apostolate

An apostolate is a mission, work, or activity undertaken to spread a religious faith or to serve others, especially within a church. The term comes from the Greek apostolos, “one who is sent,” and from Latin apostolatus, denoting a sending or commission. In Christian usage, it refers to organized initiatives aimed at extending the reach of the Gospel, promoting communion, and serving human needs in line with Christian teaching.

In the Catholic Church, the apostolate denotes the active work of laypeople, religious institutes, dioceses, parishes, and apostolic groups. It covers evangelization, catechesis, education, social services, healthcare, media outreach, and other forms of service. An apostolate can be a formal organization or a loose network pursuing a shared mission. Some contexts distinguish apostolic work from contemplative life within a religious order, describing the external ministry as apostolate.

Historically, the concept gained renewed emphasis in the modern era, especially after the Second Vatican Council, which encouraged greater lay participation in the Church's mission and articulated a universal call to holiness and apostolate.

Beyond Catholic usage, the term appears in other Christian traditions to denote organized mission and service activities shaped by faith, including missionary societies, outreach programs, and ecumenical and interfaith initiatives.