The definition of the laity as those not in Holy Orders is swept away by this historic document which provides a positive and clear expression of the identity, dignity, and role of lay people in the mission of the Church. 
The role of the laity was discussed at the 1987 Synod of Bishops. This led to Christifideles Laici, the first comprehensive statement on the calling and mission of lay people in the Church. A calling to fully participate in the new evangelization. John Paul invites the laity as the labourers in the vineyard to labour for the kingdom. 
John Paul starts from the basis that baptism is the source of every Christian's dignity and identity, and calls all to a life of holiness and service. The place of the laity in the Church is discussed, including participation in her life and mission with special reference to charisms and ministry. Great emphasis is placed on the shared responsibility of every lay Christian for the mission of the Church, and the need for a new evangelisation of individuals and society as a whole. Particular emphasis is given to the status and role of women. John Paul ends by exhorting all lay people to be fruitful, and to work with the whole Church in obeying Christ's command to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation".

Christifideles Laici

Religion & Spirituality

John, Paul, II

Christian Books & Bibles

Catholic Truth Society (London)

From its very title, Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life), Pope John Paul II showed that he wished to give the protection of life, from conception to its natural end, a highly positive character and great new spiritual thrust.\nWhile realistically countering new and unprecedented threats to life and the rapid spread of a "culture of death", the primary intention of this document is to proclaim the good news of the value and dignity of each human life, of its grandeur and worth, also in its temporal phase. The cause of life is in fact at the same time the cause of the Gospel and the cause of man, the cause entrusted to the church.\nThis encyclical was published following consultation with an extraordinary Consistory of Cardinals in 1991 and subsequently with all the bishops of the world. It is "a precise and vigorous reaffirmation of the value of human life and its inviolability," containing "a pressing appeal addressed to each and every person in the name of God: Respect, protect, love and serve life, every human life! Only in this direction will you find justice, development, true freedom, peace and happiness."

Evangelium Vitae (Gospel of Life): Encyclical Letter on the Value and Inviolability of Human Life

St John Paul II, Pope

Josephine Bakhita

Biographies & Memoirs

Maynard, Jean Olwen

Leaders & Notable People

Meditations on Stations of the Cross

Newman, Cardinal John Henry

Thinking Christian Ethos: The Meaning of Catholic Education

Saints of Africa

Purgatory (Deeper Christianity)

O Haodha, Fr Donncha

Morning and Evening Prayer: Meditations and Catechesis on Psalms and Canticles

This series of catechesis begun by Pope St John Paul II and completed by his successor Pope Benedict XVI is devoted to promoting the Liturgy of the Hours as a prayer of the whole people of God. These two popes offer original and illuminating reflections on each of the psalms and canticles leading the reader to deeper meditation and understanding. The Psalms and Canticles of the four week cycle of Morning and Evening Prayer are also reproduced here for convenience.

pope-benedict-xvi

Pope St John Paul II

Loving Mary

Rosary (Cts Children's Books)

Teen & Young Adult

Levivier, Juliette

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