CCC 896 - Catechism #27 - The Lay Faithful

Summary

The role of the laity in the Church is to actively engage in temporal affairs, bringing Christ's presence into every aspect of life, from social and political to economic. Laypeople, united with the Pope and bishops, are not just members of the Church, but essential participants in its mission. They contribute through prayers, work, and evangelization, and share in the Church’s priestly, prophetic, and governing offices. By living holy lives and guiding others in faith, they help sanctify the world and ensure that all human activity aligns with God's will.

Takeaways

• 🙏 The laity includes all members of the Church who are not in holy orders or religious life, and their unique vocation is to seek the Kingdom of God through their engagement in worldly affairs.
• 🌍 Laypeople are called to bring Christ’s presence into every part of human life—social, political, and economic—transforming the world according to Christian values.
• 💒 The laity are not merely members of the Church but are truly part of the Church itself, united with the Pope and bishops in its mission and life.
• 🗣️ Lay Christians have both the right and duty to spread the message of salvation so that all people may know and accept the Gospel.
• 🕊️ The laity participate in the priestly office of the Church by offering their daily work, prayers, family life, and even sufferings as spiritual sacrifices to God.
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Parents share especially in the sanctifying role of the Church by living their marriage in a Christian spirit and raising their children in the faith.
• ⛪ Lay participation in liturgical ministries is also a form of sharing in the priestly office, especially when necessity requires their service.
• 📖 The laity take part in the prophetic office by evangelizing—teaching, sharing the Gospel, engaging in media, and bearing witness to their faith in everyday life.
• 👑 Participation in the kingly office means governing oneself in holiness, promoting justice, and cooperating with Church leaders in pastoral and administrative duties.
• 🕯️ Every temporal and human activity should be guided by a Christian conscience, since no aspect of life lies outside God’s dominion.
• 🤝 The mission of the laity is to be active apostles in the world, serving as living instruments of Christ’s power and the Church’s ongoing mission.

Q & A

Who are considered the laity in the Church according to the lesson?

The laity refers to every member of the Church who is not in holy orders or religious life. They are ordinary faithful members who live and work in the world.

What is the primary vocation of the laity in the Church?

The vocation of the laity is to seek the Kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and directing them according to God's will, bringing Christ’s presence into all aspects of human life.

How are laypeople called to influence the world around them?

Laypeople are called to illuminate and order all temporal realities—social, political, economic—with Christian values and to permeate these spheres with the life and doctrine of Christ.

According to Pope Pius XII, how should the laity understand their role in the Church?

Pope Pius XII emphasized that the laity are not merely members of the Church but are the Church itself, actively participating in its mission under the leadership of the Pope and bishops.

In what ways do the laity share in the priestly office of the Church?

The laity share in the priestly office through their daily lives—work, family, prayer, and even suffering—offering these as spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God, particularly through participation in the Eucharist.

How do parents participate in the Church’s sanctifying (priestly) role?

Parents participate by living a Christian family life and ensuring the Christian education of their children, thus sanctifying their homes and family life.

What does it mean for the laity to share in the prophetic office of the Church?

Sharing in the prophetic office means proclaiming the Good News, evangelizing others through word and example, and helping to lead others to faith. This can include teaching catechism, studying theology, or engaging in media.

What is the 'new evangelization' mentioned in the script, and how does it relate to the laity?

The 'new evangelization' refers to renewed efforts by the Church to spread the Gospel in modern times, particularly in societies that have grown indifferent to faith. The laity play a key role in this mission by witnessing to Christ in everyday life.

How can the laity participate in the Church’s governing (kingly) office?

The laity participate in the governing office by leading holy lives, practicing self-discipline, working for justice, and collaborating with pastors in Church councils such as parish or diocesan finance and pastoral councils.

What guiding principle should direct the laity in all temporal matters?

In all temporal affairs, the laity should be guided by a Christian conscience, recognizing that no human activity can be separated from God’s dominion.

What is the overall mission of the laity within the Church and the world?

The overall mission of the laity is to serve as witnesses and instruments of Christ’s presence in the world, transforming society through faith, justice, and holiness in their everyday lives.