A Policy from Pope Pius XII - An Epistle to the Sodalist

Sep 21, 2026

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A Policy from Pope Pius XII sets out guidance for Catholic sodalities on the apostleship of prayer and its relation to external apostolic work. It emphasizes moderation, prudence, and the idea that prayer can be exercised by many regardless of their capacity for active apostolate. The text connects apostolic activity to duties in one’s state of life and highlights the spiritual purpose of joining prayers and actions to the sacrifice of Christ, modeled through Mary’s example.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

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Pages36

Reading Time1 h 31 min

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A Policy from Pope Pius XII

Apostleship of Prayer and External Apostolate

Forms of Apostolate: Good Example and Prayer

Spirit of Prayer for Active Apostolates

Vol.3—No.9 JUNE 1957 1reCt1n Direction For Directors,Moderators,andAdult SodalistsVol.3,No.9June 1957 James J.McQuade,S.J.Editor CONTENTS George P.Prendergast,As We See ItJames J.McQuade,S.J.. 1S.J.Good Officers are Good ExecutivesManaging Editor Lewis Delmage,S.J. 2 Associate Editors:Marian Discussion for June4Edward Dowling,S.J.Really Thinking With the ChurchWilliam B.Faherty, Dorothy J.Willmann 5S.J. R.B.Morrison,S.J.Basic Elements of Sodality MoraleJames J.McQuade,S.J. 8Joseph A.Sommer,S.J. Examination of Conscience for Sodalities10F.L.Zimmerman,S.J. Dorothy WillmannWhen Daily Mass Is Impossible Lewis Delmage,S.J.12Circulation Manager:Evelyn SextonHow a Parish Men's Sodality Started Charles A.Wasserbauer 13DIRECTION,publishedmonthly October throughJune by the NationalMeaning of Sodality ConsecrationSodality Service Center atMother St.Peter Julian,R.J.M.15The Queen's Work,3115South Grand Boulevard,St.Louis 18,Missouri.SSCA College Sessions 195716 SUBSCRIPTION RATE, Know the N.C.R.L.C. James J.McQuade,SJ.18$2.00 a year U.S.;$2.25Foreign.Copyright 1957 byThe Queens Work,Inc.An Epistle to the SodalistSaint Paul 19Entered as second-classmatter,September 1954,at the Post Office at St.Official20Louis,Missouri,under theAct of March 3,1879.Ac-ceptance,for mailing atSodality is for the“Top Flight”the special rate of post-James J.McQuade,S.J.21age provided for in theAct of February 28,1925,under paragraph 4,Sec·Gospel Meditations for June Meetingstion 538,P.L.&R.;author-ized November 15,1939.Joseph A.Sommer,S..J.23 Way of Life Committee Sparks SodalityNational SodalityPatricia S.Morris 25Service CenterThe_Queen's Work3115_South GrandNational Federation of Sodalities of Our Lady,BoulevardConvention Resolutions27St.Louis 18,Missouri # A Policy from Pope Pius XII James J.McQuade,S.J. UJE KNOW,"so spoke His Holi-dalists,"why we most earnestlyW ness,Pius XII,to the Pro-desire that all those who havemoters of the Apostleship ofgiven themselves to the externalPrayer last September,"that theworks of the apostolate join thefaithful have hardly ever been soApostleship of Prayer and be im-devoted to the apostolate as theybued with its spirit:clerics andare now.Some even state thatlaity,men and women,all thoseall have the duty to engage in thiswho in ‘Catholic Action'or inapostolate.other societies aid the apostolateof the Hierarchy. “Speaking of this matter callsfor moderation and prudence.Theexternal apostolate can be exer-cised only by those who have theneeded talent and whose circum-stances permit it.Not all menqualify.” "Indeed it is most desirablethat they adhere to that form ofthe Apostleship of Prayer whichyour Sodality offers.For if it ispraiseworthy that certain dailyprayers be prescribed in otherreligious societies for indulgencesand in aid of apostolic work,cer-tainly the Sodality needs to beaided by such activity of thefaithful,and indeed should leadthem to the perfection of theApostleship of Prayer that theymay offer up to God and to Christall their prayers and actions,what they do and what they suf-fer,the good and the evil,thatthey assist as often as possible atthe Sacrifice of Jesus Christ,unite themselves to It and thusimitate the example of the BlessedVirgin Mary according to themind of the Supreme Pontiff forthe good and increase of theChurch." After explaining the relation-ship between the apostolate andthe duties of one's state in life hecontinues,"Yet there are twokinds or forms of the apostolatewhich all can exercise:the apos-tolate of good example and theapostolate of prayer,"explainingthat these take neither time norspecial talent. However,the Holy Father in-sists that the Apostleship ofPrayer is not for those only whoare unable to give themselves tothe more active apostolate.Hetells us that those in the activeapostolate need the spirit ofprayer and the outstanding ex-ample of Christian life evenmore. Thus does the promotion of theApostleship of Prayer become oneo

FAQs

What relationship does the policy describe between the apostolate and duties in one’s state of life?

It explains how apostolic engagement should be aligned with the duties proper to each person’s state in life.

Why does the policy stress the moderation and prudence of external apostolate?

It states that external apostolate can be carried out only by those with the needed talent and circumstances that permit it.

What two forms of apostolate does the policy say everyone can exercise?

It highlights the apostolate of good example and the apostolate of prayer, noting that these require neither special talent nor much time.

Sep 21, 2026

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