Apostolate

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An apostolate is a Christian activity or organization "directed to serving and evangelizing the world", most often associated with the Anglican Communion or the Catholic Church. In more general usage, an apostolate is an association of persons dedicated to the propagation of a religion or a doctrine. The word apostolate comes from the Greek word ἀποστέλλω (apostellō), which means to "send forth", to "commission", or "to dispatch". The Christian origin of the word comes from the twelve apostles who were selected by Christ; they had a "special vocation, a formal appointment of the Lord to a determined office, with connected authority and duties". An "apostolate" can refer to a Christian organization made up of lay people or of a specific Christian religious order. Within Anglican theology and Catholic theology, "ministry" pertains to the administration of a sacrament, or the celebration of liturgy and all that pertains to the liturgical functioning of the Church; as such it is specific to those with Holy Orders. Lay people have a different role, namely, to spread the truth of Christianity in the world through whatever means they can: this work is properly called "an apostolate". In the Catholic church, the Second Vatican Council's Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity (Apostolicam Actuositatem) states that a Christian believer's vocation is "by its very nature ... also a vocation to the apostolate". The lay apostolate is made up of lay people, who are neither consecrated religious nor in Holy Orders, who exercise a ministry within the Catholic Church. Lay apostolate organizations operate under the general oversight of pastors and bishops, but need not be dependent upon them for direction. Lay people can exercise a fruitful apostolate by their conduct in the areas of their work, profession, studies, neighborhood, and social life, and according to the Second...