It is a fundamental principle of Christian faith that every person is called by God. We are called into life, and called into relationship with him. When we live out that relationship in a reflective way, it usually becomes clear that God is calling each of us to live his or her life in a particular way. This may be in marriage, or as a single person; in priesthood, or in religious life.

People sometimes think of lay-people as people who do nothing; who have no role. This is not the case. As with any relationship, our relationship with Christ must be dynamic, or else it dies.

In the course of the twentieth century many new religious movements and associations came into existence in the Church. These were largely due to an increasing awareness of the need for lay people to be active as disciples of Christ. The movements take their places alongside some of the older associations and societies, which have a long and honourable tradition in the Church.

There is no such thing as Christianity without community. Many of the new movements emphasise the communal dimension of the Christian vocation. They recognise the need that each person has for support in living as a Christian. In some cases members actually live together, sharing what they own, and praying together. In other cases, members live in their own family homes, but come together regularly for prayer and other community activities.

Jesus also emphasised the importance of service among his disciples, and this is another feature of many of the new movements and associations in the Church. Some are active in the work of justice and peace, others in the service of the poor or the disabled.

As the characteristics of these movements vary considerably, this page is presented as a collection of links to the web-pages of the movements, in which they present their own ethos, and through which it is possible to make direct contact.

If your movement is not mentioned here, and if it has the charcteristics outlined above, please mail us, and we will try to include it.