The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1951-11-02
What the Laity
Heard i'm Rome

Some noteworthy things were said in Rome
the occasion of the World Congress of the Lay
Apostolate Reports indicate that it must have been
most inspiring to the priests and lay people taking
part Delegates from iron curtain countries contrib
uted much of the inspiration For despite their
rifices despite the loss OF the worldly possessions
despite their exile. they nevertheless not dis
hearened because they still had their priceless treas
ure-thelr Faith
Important definitions OF the lay apostolate and
Catholic Action were given by two princes of the
Church. Cardinal Pzzardo said that the word "apos
tolate" has not been chosen haphazardy. Apostle
means one who is sent Jesus sent by His Father to
save what lost perpetuates His mission of Sav.
Jour of souls by choosing II apostles upon whom He
confers the triple power OF teaching, ssnctifying
and governing II then the laity are called TO
collaborate in the apostolate of the Church, this
means that in allegiance 10 the legitimate authority
their action must tend, like that of the hierarchica
apostolae itself, toward the conquest and re.
conquest of souls"
Cardinal Caggiano told the delegates that es-
sentally lay people belong TO the learning Church"
He said that "all Catholic action TO be worthy of the
name, should be in some way action of the Catholic
Church, that is OF its hierarchy by divine institution
. What can never be called Catholic Action in the
strctest sense is the activity Of Catholics acting
children of the Church. but their own personal
responsibility"
The crowning words of the Congress came when
Pope Plus XII himself addressed the lay representa-.
tives from all parts of the world. The Holy Father
recalled how often he had directed his counsel to
the laity in their important apostoate OF Catholic
Action. He condemned those who would confine the
Church to the sanctuary with no interest in or re-
gard for the social well-being of all men. He re-.
peated the sdmonition that the lay apostolate must
be under the direction OF and in collaboration with
the hierarchy The Sovereign PontiH summed up the
practical aspects of Catholic lay action by noting
what has been and is being done throughout the
world: "The apostolate at the service of Christian
marriage, the family, the child, education and the
school; for young and young women; an apos.
toate OF charity and aid under the numbeTleSs as
poets II today apoStolate OF the better
ment of social disorders and misery an apostolate
in the field of intellectual and cultural life; an
apostolate of games and sports; finally and IL is not
the least. the apostolate of public opinion"
Aside from organized Catholic Action the Holy
Father paid tribute to "the powerful and fireplace.
able value, for the good of souls of this ordinary
performance of the duties of ones state by so many
millions OF conscientious and exemplary faithful"
Apart from the organized groups of the apostolate
he said There be and actually are lay apostles
those men and women who see all the good TO be
done and the possibilities and means of doing IT,
and they do IL with only one desire the winning of
souls to truth and grace" Fundamentally this whole
hearted living up their Faith in the duties of their
state in life by all the aity constitutes the most ef.
fectye apostoate OF good example. II II were uni.
versal among the laity there would be little need for
organized Catholic Action.