Apostolate: Any Human Activity Done with Right Intention

Every Catholic … should rejoice, because his talents, knowledge, learning, studies, power, nobility, profession, art, earthly goods, riches, service, prayers … done for the spreading of faith and rekindling of charity … can acquire the merit of the apostolate. (OOCC, IV, p. 326).

St. Vincent Pallotti considered every human activity which a person performs with right and proper intention becomes the apostolate. Thus, a person’s talents, knowledge, learning, studies, nobility, profession, art, earthly goods, riches, service, and prayers are considered as apostolates if they are used for the revival of faith and enkindling of charity. Hence, for St. Vincent, a person can become an apostle by accomplishing the various occupations he is involved in for the glory of God and salvation of the human person. The noble and the people of high society can use their nobility and status as an apostolate. The learned person can use his knowledge. The teacher or student can use his lessons as an apostolate. The farmer can use his work as an apostolate. An office worker’s taking care of his job can be an apostolate. The everyday chores of a person in a home can be an apostolate. Each of these occupational activities, if done with true zeal for the kingdom of God, i.e., done for the revival of faith and re-enkindling of charity in the life of the people, can become apostolates. In this manner, any human activity done with right apostolic intention becomes an apostolate. It helps a person to attain growth in holiness and effectively brings about the salvation of other human persons.

Do I believe that every occupational activity can become an apostolate with the right intention? Do I have the right intention in performing the many activities in my life? Do I have the zeal for the kingdom of God in performing all my actions? Do my actions, as apostolates, help me to grow in holiness, and bring about the salvation of my neighbor?

Conduct yourselves wisely towards outsiders, making most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer every one. (Col. 4: 5 – 6)