2025, here we go Catholic professionals!
What if we start with a fresh look at what the mission of the laity is both in the Church and in the world? As you know, the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) was a transformative moment in the life of the Church, reshaping its relationship with the modern world and emphasizing the importance of the laity in the mission of the Church. One of the key documents that addresses the role of lay people is Apostolicam Actuositatem, the Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity, which provides profound insights into the authentic character of the lay vocation.
The Lay Vocation: A Shared Mission
At the heart of Apostolicam Actuositatem is the recognition that all baptized Christians, regardless of their state in life, share in the mission of Christ. The document explains that the laity, by their very vocation, seek the Kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and by ordering them according to the plan of God. This message is crucial: the lay vocation is not secondary or auxiliary to the life of the Church but is intrinsic to its mission. The lay faithful are called to sanctify the world from within, engaging in their secular professions, relationships, and societal roles as an expression of their Christian identity.
The Apostolate of the Laity: A Specific Contribution
According to Apostolicam Actuositatem, the lay apostolate is characterized by a specific and irreplaceable contribution. The laity’s primary task is to bring the light of the Gospel into the secular world. They are called to work within their families, workplaces, neighborhoods, and professional spheres, transforming these areas into places where God’s presence is manifested. The document emphasizes that lay people are not mere helpers of the clergy but are co-workers in the mission of the Church.
This apostolate is not restricted to professional ecclesial roles but extends to the broader world. In all these situations, the Council upholds, the lay apostolate is a specific role proper to them. The lay person’s presence in secular society is not just for personal development but also for the sake of transforming culture and society in the light of the Gospel.
The Secular Character of the Lay Vocation
A distinctive feature of the lay vocation is its secular character. Apostolicam Actuositatem highlights that the lay apostolate is exercised precisely within the secular world, not by withdrawing from it but by engaging with it. The lay faithful are called to sanctify the temporal order through their everyday actions, whether as professionals, educators, parents, or citizens. This does not mean that the lay apostolate is secular in the sense of being disconnected from the Church's mission but rather that the lay vocation finds its fulfillment within the world as it is—through the lens of Christian faith.
The Council stresses that lay people must resist the temptation to see their work and daily activities as mere "worldly" endeavors, disconnected from God. Instead, they are invited to make the world a better place, working towards justice, peace, and the common good, all while bearing witness to the Gospel. In this sense, the secular dimension of the lay vocation becomes a path to holiness and mission.
The Call to Holiness and the Lay Vocation
In Lumen Gentium, another document from the Second Vatican Council, the universal call to holiness is affirmed for all Christians, including the laity. The laity, like priests and religious, are called to sanctity, not just through liturgical or religious practices but through their everyday work and commitment to their families and communities. This aspect of the lay vocation is vital for Catholic professionals, as it means that their work is a form of spiritual service and an opportunity to manifest Christian values in the workplace. Whether through acts of integrity, compassion, or justice, lay people fulfill their vocation by becoming instruments of God’s love in the world.
Complementarity Between Laity and Clergy
The collaboration between clergy and laity is another important theme in Apostolicam Actuositatem. The document highlights that the mission of the Church cannot be fully realized without the active participation of the laity. While the clergy, by virtue of their ordination, have a particular responsibility for teaching, sanctifying, and governing, the laity’s role is essential in bringing the Gospel into the world and ensuring that it is lived out in all areas of society.
This complementary relationship is not one of hierarchical subordination but one of mutual cooperation. The laity, with their particular expertise and experiences, bring a unique perspective to the Church’s mission, which the clergy alone cannot fully access. This partnership is not just organizational but deeply theological, as both clergy and laity share in the same apostolic mission of Christ.
A Call to Lead
The authentic character of the lay vocation, as articulated in Apostolicam Actuositatem, calls all lay Catholic, and particularly professionals, to see their work and personal lives as integral parts of the Church’s mission. By engaging in the world as baptized Christians, lay people have the opportunity to bring Christ’s light to every corner of society. This apostolic task is not something external to the lay vocation but is at its very heart, woven into the fabric of their secular lives. In fulfilling their roles as professionals, parents, and citizens, the laity participate fully in the mission of the Church, transforming the world in accordance with God’s plan.
Follow The Catholic Professional’s 4-part series on lay Catholic leadership for civil society (Excerpts from the book Catholic Leadership for Civil Society) and start on a journey to understand the authentic character of the lay vocation. It’s your turn, lead!
Make Disciples of All Nations (CLCS 1 of 4)
"Don't leave, lead" (CLCS 2 of 4)
What is Leadership Anyway? (CLCS 3 of 4)
We Cannot All Be Theologians or Apologists (CLCS 4 of 4)
