General Congregation 34 - Decree 13 - Cooperation with the Laity in Mission

Sep 29, 2026

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General Congregation 34, Decree 13 sets out the Society of Jesus’ understanding of why and how the Church should cooperate with lay people in mission. It links this cooperation to the signs of the times since the Second Vatican Council, and describes the growth and future expansion of lay apostolic leadership. It then presents recommendations on lay service, the formation of laity and Jesuits for collaboration, and further opportunities. Emphasis is placed on listening, shared spirituality, and partnership in evangelizing society.

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CategoryReligion & Spirituality

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General Congregation 34, Decree 13

Cooperation with the Laity in Mission

Service to the Laity in Their Ministry

Formation of Laity and Jesuits

# General Congregation 34,Decree 13 Cooperation with the Laity in Mission 1.A reading of the signs of the times since the Second Vatican Council showsunmistakably that the Church of the next millennium will be called the“Church of the Laity.During the past thirty years increasing numbers of lay people have responded to the call toministry flowing from the grace received in baptism.1 The actualization of their vocation inso many and such varied situations has become the predominant way by which the Peopleof God minister to the world in promotion of the Kingdom.This growth of lay ministry willsurely continue to expand during the next millennium.The Society of Jesus acknowledgesas a grace of our day and a hope for the future that laity "take an active,conscientious,andresponsible part in the mission of the Church in this great moment of history."2 We seek torespond to this grace by offering ourselves in service to the full realization of this missionof the laity,and we commit ourselves to that end by cooperating with them in theirmission.3 2.We discover a similar grace if we read the signs of the times in the apostolic workof the Society of Jesus over the past thirty years.Spurred by the council,GeneralCongregation 31 urged us to “foster the cooperation of the laity in our own apostolicworks."4 Since that time a growing cooperation with the laity has expanded our missionand transformed the ways in which we carry it out in partnership with others.It hasenriched what we do and how we understand our role in that mission.Jesuit works in someareas of the world depend primarily upon lay persons for the carrying out of the mission ofthe Society.We foresee the expansion oflay apostolic leadership in Jesuit works in years tocome and pledge ourselves to assist this development. 3.We also cooperate with many others:priests,men and women religious,withtheir distinct charisms,as well as people of all faiths and believes who seek to build a worldof truth,justice,freedom,peace and love.We are grateful for this cooperation and areenriched by it. 4.Jesuits are both “men for other"5 and“men with others.”6 This basic characteristicof or way of proceeding calls for an attitude and readiness to cooperate,to listen and tolearn from others,to share our spiritual and apostolic inheritance.To be“men with others”is a central aspect of our charism and deepens ouridentity. 5.Because of the experiences of the recent past,many Jesuit provinces as well asmany lay persons have urged this general congregation to take new steps forward incooperation.In response to these requests we offer recommendations concerning (a)theSociety's service to the laity in their ministry,(b)formation of both laity and Jesuits for this cooperation,(c)Jesuit cooperation with laity in works of the Society,other works,andassociations,and(d)opportunities for the future. ## a.Service to the Laity in Their Ministry 6.The expansion and variety of lay apostolic service in our day has remarkabledimensions.Many lay persons recognize their activity as Christian ministry and seek to betrained for and commissioned to this service.Others engage in apostolic service in a moreinformal and implicit manner.Still others participate in lay associations for varied apostolicpurposes.In all these ways many lay men and women give witness to the Gospel.Wherethey live,worship,and work,laity are taking on greater responsibility for the ministry ofthe Church.Called to be holy and concerned for faith,justice,and the poor,they evangelizethe structure of society. 7.The Society of Jesus places itself at the service of this mission of the laity by offeringwhat we are and have received:our spiritual and apostolic inheritance,our educationalresources,and our friendship.We offer Ignatian spirituality as a specific gift to animate theministry of the laity.This apostolic spirituality responds to the unique spirituality of theindividual and adapts itself to present needs;it helps persons to discern their

FAQs

Why does the decree emphasize cooperation with the laity in mission?

It argues that, since the Second Vatican Council, the signs of the times show the Church of the next millennium will be called the “Church of the Laity,” and that lay ministry has become a predominant way the People of God minister to the world.

What forms of lay apostolic service does it describe?

It describes lay people serving as explicit Christian ministry, engaging informally and implicitly, and participating in lay associations for varied apostolic purposes, all of which witness to the Gospel in everyday life.

What formation is recommended for laity and Jesuits to enable cooperation?

The decree calls for formation that uses the Society’s resources, including the Spiritual Exercises when requested, spiritual direction, discernment of apostolic priorities, and practical strategies; it also stresses ongoing renewal of all Jesuits to deepen collaboration.

Sep 29, 2026

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