In this installment of his lecture series on the Lay Apostolate, Father John Anthony Hardon, S.J. emphasizes the moral imperative for lay Catholics to actively share their faith with others (7:32 - 8:51). He argues that because the modern world is heavily influenced by secular media and "the father of lies," Catholics are obliged—under the penalty of sin—to serve as channels of truth. Fr. Hardon defines "peace of mind" as the experience of knowing the truth, suggesting that the primary apostolic mission for the laity is to evangelize, sanctify, and work toward the Christian renewal of the temporal order (8:59 - 10:27, 36:30 - 37:14).
A central theme of the talk is the necessity of rigorous training for the laity, which Fr. Hardon insists should begin from childhood (7:04 - 7:28). He highlights the power of "peer influence," urging parents and educators to train young people to positively influence their contemporaries rather than falling victim to external pressures (14:02 - 15:45). He expresses strong concern over the decline of Catholic schooling and the lack of doctrinal understanding among even highly educated adults, advocating for a systematic approach to spiritual, doctrinal, and pedagogical preparation to ensure that Catholics are equipped to defend and propagate their beliefs (18:45 - 22:34, 32:42 - 34:02).
The lecture concludes with a detailed Q&A session addressing various practical and theological concerns, including the importance of the sacraments and prayer in the life of an apostle (37:35 - 41:20). Fr. Hardon discusses the role of Catholic associations, the moral responsibility regarding political involvement, and his firm opposition to practices he deems contrary to Christian teaching, such as "centering prayer" (59:10 - 1:01:06). Throughout, he reinforces the message that every Catholic is called to be an agent of grace, communicating the truth of the faith in every sector of life—professional, social, and personal—to re-convert America to Christ (24:11 - 25:14, 1:08:46 - 1:09:24).
