Lay Faithful

Christ Faithful

Who are the Lay Faithful?

Our Lay faithful are baptized members of the Church who are not ordained or consecrated. They are called to be active participants in the life of the Church and to live out their faith in the world. As Pope Francis reminds us, “every baptized person is a missionary” (Evangelii Gaudium, 120). The lay faithful in the Onitsha Archdiocese play a crucial role in bringing the light of Christ to the world, and they are encouraged to grow in their faith and become more involved in the life of the Church.

What is the Role of the Lay Faithful?

The role of the lay faithful in the Onitsha Archdiocese is to be witnesses to the Gospel in their daily lives and in their communities. They are called to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others and to work for the building up of the Kingdom of God in our local area. The lay faithful in Onitsha play a vital role in the Church’s mission of evangelization and bringing the message of Christ to those around them. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, “the lay faithful… have the mission of proclaiming the Gospel, of living and promoting the Christian faith, and of animating the temporal order with a Christian spirit” (CCC 900).

Archdiocesan Statutory Bodies

Laity Council
Catholic Men’s Oranisation (CMO)
Catholic Women’s Organisation (CWO)
Catholic Youth Organisation (CYON)
Catholic Boys’ Organisation (CBO)
Catholic Girls’ Organisation (CGO)
Onitsha Young Catholic Students (ONYCAS)

Active Apostolic Societies

St. Vincent de Paul Society
St. Anthony’s Society
St. Jude’s Society
The Legion of Mary
The Block Rosary Crusade
The Pioneer Abstinence
The Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary
The Mary League Girls
The Apostleship of Prayer League os the Sacred Heart
The Queen of all hearts
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Nigeria (CCRN)
The Shanahan Society
St. Theresa’s Society
St. Anne’s Society
The World Apostolate of Fatima (Blue Army)
The Bible Society
St. Joseph’s Society
St. Elizabeth’s Soceiety
The Church Choir
The Mass Servers Association (Altar Knights)
The Volunteer Religious Teachers’ Association
The Holy Ghost Confraternity
The Scout Movement
The Girls’ Guide
The Miraculous Medal
The Oblates
The Purgatorian (Holy Souls)
The Christian Welfare Association
The Nurses’ Guild
The Knights of St. Mulumba (KSM)
The Knights of St. John International (KSJ)
The Lay Readers Association
Man of Order and Discipline Movement of Nigeria (MOD)
Focolare Movement
Father Tansi Solidarity
St. Stephen’s Society
Society of Our Lady Queen of Apostles
Catholic Workers Volunteer Force (CWVF)
Archdiocesan Marian Radio/TV Council
Madonna Mercy Family International
Social Communications
Catholic Media Workers Organisation
Catholic Choirs Association
Catholic Lifeguard Rehabilitation & Safety Organisation
Pontifical Missionary Union (PMU)
Holy Childhood Association (HCA)
Divine Mercy Prayer Group
Maria Consolata Group
Servants of the poor
Soldiers of Jesus and Mary Movement
Catholic Church Warden Association
Padre Pio Prayer Group
Confraternity of the Miraculous Infant Jesus
Our Mother of Perpetual Help
Catholic Bible Instructors Union
Oblates of the Cistercian Order

How Can the Lay Faithful Get Involved?

How Can the Lay Faithful Get Involved? Church’s mission of evangelization and bringing the message of Christ to those around them. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, “the lay faithful… have the mission of proclaiming the Gospel, of living and promoting the Christian faith, and of animating the temporal order with a Christian spirit” (CCC 900).