Apostolicam Actuositatem: The Apostolate of Lay People

By John Graveline, Director of Parish Life

May 31, 2026

“Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross . . . pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble.”

Hebrews 12:1-2, 14-15

As we continue to reflect upon the documents of Vatican II at the beginning of the Year of the Holy Spirit, this week we explore The Decree on the Apostolate of Lay People (also known by its Latin title Apostolicam actuositatem). This document is best considered in light of Chapter IV (“The Laity”) of The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church which we read last week. I would like to offer a few aspects of these documents that might be beneficial for us to consider at the outset of this Year of the Holy Spirit.

Vatican II was very clear not to center the lay vocation in what we are not, but in what we are, baptized members in Christ.

First, let us define what it means to be a lay person in the Church and what is at the root of this identity. A lay person is any Christian who has not received the Sacrament of Holy Orders (Bishops, Priests, and Deacons) or is not in the state of Religious Life (Religious Sisters and Brothers such as Franciscans, Augustinians, Dominicans, etc.). In other words, over 99% of Christians. However, Vatican II was very clear not to center the lay vocation in what we are not, but in what we are, baptized members in Christ. (Galatians 3:27) “From the fact of their union with Christ the head there flows the laity’s right and duty to be apostles. Inserted as they are in the Mystical Body of Christ by baptism and strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit in confirmation, it is by the Lord himself that they are assigned to the apostolate.” (no. 3) Baptism is the foundation of the lay vocation to holiness.

The unique apostolate of the laity is that we live in and influence society in ways that the ordained and religious cannot. “The characteristic of the lay state being a life led in the midst of the world and of secular affairs, the laity are called by God to make of their apostolate, through the vigor of their Christian spirit, a leaven in the world.” (no. 2) The years following Vatican II opened up many new opportunities for ministry in the Church for lay people, such Ministry of the Word (Lector) and of the Eucharist both at Mass and to the sick and homebound, trained professional and volunteer parish lay ministers, increased responsibility for the guidance of the pastoral and administrative ministry of the parish through the Pastoral Council, Finance Council, and other parish councils and commissions, along with many other opportunities to become involved in parish ministries. This has been a great fruit of Vatican II! However, assistance with these various church ministries is only a small fraction of the lay apostolate.

The mission of the Church cannot solely rest in the hands of the less than 1% of Christians who are ordained or living in professed Religious Life.

The primary place that lay people are called to live out their baptism is in the midst of everyday family, work, and societal commitments. We are principally called to witness to the light and love of Christ in the ordinary circumstances in which we find ourselves each day. The mission of the Church cannot solely rest in the hands of the less than 1% of Christians who are ordained or living in professed Religious Life. We are in places and interacting with people that will rarely, if ever, interact with a priest or religious. It is not a matter of wearing a large cross or decorating with statues and other icons of faith either at home or at work (although tasteful clothing, jewelry, or imagery can inspire us and be used at the service of evangelization), but a matter of how the Good News of Jesus is put into practice in our lives and how we build up the Kingdom of God in our world. How do we treat people at home, school, shopping, work, or in our neighborhoods? Are we quick to apologize when we are wrong and to forgive when we are wronged? Do we seek peaceful and just solutions to the problems and tensions in our lives? Do people find our compassion remarkable and attractive? Is the quality of our work an expression of stewardship and gratitude for God’s gifts, bringing them to increase for the benefit of all? The witness of the lives of lay people is the only Gospel that some people will ever read. There should be at least one thing that our friends and acquaintances can point to and say, “She does that because she’s Catholic.” or “He won’t do that because he’s Catholic.”

Lay apostolate has a threefold mission: evangelization, social renewal, and charitable aid.

The Decree on the Apostolate of Lay People speaks of the lay apostolate. Apostolate is not a term that we use very often outside of the context of church. The document defines it this way, “The Church was founded to spread the Kingdom of Christ over all the earth for the glory of God the Father, to make all people partakers in redemption and salvation, and through them to establish the right relationship of the entire world to Christ. Every activity of the Mystical Body with this in view goes by the name of apostolate.” (no. 2) Therefore, rooted in our union with Jesus through Baptism and the other Sacraments (John 15:5), lay apostolate has a threefold mission: evangelization, social renewal, and charitable aid.

We are all called to proclaim the Gospel. Evangelization is not about sharing what you know, but Who you know. In this spirit, we will regularly invite parishioners to witness their relationship with the Lord before the weekend liturgies.

The apostolate of social renewal recognizes that the redemption won for us through Christ’s cross and resurrection is not just about the salvation of individuals, but also about establishing a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:14-21, Revelation 21:1-6) Therefore we are called to resist and disrupt the structures of sin on our society and seek to bring about social justice and renewed solidarity.

Finally, “Charity, which is, as it were, the soul of the whole apostolate” allows the love of God which has been poured into our hearts at Baptism to flow through us to meet the basic needs of all people and to increase the bonds of fraternal love between all. (no. 3, Romans 5:5) As St. Teresa of Kolkata observed, “The poverty of being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.”

This upcoming week, we will continue to reflect on the question “Who are we as a Church?” by reading the Vatican II document The Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests. It’s also known by its Latin title Presbyterorum ordinis. Click here to read this document on the Vatican website.

John