Lay Missionaries
Philothea Lay Missionaries living fully in the world, experiencing its joys and sorrows, and at the same time challenged radically by the tragic loss of the “love of God” in many human hearts (cf. Jn 5:42), engage in various ministries (ministerial mission to the family, youth, professionals, catechetical formation, pastoral care to the sick, liturgical formation) to gain God’s children back to Him. She/he is actively present in the secular world in its manifold professions – as student, farmer, teacher, lawyer, politician, planner, economist, journalist, programmer, artist – but at the same time living a life “hid with Christ in God” (Col 3:3) wanting to be “salt” of the earth and “light” in this world (cf. Mt. 5:13-16) by helping to transform the lives of people and their families.
Training and Formation
After an interview (normally in the month of August) a candidate is admitted to the formation programme which lasts for a whole year (every Saturday). He/she should have completed his/her Form IV education and be a practicing Catholic (Letters of recommendation from the priests are necessary). After a year-long formation, on the Feast of Saint Francis de Sales the person then commits as a Philothea Lay Missionary to work in a specific area of ministry. The Lay Missionaries are required to keep up their on-going formation through the monthly conference, recollection and annual retreat. They are to follow their specific Regulations.
