By Br. John Eudes, M.I.C.M., Tert.

Theme: Looking Toward a Catholic America

Title: The Vocation of a Lay Apostle

The speaker explains that a “lay apostle” is any layperson who consciously lives the mission given by Christ: to love God above all and to seek both their own and their neighbor’s salvation. He insists that all Christians are called to this apostolate, not merely to argument and controversy, but to winning souls through charity, prayer, sacrifice, and good example. Drawing on Scripture and the lives of saints, he shows that saving souls is a work greater than fasting, miracles, or even contemplation, and that it necessarily brings crosses which must be loved and embraced. He stresses that today’s crisis in the Church and the secularization of society make the lay apostolate more necessary than ever, especially through sound doctrine, frequent use of the sacraments, humility, and confidence in God’s grace. He concludes by urging listeners to become true disciples first, to work zealously but gently for conversions in their own state in life, to unite with others (such as the Third Order) in this crusade, and to rely on Our Lady, Queen of Apostles, as their model and help.

(From 2001 SBC Conference)