MY DUTY AS A LAY FAITHFUL
The LAY FAITHFUL, also known as the LAITY, play a vital role in the Catholic Church.
SPIRITUAL ROLES
1. Prayer and Worship: Participate in Mass, receive sacraments, and engage in personal prayer.
2. Evangelization: Share faith with others, spreading the Gospel message.
3. Spiritual Growth: Pursue holiness through spiritual formation, retreats, and devotions.
MINISTERIAL ROLES
1. Liturgical Ministries: Serve as readers, cantors, commentators, altar servers, and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion.
2. Catechesis: Teach faith formation classes, RCIA, and youth programs.
3. Pastoral Care: Visit the sick, comfort the grieving, and support those in need.
SERVICE ROLES
1. Social Justice: Advocate for the poor, marginalized, and vulnerable.
2. Community Service: Engage in charitable works, volunteerism, and outreach programs.
3. Parish Life: Participate in parish councils, committees, and events.
APOSTOLIC ROLES
1. Missionary Work: Support and participate in missionary efforts globally.
2. Ecumenism: Foster unity with other Christian denominations and faiths.
3. Temporal Affairs: Manage parish finances, facilities, and administrative tasks.
VOCATIONAL ROLES
1. Marriage and Family: Live out Christian values in family life.
2. Single Life: Witness to the value of celibacy and dedicated service.
3. Professional Life: Integrate faith with work, promoting ethics and integrity.
PROPHETIC ROLES
1. Witness: Share personal faith experiences, inspiring others.
2. Advocacy: Speak out against injustice, promoting Gospel values.
3. Renewal: Encourage spiritual renewal within the Church.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 898-913) emphasizes the lay faithful’s responsibility to:
– Participate in the Church’s mission
– Spread the Gospel
– Support the clergy
– Build up the Church community
– Engage in temporal affairs
By fulfilling these roles, the lay faithful contribute to the Church’s mission and help build the Kingdom of God.
CANONICAL REFERENCES
Here’s the explanation of the role of the lay faithful, referencing the Canon Law of the Catholic Church:
Spiritual Roles
– Canon 835: The lay faithful are called to holiness and to participate in the Church’s spiritual mission.
– Canon 837: They are obliged to participate in the Eucharist and other sacraments.
– Canon 838: They have the right to receive spiritual guidance and pastoral care.
Ministerial Roles
– Canon 228 §1: The lay faithful can exercise certain liturgical ministries, such as readers, cantors, and commentators.
– Canon 229: They can also serve as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion.
– Canon 774 §1: The lay faithful have a role in catechesis and faith formation.
Service Roles
– Canon 215: The lay faithful have the right and duty to participate in the apostolate of the Church.
– Canon 222 §1: They are obliged to support the poor and vulnerable.
– Canon 223: They have the right to associate with others to promote charitable works.
Apostolic Roles
– Canon 781: The lay faithful have a role in missionary work.
– Canon 782: They are called to promote ecumenism and unity.
– Canon 783: They have a responsibility to support the Church’s temporal affairs.
Vocational Roles
– Canon 226: The lay faithful have a vocation to married life, single life, or consecrated life.
– Canon 227: They are called to integrate faith with work and professional life.
Prophetic Roles
– Canon 211: The lay faithful have the right and duty to spread the Gospel.
– Canon 212 §2: They have the right to make known their needs and concerns to their pastors.
– Canon 213: They have the right to receive authentic doctrine.
Key Canons
– Canon 208: Definition of the lay faithful
– Canon 209: Rights and duties of the lay faithful
– Canon 224: Collaboration with clergy
– Canon 225: Formation and education
Reference Materials
– Code of Canon Law (1983)
– Apostolic Exhortation “Christifideles Laici” (1988) by Pope John Paul II
Note: The Canon Law citations are from the 1983 Code of Canon Law, which is the current governing law of the Catholic Church.
The entrance of God’s Word enforces Light and Understanding to the Simple. “Psalm.119:130.”
© 2024. St. Joseph Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria, Agbor.
