The Catholic Church's role in evangelization is central to its identity and mission, stemming directly from Christ's command to His Apostles 1 2. This mission is understood as a continuation of the work desired by the Lord Jesus and is considered an expression of the Church's very nature 3.

The Missionary Mandate

The Church is divinely sent to all nations to be the "universal sacrament of salvation" 2 4. This mandate is rooted in God's eternal love, as He desires all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth 1. Jesus explicitly commanded His followers: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20) 2 3 5. This command is an "obligatory mandate for the whole Church and for every individual member of Christ's faithful" 6.

Essential Aspects of Evangelization

• Proclamation of the Gospel: The Church's primary task is to proclaim the saving truth of the Gospel to the ends of the earth 7. This involves making known the beauty of the Gospel and preaching Jesus Christ as true God and true man, who brought salvation through His death and Resurrection 3. The Apostle Paul's words, "Woe to me, if I do not preach the Gospel," are embraced by the Church as its own 7.
• Preparation for Sacraments: Through the proclamation of the Gospel, the Church prepares hearers to receive and profess the faith, giving them the necessary dispositions for baptism 7.
• Incorporation into Christ: Evangelization snatches people from the slavery of error and idols, incorporating them into Christ so that they may grow into full maturity in Him through charity 7.
• Transformation of Cultures: The Church's work in evangelization not only saves what is good in the minds, hearts, religious practices, and cultures of diverse peoples but also cleanses, raises up, and perfects it for the glory of God and the happiness of humanity 7.
• Cooperation with the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is the "principal agent of the whole of the Church's mission," whose action is pre-eminent in the mission ad gentes (to the nations) 8. The Church is compelled by the Holy Spirit to fulfill God's plan for Christ to be the source of salvation for the whole world 7.
• Transmission of Salvation: The Church's essential goal, in addition to glorifying the Triune God, is to transmit the goods of salvation—Jesus Christ's Gospel and sacraments—to every generation in need of truth and salvation 9. This transmission process, guided by the Holy Spirit, acquires theological and supernatural significance 9.

Universal Responsibility

The obligation of spreading the faith is imposed on every disciple of Christ, according to their state 7. While all the faithful can baptize, the priest alone can complete the building up of the Body of Christ in the Eucharistic sacrifice 7. The Church prays and labors for the entire world to become the People of God, the Body of the Lord, and the Temple of the Holy Spirit 7.

Historical Continuity and New Challenges

The concern for proclaiming the Gospel to all nations has been the Church's principal task from the beginning 4. In contemporary times, this mission faces new challenges, particularly from an abandonment of faith in societies that were historically permeated by the Gospel. Social changes, advancements in science and technology, and global migration have profoundly altered the world and impacted the religious dimension of human life, necessitating new forms and strategies for evangelization 3.

In summary, the Church's role in evangelization is a fundamental and ongoing mission, rooted in Christ's command, driven by God's love for humanity, and empowered by the Holy Spirit to bring salvation to all people and transform the world according to God's plan 1 7 3.