What is Evangelization?

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the close of the age." - Matthew 28:19-20

Put simply, evangelization is the proclamation of the Gospel to the world. This is accomplished through words – that is, explicit preaching of the Gospel message – and through the witness of the faithful through the Works of Mercy and the pursuit of holiness.

All the baptized are called to the mission of evangelization, although how they fulfill that calling will depend on the specific vocation and gifts of the individual. For most Catholics, evangelization will be most evident in how we live together in our communities, extending the mercy and love of God to those around us while being ready to explain how the faith has helped us.

"Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses." - Bl. Paul VI

Examples of evangelization include:

• Answering a friend’s questions about Jesus and the Church
• Sharing a story about how your faith has positively affected your life
• Door-to-door invitations by parishioners
• International missionaries
• Outreach activities such as food pantries, homeless shelters, and soup kitchens
• Inviting persons of other faiths to tour a Catholic church