Catholic Evangelization

What is Evangelization?

A Definition of Evangelization

For the Church, evangelizing means bringing the Good News into all the strata of humanity, and through its influence transforming humanity from within and making it new: "Now I am making the whole of creation new." (Revelation 21:5)

The Church evangelizes when she seeks to convert, solely through the divine power of the message she proclaims, both the personal and collective consciences of people, the activities in which they engage, and the lives and concrete milieu which are theirs. Read more about the Definition of Evangelization.

A Process of Evangelization

• Witness: above all, the Gospel must be proclaimed by witness
• Proclaim: there is no true evangelization if the name, the teaching, the life, the promises, the kingdom and the mystery of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God are not proclaimed
• Adhere: proclamation reaches full development when it is listened to, accepted and assimilated
• Send: finally, the person who has been evangelized goes on to evangelize others
   

Read more about the Process of Evangelization.

Why Evangelize?

• Motivated by love: this is truly Good News! We would want others to know this… to know Him
• Every person has the right to hear the ‘Good News’ of the God who reveals and gives Himself in Christ, so that each one can live out, in its fullness, his or her proper calling
• Jesus Christ was sent by the Father to proclaim the Gospel, calling all people to conversion and faith
• After His resurrection, He entrusted the continuation of His mission of evangelization to the Apostles
• To lead a person’s intelligence and freedom in honesty to the encounter with Christ and his Gospel is not an inappropriate encroachment, but rather a legitimate endeavour and a service capable of making human relationships more fruitful
• The church does not impose, she always proposes the lover to the beloved

How can I Evangelize?

Love God with all your being, draw close to Jesus Christ

• Pray: for specific people, for ourselves to know what to say and how to live, for the Holy Spirit
• Read the Holy Scriptures
• Receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist
• Spend time in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
• Learn more and more about what Christ teaches us through His Body, the Church

Love your neighbour, be who God made you to be with the gifts you have & the opportunity before you

• Do the task in front of you well and with great love
• Be a son, daughter, brother, sister, mother, father
• Be a neighbour – converse, say 'hello', help them, lend them what they require, cut their lawn…
• Be a citizen – vote, read about local events and participate
• Be a parishioner – participate fully in Mass, invite your priests to dinner or coffee, say 'hello', invite people over, give of your time and talents and finance
• Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the imprisoned, sick, and elderly…
• Invite someone to Mass, or a parish mission, or other event/program

Give a reason for the hope that is within you

• Be able to explain the difference Jesus Christ makes in your life, why you are Catholic
• Speak up at work or with friends about current issues and speak to what the Church has to teach