What is New About the New Evangelization and Who Needs It?

10/21/2012

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faith. The protagonists of this mission are the men and women who, like St. Paul, can say: "For me to live is Christ" -- persons, families, communities, who decide to work in the vineyard of the Lord, according to the image of this Sunday's Gospel (cf. Matthew 20:1-16)."

The Catholic Church needs conversion at every level. This will necessitate solid catechesis, instruction in the Catholic Christian faith. Many Catholic Christians do not know what their Church actually teaches. They have embraced what some have called a "cafeteria Catholicism"- choosing what parts of the faith they will follow.

In some cases, a practical atheism is spreading, demonstrated by those who claim the title Christian and profess the ancient Christian Creed at Mass but fail to live it during the rest of the week. The message at the core of the New Evangelization is that - before all of this - people need an encounter with the Risen Jesus Christ.

One of the greatest messengers of this call to such an encounter with the Risen Lord is Dr. Ralph Martin. When I was a young man, in my early association with the Franciscan University of Steubenville, I had the privilege of walking and working with Ralph Martin on some projects. His love for the Lord and ability to communicate that love to others was infectious.

As the years passed, our paths crossed less and less. However, Ralph has continued to pour his life out to do all that he could to bring as many people into the experience of that encounter. I was thrilled to see Ralph pursue further theological training, rooted in his own love for the Lord. I did the same. When I read of his appointment as an expert, a consultor for the Synod on the New Evangelization I was not surprised. In fact, I was elated.

My favorite definition of a theologian is from an early church monk named Evagrius of Pontus. He wrote that a theologian is one who "rests his head on the chest of Christ." The image calls to mind the beloved disciple, John, depicted as doing just that in early Christian art. It also speaks of the indispensable prerequisite for any fruitful study of the Bible, a relationship with the Lord in the intimacy of prayer. Ralph Martin is just such a person.

Ann Schneible recently interviewed Ralph in Rome. The full interview can be read here. Ralph shared with her his thoughts on the New Evangelization. Here is an excerpt:

"ZENIT: We've been hearing this term "New Evangelization" for decades now. However, as Catholics we have always been called to evangelization. What characterizes this New Evangelization as "new"?

Ralph Martin: "I think John Paul II really gives a very clear definition in Redemptoris Missio, section 33, where he makes a threefold distinction:

"Primary evangelization is preaching the Gospel to people who have never heard it before, like un-evangelized tribes or peoples or cultures, and that has traditionally been the mission work of the Church, what we have understood as evangelization.

"We also have something called "pastoral care" that's addressed to people who are already living in some relationship with Christ.

"But now, we're facing a new situation which is becoming increasingly widespread that we need to respond to, where people who have some Catholic background or they're baptized perhaps, or they're Irish Catholic or German Catholic or Hispanic Catholic, but they're not living as disciples of Christ. These people need to be told the Gospel again, or maybe even for the first time."

"One of the things that's "new" about the New Evangelization is who it's directed to: our fellow Catholics. Another thing that's new about the New Evangelization is who does it: not just missionary orders, but every single Baptized Catholic is really called to say "yes" to their call to evangelization."

- - -

Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: New Evangelization, missionary, Evangelism, Ralph Martin, conversion, Synod, Year of Faith, renewal, Deacon Keith Fournier

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1 - 4 of 4 Comments

Sylvester George Fernando
6 months ago
To everyone of my Cristian Brothren,
I give the peace that I have received from our Father through his only begotten SON!We are living in a day that is much worse than the days of our early Christian brothren lived witnessing barbarious persecution.Being chosen Christians,we do not live by our thoughts,words and deeds indeed!We are knowingly persecuting our own Christian belief,life and even Christ himself.Where are we heading for?The new evangelization has to take a re-birth in every mind of Western and European Christians.I say very specifically because in the golden yore,who had spread the word of God,and who imitated Christ to give the Living Christ to the whole world:as selfless missionaries,so many holy men and women risked their life to evangelize the world in the Far East.I would love to be with the young children of the West and the Europe to oversee the process of making them to re-discover Jesus Christ in their life as their forefathers did.If the West find the shortage of lay missionaries in their native land,they can easily bring in from the East!It was a time the West had its eyes in the East for material riches;why not now for spiritual riches?Why don't you seek the support of those Christian lay missionaries who are indebted to Christ and his saints,and of course to the people of the West and Europe?Its truly the innocent children of Christ in the West and Europe need the New Evangelization the most.My intuition says the West and Europe need the Eastern Lay Missionaries.Its fuming;before the fire break out,let us initiate New Evangelization.I do invite like-minded Christian brothren to share and care to ignite the Fire of Christ!
abey
6 months ago
The basis of the new Evangelization is to first know that God is Love, God is Holy, God is Good, which makes The Love to be Holy & Good.
Theresa H.
6 months ago
"What is New about the 'New Evangelization' and Who Needs It?" First of all, all of us Catholics need it; no matter how much we know, no matter how much we have studied our Catholic Faith via the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Documents from the Popes, Vatican II, etc.. No matter that we have a degree in Theology, we never "finish" growing in Faith, in the love of Jesus Christ. One of the great ways to "grow" is to partake of a "Group Study" of the "Catechism of the Catholic Church." I would imagine that there is someone in every parish, if a Priest or Deacon does not have time, or whatever, who has some catechetical-teaching background who is able to facilitate a class. We have a small group (not much interest among the majority) in our parish that meets weekly and thoroughly appreciates reading the Catechism together and sharing questions/thoughts on what we have read, turning to the footnote references, etc., etc.... Our Catholic Faith is supposed to be shared: "No one puts a lamp under a bushel-basket, but on a stand" for all to see.... (Mt 5:15ff) See if you can get a class started in your Parish; you will not regret it!
JayKaye
7 months ago
The best view non-believers or mis-believers need to understand is todays society (US) seems to have more and more gross cases of conduct than in the past, as we have seen society slip away from organized religious activities. There is a need for change, such as restoration of decency, self respect, and a true well-being only found in the Truth of His Word.
The Catholic church is the only church governed with a direct deciple of Jesus Christ, in Peter, our first Pope.
Not only is the tradition traced back to Jesus Christ and his followers, there is a foundation world wide that began through Christ, and it continues. The biggest fault of the church is it is governed by people and people are not flawless, rather, we have many shortcomings. Most of us make plenty of mistakes. These unfortunate character defects are a result of not living in His Word, as most of us fall short. Only through reconsiliation with Christ, not only following His Word, but continued growth in it, can we become better. That stands for the priests or others within the church, and the parishes, as well as non-practicing peoples. Standing within and working within the church is proven to be a step closer to living in His Word, so why can't people belong and practice their faith? The answer is, they can.

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