Catholic Organizations & Movements to Join

For two thousand years, Catholics have gathered into organizations, apostolates and movements to live the faith more fully together than they ever could alone. These Catholic groups carry distinct charisms — gifts of the Holy Spirit expressed through a particular way of praying, serving and evangelizing. Some are ancient; many of today's most vibrant Catholic lay organizations were born in the last century as the Church called every baptized person, not only priests and religious, to share in her mission.

A fraternal order like the Knights of Columbus channels charity and brotherhood among Catholic men. An apostolate like the Legion of Mary sends laypeople out to visit the lonely and pray with the sick. Renewal movements such as Cursillo and Regnum Christi form disciples through retreats and small groups, while the Secular Franciscans weave the spirit of St. Francis into ordinary family and working life. Together these Catholic movements show that holiness is meant to be lived in community, in the world.

Catholic Connect exists to help you take the next step. Reading about these organizations is one thing; meeting their members is another. Our app maps the Catholics, groups and events around you, so you can move from curiosity to a real local chapter and real friendships. Browse the directory below, pick the organization that speaks to you, then use Catholic Connect to find a chapter and members near you.