What does evangelization mean?

The term Evangelization literally means “to preach the gospel and encourage conversion to the heart and mind of Jesus." Preaching the gospel is the art of delivering a public discourse, sermon or witness on behalf of Jesus Christ.

The National Directory for Catechesis (NDC) places evangelization at the core of ministry to fire a new energy and commitment to proclaim the Gospel. Everyone in ministry must appreciate the fact that evangelization and a comprehensive catechesis are in some way part of their own responsibilities.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines evangelization as: “the proclamation of Christ and His Gospel by word and the testimony of life, in fulfillment of Christ’s command.” 

Evangelization means bringing the good news of Jesus into every human situation and seeking to convert individuals and society by the divine power of the Gospel itself. Catholic Evangelization has three goals:

• to bring about in all Catholics such an enthusiasm for their faith that, in living their faith in Jesus, they freely share it with others.
• to invite all people in the United States, whatever their social or cultural background, to hear the message of salvation in Jesus Christ so they may come to join us in the fullness of the Catholic Faith.
• to foster Gospel values in our society, promoting the dignity of the human person, the importance of the family and the common good of our society, so that our nation may continue to be transformed by the saving power of Jesus Christ.

Evangelization Ministries are called to assist the Archbishop and the Archdiocese to carry out this mission. The Archdiocesan Evangelization Commission offers leadership for resources and assistance to parishes in all areas of Catholic Evangelization. This Ministry guides and facilitates this mission through the formation and support of leadership and catechists through prayer and witness, and the development of programs, processes and resources. In the fulfillment of this mission, we are to witness God’s unconditional love and to bring Christ’s healing presence to our world.

Where does Catholic evangelization come from?

Catholic evangelization is deeply rooted in Scripture, in the very person of Jesus Christ, and mandated anew by the Second Vatican Council. Jesus Christ is the Good News for us. At His Ascension to the Father, Jesus commanded his disciples to carry out His message when He said: All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20) This passage is known in tradition as “the Great Commission.”

On December 8, 1975, Pope Paul VI published his Apostolic Exhortation: On Evangelization in the Modern World (Evangelii Nuntiandi). It was inspired by the Synod of Bishops of 1974 and is considered to be the “watershed” document for contemporary evangelization. It gives to Catholics a renewed focus on evangelization. As a result of that document, Catholic interest in evangelization has been renewed and the energy the Church seeks to devote to this work has been expanded.

Pope Paul VI teaches that evangelization is the Church’s essential mission. “Evangelization is in fact the grace and vocation proper to the Church, her deepest identity. She exists in order to evangelize, that is to say, in order to preach and teach, to be the channel of the gift of grace, to reconcile sinners with God, and to perpetuate Christ’s sacrifice in the Mass, which is the memorial of His death and glorious resurrection.”

The object of Catholic evangelization is conversion to Jesus Christ in and through the Church. The Gospel is the good news of salvation in and through Jesus. For us, it is the evangelization message that we are called to proclaim and to witness.

Contact information

• Evangelization Ministries
• Office of Catholic Education
• 1400 N. Meridian Street, P.O. Box 1410
• Indianapolis, IN 46206-1410
• Local: 317-236-1432
• Toll Free: 800-302-9836, ext. 1432
• Fax: 317-261-3364