in household life, economic life and public life. Yet, as active as she is, she does not lose sight of what matters most: being a woman of God. “Charm is deceitful, and beauty empty; the woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
Living the Lay Apostolate
What do I need to exercise my lay apostolate?
A sound understanding of discipleship and stewardship, ongoing faith formation, a strong will and determination to align our lives with Christian values, human formation, Christian maturity, and, last but not least, a sacramental life.
Start where you are, with what you already have: your life circumstances, responsibilities, talents, skills, relationships, aspirations and influence.
A practical example: if you long for a world where justice prevails, begin by exercising God’s justice today — towards yourself, your family, your relationships, in your workplace, in your decisions, and in the way you treat the people placed before you.
Where do I start?
One day at a time. One task at a time. With what you have now, not with what you hope to have later.
The lay apostolate is not something we postpone until our life is perfect or until all our needs are met. It is serving God in the present with what we already have, guided by the Holy Spirit, and working towards multiplying it to expand our reach beyond what we ever thought possible.
How do I live it?
Questions about the lay vocation, the lay apostolate, or how to live it in your circumstances?
What Is Needed?
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Understanding of discipleship and stewardship
Because the lay apostolate begins with recognising that we belong to Christ and that we have a purpose.
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Ongoing faith formation
Because we cannot live according to a faith we do not understand, or exercise a mission we have not been formed to recognise.
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A strong will and determination
Because knowing God’s Will and doing God’s Will are not the same thing; the lay apostolate requires courage and perseverance.
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Human formation
Because God works through human persons. Weaknesses in character, relationships, judgement and self-mastery limit our ability to serve Him.
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Christian maturity
Because the lay apostolate requires more than enthusiasm. It requires stability, wisdom, prudence and fidelity.
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A sacramental life
Because the lay apostolate is not sustained by human effort alone. Without grace, we cannot exercise our apostolate faithfully.
TAKE ACTION TODAYYour Everyday Life Can Be Your Apostolate
Apostolate begins with being sent.
“As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
— John 20:21
God is already at work, and the baptised are invited into that work. We have a place within it. We have responsibilities within it.
Our work as Christians is broader than employment. It includes family, society, culture, politics, economics, education, service and creation. We have a mission within each field: to influence and shape it so that it reflects Christ.
If you are ready to explore the lay apostolate with the intention of living it, reach out.
Where Is Your Field of Apostolate?
Marriage & Family
Youth
Do you work with young people, care about their formation, or feel responsible for helping them grow in faith, identity, character and purpose?
Are you preparing for marriage, discerning a relationship, raising a family, and wonder how they can be lived as service to God?
Social, Cultural & Public Life
Work & Economic Life
Concerned about society, culture, justice, politics, civic life, media, education or the common good? How can you bring Christ into public life?
Is your work, business, profession, leadership, or economic responsibility one of the main places where God might be asking you to serve Him?