The topic is on the transformation of laity leaders. We can't discuss effectively on this topic without finding out first or know who the laity are?
Obviously, this may seem to be a smaller group within a wider group, yet within the "people of God". Vatican ii, defined the term laity as "the faithful or members in the church except those in Holy orders and those in religious states, sanctioned by the church". From the definition, laity are those collective individuals who are not priests. In other words, the laity are the religious people.
Having seen the real or true meaning of the laity, both in the Vatican definition etc. Let's know who are the Laity?
Who are the Laity?
You might be boosting that you know who the Laity are, based on the definition given by the Vaticans, but there are two aspects of this definition:
a) Positive definition.
b) Negative definition.
* Positive definition: Understanding by the second Vatican council of the people of God, that is all the members of the church, all those who are baptised, "you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people". (Peter 2:9).
* Negative definition: This definition is simply the old code of the Canon law, "those who are not clerics".
You might be wondering why are the priests, Bishops, and the popes different from the congregation or the laity or the people of God?
There are differences based on the different functions and the different gifts given by the Holy Spirit for the strengthening and building up of the community. St Paul explains: " for as in the one body we have many members, and all the members do not have the same function, though many are one body in Christ, having gifts that differ according to the grace that is given to us" (Romans 2 : 4-8 ), also in the letter of St Paul to Corinthians, talked about the varieties of gifts given to the peopleof God by the Holy Spirit (
1 Cor. 12 : 4-10 ).
Steps Towards The Spirituality And The Social Transformation Of Laity Leaders :
Before we talk about the spirituality and social transformation of laity leaders, let us briefly explain the two terms "Spirituality" and " Social transformation".
Spirituality: This is simply the manner of which we participate in the mystery of Christ and the gospel. It also portrays the peculiar way a person or groups relates with God and with their neighbours. There's therefore a great variety and the possibility of relationship, and it includes it as a right, on which the church manifests the wish to recognise and protect new gifts and inspirations of the Holy Spirit.
Social transformation: This is the process by which a person is changed in a particular manner. By this form, people are moulded through series of discipline or instructions. Objective in the church is to ensure satisfaction and salvation of all men through the work of evangelization either intra or extra.
Having known this, here are those steps of the spirituality and social transformation of laity leaders:
1) Constant daily individual bible reading.
2) Organizing a parish spiritual revivals at least twice a year.
3) Organizing an enlightenment programmes for the youth at least quarterly on issues such as abortion, drug - abuse, pre marital sex, etc.
4) Guiding and directing pious organisations in the church so as to help them operate according to the teachings of the church.
5) Setting up a parish library where books will be made available to the laity.
6) Organizing bible or doctrine quiz competition.
7) Conducting healing masses at least once a month.
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