Evangelization is the proclamation and sharing of the Good News of Jesus Christ to all people, with the aim of inviting them to enter into a personal relationship with Him and to become His disciples. It is the mission of the Church to spread the Gospel and to bring others to encounter and follow Christ (See Matthew 28:16-20).
The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines evangelization as “the proclamation of Christ and His Gospel by word and the testimony of life, in fulfillment of Christ’s command” (CCC 2044). It emphasizes that evangelization is not limited to the work of ordained ministers or missionaries but is the responsibility of all the baptized.
Evangelization involves both the proclamation of the Gospel message and the witness of a transformed life. Think of the famous quote commonly attributed to St Francis of Assisi: Preach the Gospel always, if necessary, use words. More recently Pope St. Paul VI said the same in Evangelii Nuntiandi #41: “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.” Our ultimate call as Catholic Christians is to live, teach and bring people to Christ through the example of our witness. Especially the witness of a holy life.
The primary goal of the Catholic evangelist is to lead people to faith in Jesus Christ and to help them grow in their relationship with Him. Evangelization is not simply about sharing information but about inviting others to encounter the person of Jesus Christ and to experience His saving love and mercy. This includes inviting them to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, to repent of their sins, and to receive the Sacraments of Initiation, particularly Baptism and the Eucharist.
The New Evangelization
What Pope St JPII called the “New Evangelization” extends to nurturing and supporting the faith of those who have already accepted Christ. It involves ongoing formation, catechesis, and discipleship, helping individuals deepen their understanding of the Faith and grow in holiness.
The methods of evangelization can vary depending on the context and the needs of the people being reached. It can involve personal conversations, preaching, teaching, parish events, media, social outreach, and various forms of evangelistic programs and initiatives.
The Church encourages all believers to participate in the work of evangelization, recognizing that each of us has a unique role to play. This can include sharing your faith with family, friends, and colleagues, being a witness of Christian virtues and values in your daily life in the world, as well as actively participating in the mission and ministries of the Church.
Pope Francis is adamant that Catholics should not proselytize and surely evangelization is not about imposing beliefs or forcing conversions which frankly goes without saying. What evangelization is about is inviting others to encounter the truth and love of Christ. It respects the free will and dignity of each person but seeks to engage in real dialogue, which means to answer questions and address doubts, and respond to the needs and concerns of those being evangelized. In other words what is better known as the Spiritual Works of Mercy.
Ultimately, evangelization is rooted in love and a desire to share the greatest gift we have received – the gift of salvation in Jesus Christ. It is an expression of our love for God and for our neighbor, as we seek to bring others into the Church. The question is how to proceed?
How do Catholics Evangelize?
Catholics can evangelize in various ways, motivated by the Holy Spirit, and guided by the teachings of the Church. With that in mind here are nine proven methods and approaches used by Catholics to effectively evangelize:
1. Personal Witness: Catholics are called to be witnesses of their faith through their words, actions, and the example of their lives. By living out Gospel values and striving to be Christ-like, you can inspire others and encourage them to draw closer to God.
2. Proclamation of the Word: Catholics share the Good News of Jesus Christ by proclaiming the Gospel message. While this can be done through preaching, teaching, and public speaking, for most of us it means engaging in conversations about faith. It involves explaining the teachings of the Church and helping others understand the importance and the beauty of the Christian message.
3. Catechesis and Formation: St JPII said that catechesis is for all Catholics, young and old. Catholics engage in ongoing catechesis and faith formation to deepen their own understanding of the faith and therefore become better equipped to share it with others. This can involve participating in religious education programs, Bible studies, small faith-sharing groups, online classes and other forms of continuing formation.
4. Sacramental Life: The celebration of the sacraments, particularly the Holy Mass, is a powerful means of evangelization. Catholics can invite their non-Catholic friends to come to Holy Mass with them and encourage fallen away Catholic friends and family to return to participation in the sacraments (starting with making a good Confession) and once again experience the grace and presence of Christ in their lives.
5. Prayer and Intercession: It is important for us to recognize the importance of prayer in evangelization. This is something that every Catholic (and that includes you!) can start doing right away. Pray and make sacrifices for those who do not have the faith; pray for the conversion and spiritual growth of others; and pray well as for the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit in your own efforts of evangelization.
6. Social Outreach and Service: Catholics engage in acts of charity and social outreach as a way of expressing God’s love and mercy to others. By serving those in need and addressing social injustices, they bear witness to Gospel values and invite others to encounter Christ through acts of compassion.
7. Apologetics: Catholics engage in apologetics, which is the defense and explanation of the faith. They provide reasoned explanations and responses to questions, doubts, and objections about Catholic beliefs and practices.
8. Media and Technology: When it comes to personal witness, catechesis, apologetics and more, Catholics can and should make use of the various forms of media and technology available today in order to reach a wider audience with the message of the Gospel. This can include social media, podcasts, websites, videos, and other digital resources.
9. Evangelistic Programs and Events: Catholic parishes and dioceses often organize and offer programs, retreats, missions, and other events aimed at reaching out to those who may not be actively practicing their faith or perhaps have not heard the Gospel message. You can attend such functions to meet like minded Catholics and of course invite friends and family to come with you.
This is only a partial list, of course. But suffice it to say: There is a way for every Catholic to effectively evangelize if only they will enlist God’s grace and actively seek it out. That includes you and me. And that’s no nonsense.