I: What Is Catholic Action? Understanding the Terms

Over the past few months I have been doing a series on the Pontificate of Leo XIV and if you have watched more than 5 minutes of the series, you have probably heard me use the phrase “Catholic Action.” Alternatively, you have probably heard me use the phrase “Lay Apostolate.” This idea of Catholic Action or the Lay Apostolate is probably one of the most important if not the most important emphases of the Popes in the last century or two. Pope after Pope has encouraged laymen to engage in Catholic Action. In fact, this culminated in Vatican II’s Decree on the Lay Apostolate, which provided the theory and practice of the Church’s tradition on this subject. In this [article], I wanted to present this in a systematic manner, so you can come to understand what the Church demands of us in the field of Catholic Action. Here’s what we’re going to cover: First, we’ll define what Catholic Action actually is and why it’s necessary in our modern world. Second, we’ll explore the specific ends and goals the Church has set for Catholic Action. Third, we’ll examine how Catholic Action is organized and structured. Finally, we’ll look at the practical relationships between Catholic Action and the hierarchy, clergy, and even politics. By the end of this [article], you’ll understand why every Pope for the last 150 years has been calling Catholics to this work.

Part 1: What Is Catholic Action? Understanding the Terms

In order to understand Catholic Action, we first need to understand the meaning of the term itself, which is commonly used alongside the term “Lay Apostolate.” In the broadest sense, “Catholic Action” refers to activity that promotes Catholicism. Further, we could also apply the same term to those structures or institutions through which this action occurs. In the fullest sense, both of these aspects of activity and institutions through which activity is engaged in is combined into a single whole. Thus, Pius XI wrote

Catholic Action is a true apostolate, in which Catholics of every social class participate, and come thus to group themselves, in thought and work, around centers of sound doctrine and manifold social activity, legitimately constituted, and assisted and sustained accordingly by the authority of the bishops. (Quae Nobis)

Yet, Catholic Action can have a broader and a narrower sense. In the broad sense, the apostolate of Catholic Action refers to any organized activity that promotes Catholicism through proper structures or institutions. Yet, in a narrow sense, Catholic Action can refer specifically to activity that promotes Catholicism through structures or institutions that are formed by the hierarchy of the Church itself. This distinction matters because both forms are perpetually valid. In previous ages, Catholic Action in the narrower sense was more prevalent – bishops would directly establish organizations. Yet today, Catholic Action is often merely in the broader sense, begun at the initiative of laymen rather than of Bishops. The Church calls these lay-initiated associations “auxiliaries” of Catholic Action. Pius XI clarified this distinction when he wrote:

Besides this great institution, that might well be called official Catholic Action, you have among you other associations…associations that we once called strong auxiliaries of Catholic Action… (February 4, 1931)

Yet, we can get an even more narrow definition of Catholic Action. If we want to reach a precise and scientific definition of Catholic Action, the definition of Pius XI has become classic: “the participation of the laity in the apostolate of the Church’s Hierarchy.” He expands upon this definition, defining Catholic Action as:

the participation of the Catholic Laity in the Hierarchic Apostolate, for the defense of religious and moral principles, for the development of a wholesome…social action, under the guidance of the ecclesiastical hierarchy, outside and above political parties, with the intention of restoring Catholic life in the family and in society (July 30, 1928)

Let me break this definition down into its constituent parts for a clearer understanding: First, it is an Apostolate – carrying out the mission of redemption given to the Apostles. This mission doesn’t merely concern individual salvation, but the restoration of all things in Christ, including domestic life, political life, economic life, everything. Second, it is uniquely something done by laymen – not clergy, not religious, but ordinary Catholics in the world. Third, it is auxiliary to the Hierarchy – laymen carry out their proper Apostolate in collaboration with and subordinate to the Bishops. Fourth, it is organized – not random individual acts, but coordinated activity towards a common goal. Lastly, it is for the triumph of the kingdom of Christ – the final goal is to further the reign of Christ in every dimension of society, from the individual all the way up to the nation.