An
Apostolate is a Christian organization "directed to serving and evangelizing the world", most often associated with the
Anglican Communion or the
Catholic Church. In more general usage, an apostolate is an association of persons dedicated to the propagation of a religion or a doctrine. The word apostolate comes from the Greek word
apostello, which means to "send forth" or "to dispatch". The
Christian origin of the word comes from the
twelve apostles who were selected by Christ; they had a "special vocation, a formal appointment of the Lord to a determined office, with connected authority and duties". An apostolate can be a Christian organization made up of the
laity or of a specific Christian religious order.