INTRODUCTION

THE COMMUNITY OF DISCIPLES: WORKERS OF RENEWAL

The call to discipleship is a vocation to commission and mission.

1. Vocation – a calling to a particular career or occupation, especially to a religious life; a sense of fitness for a particular
career.
2. Commission – authority of act; a body of people appointed for a specified duty.
3. Mission – a group of people sent by a church to carry out a special duty or task.

Discipleship therefore is a special calling of group of people either possessing a particular career or occupation in the
religious life or secular life. These people are called to union of love with God and with one another. In order words, all,
without exception, are called to holiness, the perfection of charity, though all not do pursue the same path to holiness.
In other words, all, without exception, are called to evangelize.
CHAPTER ONE
A. T H E L A Y F A I T H F U L

1. The Laity – The term Laity comes from the Greek word: “Laikos”. They are the faithful except those in the Holy Orders
and those who belong to a religious state approved by the Church. That is, the faithful who by Baptism are incorporated
into Christ are placed in the People of God, and in their own, share the PRIESTLY, PROPHETIC and KINGLY office of
Christ, and to the best of their ability carry on the mission of the whole Christian people in the Church and in the world.
The laity has received a real consecration - their baptismal consecration. They are as much member of the Church as the
hierarchy or as those belonging to institutes of consecrated life. The lay faithful are not second class members. They
share with all the baptized an equal Christian Dignity.

2. Lay Vocation – the laity fully belong in the church and its mysteries. They “Seek the Kingdom of God by engaging in
temporal affairs and ordering them according to the plan of God.” As Christ’ disciples, they are immersed in the world
and becomes the place and the means to fulfill their Christian vocation. It is in the world that they are to grow in
holiness. It is there especially - in the family, work and recreation, in the vast fields of economics, politics and culture,
that they are to evangelized others.

3. The Identity and Condition of the Laity in the Church and in the World

1. Family – Article 48 of the Acts and Decrees of the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines or PCP – II states that the
family is to be regarded as the basic unit of Christian life. Hence it must be viewed as both subject and object of
evangelization; for evangelization begins in the family and family catechesis must be part of the fostering of Basic
Ecclesial Communities or BEC’s.

2. Youth – Article 50, No. 2 of PCP – II states that the youth constitutes a large and dynamic portion of the laity, the
youth ministry, parish youth programs, out-of-school-youth programs, should be given fullest attention and highest
priority in every way in the Church.

3. Women – Article 53 - 54, No. 1 of PCP – II states that leadership training for women is to be promoted with emphasis
on their dignity and role in the Church. Church’s institutions in collaboration with other institutions must oppose,
through programs geared to authentic liberation, all forms of discrimination, abuse and exploitation of women.

4. Catechist – Article 55, No. 1 of PCP – II states that the catechist are those who volunteered to be trained and formed
professionally to assist in the programs of the Church. Though they serve without compensation, still they received
financial support from parishioners.

5. Migrant Workers – Article 56, No. 1 of PCP – II states that the migrant workers are those employed overseas. The
Church must protect them and prepare them for their missionary role of witnessing to the Gospel in their employment
overseas.

6. Lay Evangelizers – Article 57 of PCP – II states that married lay evangelizers are invited to participate, to be trained
and formed based from their expertise and occupation.

7. Tribal Communities – PCP – II identify them as those people who kept their freedom intact and never came wholly
under colonial rule and yet losing their freedom to the Filipino majority.

8. Children – PCP – II identify them as those suffering from armed conflicts, are working and are exploited, the unborn
who never see the light of life and never experience the love of their selfish parents.

9. Peasants – PCP – II identify them as those who live in the countryside – the rural poor, the tenants, the farmers.
10. Fisherfolk – PCP – II identify them as those who depend on fishing as their main source of livelihood, but
living in poverty because the fisherfolk sector remains one of the poorest in the country.

11. The Disabled – PCP – II identify them as the blind and the lame people and other disabled persons begging along
the streets. They are the powerless, the voiceless, the dependent and insecure.

12. The Urban Poor – PCP – II identify them as the slum-dwellers. Those living at the edge of creeks and canals
of the city. Those who live in shanties along railroad tracks. Those who live under bridges, cemeteries, push-carts, etc.

B. THE FOUNDATION OF THE LAY APOSTLE

1. THE APOSTOLATE OF THE LAITY IS OF DIVINE RIGHT, i.e., from the fact of their union with Christ the head, flows the
lay men’s right and duty to be apostles. Inserted as they are in the Mystical Body of Christ by baptism and strengthened
by the power of the Holy Spirit in confirmation, it is by the Lord himself that they are assign to the apostolate.

2. IT IS CHRIST WHO CALLS THE LAITY TO FULL PARTICIPATION, FULL COMMITMENT IN THE MISSION AND LIFE OF THE
CHURCH. “You too go into my vineyard.” This is call is addressed to the entire community to move with zeal and
swiftness in bringing about the reign of God through Christian renewal. Therefore all the baptized, not just the
hierarchy, the clergy or the religious, share in the whole mission of Christ. All are responsible for the building up of the
Church. This responsibility is too great and too important to be entrusted to only one group or to only a few.

3. THE CALL IS BY VIRTUE OF BAPTISM AND CONFIRMATION. “The newness of the Christian life is the foundation and
title of the equality of all the baptized in Christ, of all the members of the People of God,” and precisely from this
equality in dignity flowing from Baptism, “each member of the lay faithful, together with ordained priest visibility for the
Church’s mission.”

C. THE PRIESTHOOD OF THE FAITHFUL \

Vatican Council – II has developed a strong and frequent formulation of the doctrine of the priesthood of all the faithful.
All the faithful by virtue of Baptism and Confirmation participate in the priesthood of Christ.

ELEMENTS OF THE PRIESTHOOD OF THE FAITHFUL

1. CONSECRATION - All Christians are consecrated in everything they do.

2. MEDIATION, TRANSFORMATION AND SALVATION OF THE WORLD - The grace of Baptism is completed by the gifts of
the Holy Spirit received at Confirmation, enabling the Christian to be a real subject of transformation.
3. SACRIFICE OF LIFE TOGETHER WITH CHRIST CELEBRATED IN THE EUCHARIST - The Paschal Mystery casts its shadow
on Christian life and transforms the cross of suffering into a meaningful source of hope.

All the works of the laity, when done in the Lord, whether secular or religious, whether they concern marriage and the
family, work and recreation, pastoral activities, social and charitable involvements, or the animation or governance of
associations, movements and communities, can be seen as exercise of the laity’s sharing in the priesthood of the
faithful.

When the lay faithful discover and live more and more their vocation and mission in the church and in the world, the
ordained (i.e. the Deacons, Priests, Bishops, Cardinals, Pope) will likewise discover the meaning of their own vocation
and mission. Such a discovery on the part of both the clergy and the laity who were called not to compete but to
complement each other will result in deeper realization of the ministry and spiritual of all the baptized .

OBLIGATION OF PASTORS TO THE LAITY

1. Moral formation
2. Religious inspiration
3. Spiritual nourishment

The laity go forth to renew the temporal order by engaging in secular activities with the spirit of Christ and the values of
the Gospel. Thus, it can be said that pastor and lay faithful share in the one Priesthood of Christ each according to the
identity and role they have received from God for the Church and society.

D. FOUR ASPECT OF THE LAITY’S ROLE AND LIFE

1. CALLED TO A COMMUNITY OF FAMILIES

The family is the Church in the home, meaning, it is the primary community of Christ’s disciples whose members are
bound together not only by ties of flesh and blood but by the grace and obedience to the Father’s will. Thus family life in
the Lord is of greatest role in renewing Christian life and in forming communities of the Lord’s disciples. The family is
where the journey in faith-life is initiated and guided towards maturity.

Pope John Paul – II

A. “It is through the family that the history of salvation of the Church is wrought.”
B. “the future of evangelization rests in great part on this Church (i.e. the family) in the home.”

In the family, the spirituality of the Christian is nurtured and rooted in the Word of God and finds its Filipino expression.
The Church in its entirety should therefore become a family of families.

2. CALLED TO CHRISTIAN PRESENCE

A. Being a Church in the world
B. A sacrament in the world,
C. A sacramental presence of Christ in an ever-changing world.
D. The lay faithful are instruments of the Incarnate Christ in the world.
E. The lay faithful act as the heart of the Church in the heart of the world.
F. Responding to God’s call to live prophetically as Christ lived, and to witness as he did.
G. To manifest and communicate Christ’ love, service, salvation.

In their joys and struggles, the laity provides the world with a variety of ways of living and sharing the faith. Their
insights and experiences, their social and political choices, if in accord with the Gospel, shape our society and our world.
The lay faithful make alive and attractive the Christian presence that is needed to influence, inspire and direct the world
according to God’s plan.

3. CALLED TO SERVICE AND EVANGELIZATION

A. Service
Each Christian receives a charism of the Spirit for the common good. This variety of God’s grace enriches the Church
with a wonderful diversity. But while “there is diversity of ministry, there is unity of mission.

A.1. Diversity of Ministry

1. Minister of the Word
2. Eucharistic Minister
3. Acolyte/Altar Server
4. Choir Member
5. Commentator
6. Member of the WEST (Worship, Education, Social Apostolate, Temporalities)

A.2. Unity of Mission - The laity serve the People of God, the Institutional Church, the Kingdom of God.
- They share and proclaim the Sacred Scriptures.

The laity must exercise their charisms. They must fulfill their baptismal responsibilities. The lay apostolate is realized
often in the service of the world and of the Eucharist. Where lay involvement is lacking, “the apostolate of the pastors
will frequently be unable to obtain it’s fulfill effect.” Where lay responsibility is absent the Church is incomplete.

B. Evangelization
1. The Laity have the vocation and mission to proclaim the Gospel, being the entire mission of the Church.
2. The Lay faithful do not limit their apostolate and mission to a general witnessing through a good life nor to
volunteer work in some liturgical or sacramental activities of the church.
3. The Lay faithful becoming catechists and personnel in church offices, church hospitals, and Catholic schools.

B.1. THE LAITY’S FIELD OF EVANGELIZING ACTIVITY

1. Education 5. Culture
2. Politics 6. Sciences and Arts
3. Society 7. International Life
4. Economics 8. Mass Media
4. CALLED TO SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION
1. The lay faithful are called to heal and transform society, to prepare the temporal order for the final establishment of
the Kingdom of God.
2. The laity must read the “signs of the times” in the light of the Gospel and the Magisterium (Authority) of the Church.
3. The lay faithful are called to reconcile and heal.
4. The laity must promote integral liberation both in the temporal and spiritual dimensions.

E. THE LAY SPIRITUALITY

1. In being able to see the will of God operating in one’s secular duties
2. In being able to see the will of God operating in the ordinary things that a person do, and done.
3. Is deeply rooted in the secular, in the “Father’s business” in the fields, in the factories, in schools, in offices and
homes.
4. It is to lead to an unselfish, other-centered and Christ-centered life in the world and in the Church.

F. ELEMENTS OF LAY SPIRITUALITY

1. A genuine love for and personal commitment to Jesus Christ; for the Church.
2. Fidelity to her teachings and respect for their pastors.
3. Dedication to their families and apostolate of the family; love for neighbor, especially the poor and those in need.
4. Faith that does justice with involvement in the socio-politico-economic problems of the society where they live;
regular reception, especially in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

G. THE LOCALE OF SECULAR LAY SPIRITUALITY

1. Schools – Colleges and Universities 6

2. Hospitals – Public and Private
3. Corporation – Offices
4. Government – Departments and Agencies
5. Religious Institutes – Third Orders
6. Local Churches – Parish Pastoral Councils
- Catechist, Formators, Retreat
- Diocesan Pastoral Council Directors
CHAPTER TWO
T H E P E O P L E O F G O D

A. THE ROLE OF THE PRIESTLY PEOPLE

- All the baptized share in the priestly dignity of Christ.

- We are a kingdom of priest. We must present ourselves as sacrifice, living, holy and pleasing to God.

To be worthy of the Priestly People:

1. Reception of the sacraments, prayer and thanksgiving.
2. Witness’ a holy life, abnegation and active charity.
3. Participate in the offering of the Eucharist.

B. THE ROLE OF THE PROPHETIC PEOPLE

The People of God receives the Word of the Living God.

To be worthy of the Prophetic People:
1. Share the Word of God with one another and to those who have not yet heard or accepted it.

C. THE ROLE OF THE KINGLY PEOPLE

The People of God has received from Christ the power to overcome the reign of sin.
To be worthy of the Kingly People:
1. Serving Christ in others can bring our brothers and sisters to the Lord Jesus.
2. Praising God’s creation and make the world a place worthy of the children of God.
3. Improve the world and permeates it with the values of Christ.

D. OBLIGATIONS AND RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD

A. OBLIGATIONS
1. To preserve their communion with the Church at all times.
2. To carry out with diligence the responsibilities towards both the universal and particular Church to which by law they
belong.
3. To lead a holy life and to promote the growth of the Church and its continual sanctification.
4. To proclaim the message of salvation that it may reach all people of all times and all places.
5. To show Christian obedience to Church authorities and her Magisterium/Teachings.

B. RIGHTS
1. To be at liberty to make known their needs to the Church and its authorities.
2. To manifest their views on matters which concern the good of the Church with integrity, competence, position, and
morals.
3. To be assisted by pastors from the spiritual riches of the Church, especially the Word of God and the Sacraments.
4. To worship God in accordance with their rite approved by the Magisterium.
5. To follow a personal form of spiritual life in accordance with Church teachings.
6. Freely establish and direct associations which serve charitable or pious purposes or which foster the Christian
vocation in the world.
7. To promote apostolic actions.
8. To a Christian education.

E. INHERENT OBLIGATION OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD

1. RESPONDING TO THE FAITH
- The positive response to Faith is by genuine conversion.
- Faith is a personal acceptance of the person of Christ as Lord and Savior.

a. Informed and Communitarian Faith – It includes believing in Jesus words and teachings and trusting that he has the
words of eternal life. The believer lives in Jesus and Jesus in him. It includes even recognizing to reach out with love our
enemies.

b. Missionary and Maturing Faith – It impels the person to mission and to evangelize. It needs to grow, it is dynamic, it
cannot remain static.

c. Loving Faith – It is faith that becomes mature and life-giving through love.

d. Inculturated Faith – It is faith that is interiorized in the Church teachings and practices that is personally appreciated
and appropriated by the laity with their own particular cultures and values.

2. LIVING THE FAITH

a. Praying and Worshipping – The faith of the laity grows through prayer and worship. This worship is expressed in
explicit acts: Personal Prayer, Attending the Mass, Participating in Bible Prayer Groups, Charismatic Groups, Block
Rosaries.

b. Witnessing – Witnessing is proclaiming the Lord. The faith of the laity is bearing witness to the Lord through his life
by obeying His commands and living the Gospel.

c. Loving Service – The faith of the laity must be exercised in service, to care for the needy and to care for the earth.

3. SHARING IN THE PASCHAL MYSTERY

The lay faithful cannot be indifferent to:
a. suffering
b. poverty
c. injustice
d. division/discrimination

Suffering can be overcome with patience and sacrifice. Jesus’ dying, destroyed our death, Jesus’ rising, restored our
lives: This is the Paschal Mystery by which Jesus brought us into his Passover from suffering to glory, from death to life,
from our human sinfulness to his grace.