On this episode of the Son Rise Morning Show, Fr. Frank Donio of the Catholic Apostolate Center discusses the role and empowering mission of the laity through the lens of Venerable Fulton Sheen. Fr. Frank highlights Sheen’s tenure as national director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and his influential role at the Second Vatican Council on the decree on missionary activity, Ad Gentes. He notes Sheen’s emphasis that mission is defined not merely by what it is, but where it occurs—underscoring that all the baptized are called to be missionaries in their everyday lives. The conversation also explores the true meaning of the lay apostolate, correcting misconceptions that lay involvement is limited to liturgical roles within church walls. Reminding listeners that the Church cannot become a closed "club," Fr. Frank and host Matt emphasize that the laity are sent forth from Mass to witness Christ in the workplace, schools, and secular corners of the world where clergy cannot easily go. Fr. Frank connects this outward mission to the legacy of St. Vincent Pallotti, pointing out that every modern pope has reaffirmed this essential calling of lay people to show the face of Christ to the world.
On this episode of the Son Rise Morning Show, Fr. Frank Donio of the Catholic Apostolate Center discusses the role and empowering mission of the laity through the lens of Venerable Fulton Sheen. Fr. Frank highlights Sheen’s tenure as national director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and his influential role at the Second Vatican Council on the decree on missionary activity, Ad Gentes. He notes Sheen’s emphasis that mission is defined not merely by what it is, but where it occurs—underscoring that all the baptized are called to be missionaries in their everyday lives.
The conversation also explores the true meaning of the lay apostolate, correcting misconceptions that lay involvement is limited to liturgical roles within church walls. Reminding listeners that the Church cannot become a closed "club," Fr. Frank and host Matt emphasize that the laity are sent forth from Mass to witness Christ in the workplace, schools, and secular corners of the world where clergy cannot easily go. Fr. Frank connects this outward mission to the legacy of St. Vincent Pallotti, pointing out that every modern pope has reaffirmed this essential calling of lay people to show the face of Christ to the world.