In the mission of the Church, lay people have an irreplaceable and nontransferable role. Filling the world with the spirit of the Gospel, they make the Church present and active in those places where, without their assistance, it would be impossible for the Good News to reach. It demands of lay Catholics courage in order to establish themselves in new places, finding adequate resources and methods of proclaiming the Gospel. Today, bearing witness to their faith by lay Catholics is indispensable since in many comers of the world the faith encounters countless difficulties and is often challenged or neglected. This witness, both in word and action, requires solid preparation of lay Catholics which trains them to fulfill their role. Spiritual and intellectual formation occupies a special place in this preparation.
