Find My Charism
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Apostleship

Helping people grow into Christian mission and carry its work forward.

Wondering how this gift may show up in your life? Discover your charisms →

Jesus calls Peter and Andrew
Jesus calls Peter and Andrew · Matthew 4:18–20 About this Scripture scene ↓

Understanding Apostleship

Apostleship helps people grow into the Church’s mission and prepares them to carry its work forward. The Holy Spirit can work through someone who gathers a team, supports developing leaders, or helps a Christian community begin new service. Its emphasis is forming and sending others, alongside the continuing care offered by Servant Leadership. All this serves Christ in communion with the bishops, who continue the Apostles’ pastoral office.

CCC 799–801 · CCC 857–864

Where you may recognize it

Consider the relationships and responsibilities already part of your life.

Gathering people

You bring people together around a need and help them see how their faith calls them to respond.

Supporting another leader

You encourage someone to accept an appropriate responsibility and stay alongside them as they learn.

Strengthening a community

You notice where a group needs clearer purpose, prayer, or support to continue its work.

Matthew 4:18–20 ↗

Called to follow Jesus

The image at the top of this page shows Jesus calling Peter and Andrew beside the sea. They leave their nets and begin following him.

Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Jesus calls the disciples to himself and promises to form them for a mission. Their work begins in following him. Helping others grow into service likewise means attending to their relationship with Christ and preparing them to carry the work forward, rather than making them dependent on a leader.

More Scripture & Church teaching
1 Corinthians 12:4–11, 27–31

Paul describes a variety of gifts from the same Spirit, given for the benefit of the whole body.

Catechism 799–801

Charisms are gifts of the Holy Spirit for building up the Church and serving others. Love is their measure, and their discernment includes the guidance of the Church’s pastors.

Catechism 863–864

All the Church’s members share in her apostolate, according to their calling, in communion with Christ.

Catechism 857–864

Christ’s Apostles have a unique foundational role, and the bishops continue their pastoral office. All Christians also share in the apostolate: bringing Christ’s saving love into the world.

A mentor equips two outreach volunteers to serve neighbors outside a modest community center.

Apostleship in service of others

These ministries and programs may offer ways to serve through Apostleship. Speak with parish staff about where help is needed, how to prepare, and the parish’s volunteer process.

OCIA team support

Serve with the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), the parish process for adults becoming Catholic. Help the team accompany people exploring the faith and preparing to enter the Church.

Ways volunteers may help

  • Help participants feel welcome and supported within the parish process.
  • Support discussions and activities as arranged by the OCIA team.
  • Serve as a sponsor or in another role when invited and prepared by the parish.

Begin with your parish

Contact the OCIA coordinator to discuss the roles needed and the formation and volunteer process for the team.

Parish evangelization and retreat teams

Help people encounter Christ through a parish evangelization course or retreat, such as ChristLife or The Rescue Project. Welcome, meals, invitations, discussion and prayer each offer ways to serve.

Ways volunteers may help

  • Welcome guests and help them feel free to ask questions.
  • Help with meals, invitations, room setup or course materials.
  • Support table conversations or prayer in the role for which the team has prepared you.

Begin with your parish

Ask the parish evangelization coordinator about its courses, retreats and volunteer teams. The coordinator can explain the preparation and responsibilities of each role.

Programs you may recognize

  • ChristLife

    Discovering Christ, Following Christ and Sharing Christ help people encounter Jesus and grow as disciples. Parish teams serve through welcome, meals, discussion, prayer and practical preparation.

  • The Rescue Project

    A Catholic Gospel-centered experience from ACTS XXIX, built around a meal, video and conversation. Parish teams help with hospitality, invitations, discussion and prayer.

Men’s, women’s and small-group formation

Help people grow in faith through a parish group, such as That Man Is You!, Walking with Purpose, She Shall Be Called Woman, or another small Christian community.

Ways volunteers may help

  • Welcome participants and help newcomers find their group.
  • Help with breakfast, refreshments, materials or room setup.
  • Support discussion and prayer in the role arranged by the parish team.

Begin with your parish

Ask the parish formation coordinator about volunteering with its men’s, women’s or other small-group programs. The team can explain the roles, preparation and support available.

Programs you may recognize

  • That Man Is You!

    A Catholic men’s parish program combining faith formation and small-group conversation. Core teams organize sessions, welcome participants and support the group’s life together.

  • Walking with Purpose

    Catholic Bible studies for women and girls. Parish volunteer teams receive preparation and support to help women learn Scripture and build friendships in faith.

  • She Shall Be Called Woman

    A Catholic women’s program from Paradisus Dei, bringing together fellowship, video presentations and small-group discussion. Parish core teams receive training and materials.

Resources for learning and preparation

  • FORMED — Augustine Institute

    Catholic studies, films and talks for individuals and groups. The Search introduces the faith, while Symbolon explores Catholic belief and life. Ask whether your parish provides access.

  • Franciscan at Home

    Ministry-formation workshops from Franciscan University’s Catechetical Institute for catechists, parish teams and other people serving the Church. Ask your parish or diocese about available formation and access.

As you discern

Bring these experiences to prayer, Mass and the sacraments, and conversation with a priest or trusted guide in the faith. Look over time for love of God and neighbor, faithfulness to Church teaching, and the good of those you serve. Joy, difficulty, and others’ feedback can help you recognize patterns. Look for people growing into Christian mission and responsibility through your support. If no example comes to mind, begin with the experience suggested below.

Recall helping someone prepare for Christian service. What became theirs to carry forward, and what support did they still need?

When another leader or the Church’s guidance redirects your work, how do you respond and help the people involved grow?

Something to try: Ask a parish leader where help preparing others for a role would be useful. Take an agreed part in that preparation, invite the learner’s questions, and return later to what they can now do and what guidance they still need.

Bring this to prayer

Saint Paul the Apostle in prayer.

Saint Paul the Apostle

Come, Holy Spirit. Help me follow Christ before asking anyone to follow my lead.

Teach me to strengthen others, welcome guidance, and serve the mission of your Church.

Saint Paul the Apostle, pray for me.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Paul first persecuted Christians, but his encounter with the risen Jesus changed the direction of his life. He traveled to proclaim the Gospel, formed Christian communities, and helped others become leaders within them. Through letters and collaborators, he continued to guide and encourage those communities, showing how helping others grow in faith can prepare them to carry Christ’s work forward.

More about his life ↗