Let's Define 'New Evangelization'

Popes John Paul II, Benedict XV and Francis have all written about the need for a “new evangelization.”  What do they mean by “new evangelization?”

Evangelization is the main mission of the Church, given by Jesus as recorded at the end of Matthew’s Gospel: “Go forth and make disciples of all nations, teaching them everything that I have taught you, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”  This is the primary reason for the Church’s existence – to spread the Good News of God’s saving work through his Son Jesus Christ.

New evangelization means that every diocese, parish, and individual Catholic must see this as their primary purpose in being blessed with faith in Jesus.  We do not exist only to maintain our churches or save our own souls.  We are to be that “City set high on the hill side” radiating the presence of Christ so that others are drawn to us.

New evangelization means that we must reach out to unchurched people who have never been part of a faith community.  They may be our own extended family members, people with whom we work or people in our neighborhoods.  We witness primarily to them by the way we live.  These are usually simple ways – words of kindness and affirmation, letting someone get into the line of stalled traffic who has been waiting to enter the street from a business, sharing our faith and what a difference it has made in our life to be a member of a faith community.  Evangelizing the unchurched may also mean inviting someone to come to Mass or another Church service with us, or a social gathering. When was the last time you or I welcomed someone who was not affiliated with a church to do this?

New Evangelization also means that we reach out to our inactive members listening to them regarding the reasons they are no longer active in our parishes.  Not condemning or judging them, but listening to them and encouraging them to return – and welcoming them with open arms and hearts when they come home.

New Evangelization also means that the faith of our present parish membership needs to be re-awakened and strengthened so that Catholics are not just “members” but disciples of the Lord both in our churches and beyond.  In the Church, by sharing their gifts in service to one another, being good stewards of time and talent.  We all need our faith rekindled or it may die.

Pope Francis, in “The Joy of the Gospel,” speaks about the social dimension of evangelization.  We are called to make the “kingdom of God present in our world.” 

One of the great achievements of Vatican II was the development of a theology of the laity. “Through the sacraments of baptism and confirmation, the laity share in the church’s mission appointed by the Lord himself” (Lumen Gentium 33).  Their vocation is to build up God’s kingdom by engaging in temporal affairs – by living gospel values in their families, workplaces, and everywhere else they go. 

Thus, our world becomes infused with Christ’s Spirit. “Accepting the first proclamation, which invites us to receive God’s love and to love him in return with the very love which is his gift brings forth in our lives and actions a primary and fundamental response:  to desire, seek and protect the good of others” (Evangelii Gaudium 178). We do this because every person has been created in the image and likeness of Christ and redeemed by Christ; therefore, they possess a dignity in the eyes of God that we must protect and foster.