Serving the Church as an lay person

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forthefaith77

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What are the Catholic options for a young man who feels called by God to serve the Church as an lay person. I have prayed about it and think I should choose the married life. Yet I am called and have to abilty to serve God on a higher level. What should I do?

Thank You,

for the faith 77
 
Most of the major religious orders have organisations for lay people attached to them - Lay Carmelites, Dominican Tertiaries, Benedictine Oblates, Secular (Third Order) Franciscans and so on.

This is one way you can live out the spirituality and life of service of a religious while still being out in the world, marrying, pursuing whatever career you choose, etc etc.
 
after discerning your primary vocation, marriage, and then discerning your career path or profession, you can also work in that profession in service to the Church. You can serve Either as an employee of a diocese, parish, school, hospital, social service agency or other Church institution, or as a volunteer. For instance the Church relies on lay businessmen with both expertise in finances, development, risk management, investments etc. and Catholic values to help care for the temporal property of the Church. Administration is one of the charismatic gifts so those endowed with such gifts should use them to serve the Church. Same with teaching and the other service gifts.

The most important task of the laity of course is building up families, the domestic church.
 
Join the Legion of Mary.

The Legion of Mary is the largest apostolic organization of lay people in the Catholic Church, with well over 3 million active members in almost every country of the world. It has been active in the United States since 1931 and was endorsed by the Second Vatican Council. The main purpose of the Legion of Mary is to give glory to God through the sanctification of its members.

Active members of the Legion of Mary become instruments of the Holy Spirit through a balanced program of prayer and service. Legion members meet once a week for prayer, planning and discussion in a family setting. Then they do two hours of work each week in pairs and under the guidance of their spiritual director. Some works include door-to-door evangelization, parishioner visitation, prison ministry, teaching CCD, and meeting the other spiritual needs of the parish community. Legionaries are under the guidance of a spiritual director named by the pastor. The Legion of Mary is, in essence, an extension of the heart and hands of the pastor.
 
Or Opus Dei? Investigate them for the Sanctification of Daily Life
God Bless.
 
chrysostom15 said:
the Legion of Mary
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The Legion of Mary does good work, but I couldn’t get involved in it- I don’t know about other places, but around here the membership is almost entirely made up of women who are 60+.

There are lay missionary organizations (FOCUS- Fellowship of Catholic University Students comes to mind- but I am sure there are other similar organizations- if not, we need them). There are also lay movements in the church (Communion and Liberation, for example). You can be involved in your parish- be an usher or join the choir (if you can sing) or volunteer to be a catechist.
 
There is a great podcast HERE about Vatican II and the Laity - it might give you some other ideas! 😃

~Liza
 
forthefaith77 said:
What are the Catholic options for a young man who feels called by God to serve the Church as an lay person. I have prayed about it and think I should choose the married life. Yet I am called and have to abilty to serve God on a higher level. What should I do?

Thank You,

for the faith 77
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You might want to consider studying to become a Deacon, in this way you would have the best of both worlds.

Phyllis
 
phyllis said:
You might want to consider studying to become a Deacon, in this way you would have the best of both worlds.

Phyllis
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I would say there is no better world than to follow God’s call in what ever your vocation may be. The comment above gives the impression that a priest is some how missing out on something by not being married and this couldn’t be farther from the truth.
 
phyllis said:
You might want to consider studying to become a Deacon, in this way you would have the best of both worlds.

Phyllis
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What are the requirements for being a Deacon? ESPECIALLY, what age limits? I am age 62
:o
 
Andruschak said:
What are the requirements for being a Deacon? ESPECIALLY, what age limits? I am age 62
:o
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It depends upon the diocese and the bishop. Age 62 shouldn’t necessarily be a problem (though perhaps some dioceses would rather not take an older man). In fact, in Philadelphia, retired Archbishop Bevilaqua used to not accept any man whose children were not already grown adults.
 
Many parishes have many men’s groups…like Knights of Columbus, Knights of Malta etc…along with Holy Name Society’s or men’s retreat groups…or social justice groups like Habitat for Humanity, or pro-life groups. or ST. Vincent dePaul societies who help the poor. Or volunteer as an usher, lector, Extraordinary Eucharistic minister, choir member, CCD teacher.

If you are a young man get involved with your diocese, Young Adult ministry or start one at your home parish if one does not already exist. You could also become a mentor for children, a tutor, a coach…each way is a ministry unto itself.

With all things pray, pray, and pray.
 
There are so many ways one can serve Christ and His Church. I’m a first degree Knights of Columbus member; I help out with the Youth Group, My wife and I help out with RCIA and Generations of Faith; We also have a Podcast geared towards young adults or those in that weird 20 something group where you don’t quite feel like an adult, but yet your more mature then the kids in the youth group ;). “Not being fed” should never be an excuse to leave the faith in this day and age, because there are just so many ways to feed others within the church.

God Bless,

Josh from Ohio

Check out my wife and I’s podcast: The Perseverance Podcast
Vote for us on PodcastAlley.com
 
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