# Laity ## Catechism of the Catholic Church The faithful who, having been incorporated into Christ through Baptism, are made part of the people of God, the Church. The laity participate in their own way in the priestly, prophetic, and kingly functions of Christ. Laity are distinguished from clergy (who have received [[holy-orders|Holy Orders]]) and those in consecrated life ([[1.2.3.9.p2a#^ccc-897|897]]). ## Vatican II - laity — "The term laity is here understood to mean all the faithful except those in Holy Orders" — [[lumen-gentium-04|LG ¶31]] - laity (secular character of) — "Secular duties and activities belong properly although not exclusively to laymen" — [[gaudium-et-spes-01#^gs-43|GS ¶43]] - laity (in the missions) — "unless there is a laity worthy of the name working along with the hierarchy" — [[ag-03#^ag-21|AG ¶21]] - laity (right and duty to apostolate) — "The laity derive the right and duty to the apostolate from their union with Christ the head" — [[aa-01#^aa-3|AA ¶3]] ## Carmelite Charism ### OCDS legislation and formation - defined per Lumen Gentium 31, reproduced at [[05-06-companion#[1] Lumen Gentium 31-35 - (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church) - Vatican II|Cp [1]]] - all the faithful except those in holy orders; secular nature is what specifically characterizes the laity, [[session-02-asp]] - [[appendix-a-asp]] - [[appendix-j-asp]]