Archbishop of Denver James R. Golka Recognizes Missio Dei Catholic's Mission!

Missio Dei Inc., now formally recognized by the proper ecclesial authority, as Missio Dei Catholic, is an apostolate dedicated to the mission of the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and with it, the education of the Catholic faith, in the spirit of the Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity—Apostolicam Actuositatem.

The ecumenical council document is the founding and operating document for our cooperative organization. The Fathers of the Vatican II council, recognizing the challenges of our modern society, sought to remind, reassert, and arm the laity—the Church Militant—with the Church's first mission: to proclaim and witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all nations. The document states, “The laity derive the right and duty to the apostolate from their union with Christ the head; incorporated into Christ’s Mystical Body through Baptism and strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit through Confirmation, they are assigned to the apostolate by the Lord Himself. They are consecrated for the royal priesthood and the holy people (cf. 1 Peter 2:4–10) not only that they may offer spiritual sacrifices in everything they do but also that they may witness to Christ throughout the world.” ¹

What is unfortunate for many lay Catholics is the lack of awareness of Apostolicam Actuositatem itself. I became aware of it while reading it during my Master’s studies. The document is a reiteration of the great commission given to all baptized and confirmed Catholics. It states:

An apostolate of this kind does not consist only in the witness of one's way of life; a true apostle looks for opportunities to announce Christ by words addressed either to non-believers with a view to leading them to faith, or to the faithful with a view to instructing, strengthening, and encouraging them to a more fervent life. "For the charity of Christ impels us" (2 Cor. 5:14). The words of the Apostle should echo in all hearts, "Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel²

There are many in our secular society who desire the faithful to stay quiet about the faith—there are Western nations that will criminalize you for preaching the gospel on the streets or reading the Holy Bible, God’s sacred revelation, in public. There is public pressure in the United States due to the taboo of secular culture to stay silent about the Catholic faith. All of us—confirmed Catholics—have been given the mission to “announce Christ by words!” And with it, the truth that Christ gives the world.

As sharers in the role of Christ as priest, prophet, and king, the laity have their work cut out for them in the life and activity of the Church. Their activity is so necessary within the Church communities that without it the apostolate of the pastors is often unable to achieve its full effectiveness…They bring to the Church people who perhaps are far removed from it, earnestly cooperate in presenting the word of God especially by means of catechetical instruction, and offer their special skills to make the care of souls and the administration of the temporalities of the Church more efficient and effective…They should develop an ever-increasing appreciation of their own diocese, of which the parish is a kind of cell, ever ready at their pastor's invitation to participate in diocesan projects. Indeed, to fulfill the needs of cities and rural areas, (3) they should not limit their cooperation to the parochial or diocesan boundaries but strive to extend it to interparochial, interdiocesan, national, and international fields.³

It is my belief that Missio Dei Catholic has done all of the above for the past four years. I feel honored and thankful for Archbishop James R. Golka for formally recognizing our mission field as part of the Apostolate of the Laity. I sought his approval once it became apparent we were going to develop our mission further, from an online publication into charity work, a print publication, and a publisher. Apostolicam Actuositatem makes clear, “No project, however, may claim the name “Catholic” unless it has obtained the consent of the lawful Church authority. Certain forms of the apostolate of the laity are given explicit recognition by the hierarchy.”⁴

Missio Dei Inc. from its beginning was organized with writers, many of whom are affiliated with Holy Apostles College and Seminary as students or alumni, who have formally studied the Catholic faith at the college level. Again, it is understood via Apostolicam Actuositatem that “In addition to spiritual formation, a solid doctrinal instruction in theology, ethics, and philosophy adjusted to differences of age, status, and natural talents, is required. The importance of general culture along with practical and technical formation should also be kept in mind.”⁵

It must also be stated that the Apostolate of the Laity in its fullness goes further than mere proclamation, “Since the works of charity and mercy express the most striking testimony of the Christian life, apostolic formation should lead also to the performance of these works so that the faithful may learn from childhood on to have compassion for their brethren and to be generous in helping those in need.”⁶

Please consider supporting either the Evangelization Fund, dedicated to publishing books and other media that defend the Catholic faith, or the Ron Hadden Catholic Scout Fund, which provides financial assistance to youth in Catholic Scout Youth Ministry. Missio Dei Inc. is a 501(C)(3) not-for-profit organization. Its EIN is 99-4190264. All donations are tax-deductible.

You can also support Missio Dei Catholic by becoming a paid supporter here on Substack. We have new incentives! You can subscribe monthly for only $5 (or a discounted $50 annually) you will receive a Missio Dei Lapel Pin! If you become a founding member—You will receive a lapel pin and our books: Crown of Roses: Devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Eucharistic Revival Project.

Thank you for keeping our mission alive!

Phillip Hadden

President of Missio Dei Inc.

1. AA, 3.

2. AA, 6.

3. AA, 10.

4. AA, 24.

5. AA, 29.

6. AA, 31.