Catholic Evangelization

Almost thirty years ago, this significant word entered our Catholic vocabulary: Today, evangelization is a word frequently used but not always understood. In our Catholic Tradition, evangelization is neither a new word nor a new idea but something which the Second Vatican Council, the recent documents of the Popes, and our US Bishops have re-appropriated from our Catholic Tradition.

Evangelization is everyone's mission. By virtue of our Baptism, we are all called to share our faith.

Evangelization is not a program, but a way of life. It takes place any time, any place, under any circumstance.

Evangelization reaches out to everyone, including active and inactive Catholics and those with no faith community.

Evangelization first begins when you accept God's Word into your life. Then you proclaim that Word to others by living it out in service and witness. Whenever possible you share your story of Jesus in your life, and then invite others to deepen their relationship with Christ through the Church community (Pope Paul VI, Evangelization in the Modern World. This is most effectively done through everyday evangelizing.

Evangelization is a life long process for everyone on a journey

The general directory for Catechesis reminds us that evangelization is not just for the un-churched. Communities that are zealously witnessing their faith need to be evangelized and catechized so that they are comfortable evangelizing others (GDC #58)

Catholic Evangelization is sharing the Gospel, (Good News) and because it calls us, even to be uncomfortable, to live the faith of our baptism more openly and to share it more freely.

Catholic evangelization is deeply rooted in Scripture, in the very person of Jesus Christ, and mandated anew by the Second Vatican Council. Jesus Christ is the Good News for us. At His Ascension to the Father, Jesus commanded his disciples to carry out His message when He said: All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20) This passage is known in tradition as the Great Commission.