Portal:Lay orgs/Intro
Lay organizations, also known as lay apostolates, lay movements, or associations of the faithful, are voluntary groups composed primarily of lay Catholics (non-ordained members of the Church) that engage in spiritual, charitable, educational, or social activities to promote the Gospel and serve the Church and society. These organizations operate under the guidance of the Catholic Church, often with formal recognition from the Holy See, and emphasize the active participation of the laity in the Church's mission as outlined in the Second Vatican Council's Lumen gentium (1964), which calls on laypeople to sanctify the world from within. Ranging from fraternal societies and prayer groups to global humanitarian networks, they foster community, evangelization, and works of mercy, complementing the roles of clergy and religious orders.