Frequently Asked Questions

A lay apostolate refers to a group of lay Catholics who actively participate in the Church's mission of evangelization and service in specific contexts outside of ordained ministry. Unlike clergy, who are ordained to perform sacramental duties, lay individuals are not ordained but play a crucial role in spreading the Gospel and serving the needs of the Church and the community.

It's important to note that as a lay apostolate, CMA-US operates under the pastoral leadership and guidance of the Archbishop for the Military Services, USA. This affiliation underscores our commitment to the teachings and authority of the Catholic Church, and ensures that our activities are aligned with the Church's mission and laws.

You abosolutely can, nobody's stopping you! However, while any fellowship is good, operating under the CMA-US banner provides three strategic advantages:

1. Ecclesiastical Covering: You aren't acting in isolation. You are part of a lay apostolate officially recognized by the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS). This gives your group legitimacy and spiritual alignment with your Archbishop.

2. The Rule of Life: Private groups often lose focus or fade when the mission gets busy. The CMA-US Rule provides a specific, proven spiritual 'battle rhythm' that keeps your squad anchored in sanctification and intercession.

3. Connectivity & Continuity: Military life is defined by the PCS cycle. Being part of the CMA-US network means you have a plan for your move. We help you find an existing squad at your next station or give you the tools to 'deploy' a new one immediately.

CMA-US doesn't replace the chapel; it extends it. While the chapel is your 'Garrison' home for the Sacraments, a CMA-US Squad or Chapter is your 'Tactical' presence in the motor pool, on the flight line, or in the shop. We provide the peer-led fraternity that sustains your faith in the environments where a chaplain might not be able to go. It's also important to recognize that not every military installation has a Catholic chapel community readily available. In such cases, the Catholic Military Apostolate of the United States (CMA-US) becomes even more crucial in filling the gap and providing essential support to Catholic service members. Here's how CMA-US differs:

• National Network and Nationwide Identity: CMA-US provides a national network of Catholic military personnel and their families, offering a sense of nationwide identity and belonging within the broader Catholic military community. This network allows you to connect with individuals serving in various branches of the military across the United States, regardless of whether your military installation has a Catholic chapel community.

• Reaching Young Service Members: CMA-US recognizes the importance of reaching young service members who may be seeking spiritual guidance and community support. Through targeted outreach efforts, innovative programs, and online platforms, CMA-US aims to engage and support young service members in their spiritual journey, even in areas where Catholic chapel communities may be limited or nonexistent.

• Portability and Continuity: For service members stationed at installations without a Catholic chapel community or for those who frequently move due to deployments or transfers, CMA-US offers portability and continuity of support. As a member of CMA-US, you can maintain your connection to the Catholic military community regardless of where your military service takes you, ensuring that you have access to spiritual resources and community support wherever you are stationed.

• Focused Mission and Resources: CMA-US is dedicated to promoting Catholic culture within the ranks of the U.S. military and supporting Catholic service members in sanctifying military life. This mission includes initiatives such as promoting devotions, offering spiritual resources tailored to military life, and advocating for the spiritual welfare of military personnel, including those serving in areas without a Catholic chapel community.

• Diverse Activities and Opportunities: In addition to providing essential spiritual support, CMA-US offers a diverse range of activities and opportunities for engagement. These may include online forums for discussion and prayer, spiritual retreats, service projects, educational resources, and opportunities for leadership development. By participating in these activities, service members can deepen their faith and build community connections, even in areas where Catholic chapel communities are limited.

CMA-US operates at two scales to ensure no Catholic serves alone. A Squad is a tactical unit of 3–7 members designed for rapid deployment and high spiritual intimacy. They meet in the 'gaps' of military life—coffee shops, dining halls, motor pools, gyms, barracks gazebos. A Chapter is a strategic hub of 8+ members (often a gathering of multiple Squads) that provides 'Garrison' stability, coordinates with installation chaplains, and ensures the apostolate survives the PCS cycle.

Joining the Catholic Military Apostolate of the United States (CMA-US) offers unique opportunities and benefits that complement your membership in the Knights of Columbus. Here are several reasons why you might consider becoming a member of CMA-US, even if you're already affiliated with the Knights of Columbus:

• Focused Mission: CMA-US is specifically dedicated to serving the needs of Catholic military men and women and their families. While the Knights of Columbus also engage in charitable works, CMA-US focuses its efforts on supporting Catholic servicemen and women in the sanctification of military life and promoting Catholic culture within the ranks of the U.S. military

• Military Community Support: As a member of CMA-US, you'll be part of a community of like-minded individuals who share a common bond of military service or a special interest in supporting those who serve. This community provides opportunities for fellowship, mutual support, and spiritual growth tailored to the unique challenges faced by military personnel and their families.

• Affiliation with the Archdiocese for the Military Services (AMS): CMA-US operates as a lay apostolate under the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services, signifying its official recognition and support within the Catholic Church's structure. By joining CMA-US, you'll be directly contributing to the Church's mission of serving military members and their families.

• Focused Programs and Resources: CMA-US offers programs and resources specifically designed to meet the spiritual and pastoral needs of military personnel. These may include online forums for discussion, prayer resources tailored to military life, support for sacramental preparation and catechesis, and opportunities for in-person fellowship at both local and national levels.

• Complementary Membership: Membership in CMA-US does not preclude or replace membership in other Catholic organizations such as the Knights of Columbus. Instead, it provides an additional avenue for you to live out your faith within the context of military service and to support your fellow Catholic service members in doing the same.

No, it does not cost anything to be a member of CMA-US. We believe in ensuring accessibility to our organization and its resources for all Catholic military personnel and their families, regardless of financial circumstances. Therefore, membership in CMA-US is completely free of charge.

Our commitment to keeping membership free is rooted in our mission to support and serve Catholic service members, promoting their spiritual growth and well-being within the military community. By removing financial barriers, we aim to encourage active participation and engagement among our members, fostering a vibrant and supportive Catholic community within the U.S. military.

While membership is free, we rely on the generosity of donations and annual appeals to sustain our operations and continue providing valuable resources and support to Catholic military personnel. If you find value in our mission and initiatives, we welcome and appreciate any contributions you may wish to make to support our work.

CMA-US is built for the move. Through our PCS PACE Plan, you notify the National Board 30 days prior to your move. We help you identify a successor for your current Squad and link you up with a community at your next duty station before you even sign into your new unit.

By joining CMA-US as an affiliate chapter, your existing Catholic group can continue its great work while becoming part of a national network specifically tailored to the needs of military communities. As a CMA-US chapter, your group will be easier for incoming military members to find, and your current members will know exactly what group to plug into if and when they transfer to a new duty station. You'll gain access to national resources, support from the Archdiocese for the Military Services (AMS), and a wider network of Catholic service members and veterans so that your members survive their inevitable PCS. This enhances your mission locally while contributing to a unified national effort to promote the Catholic faith within the U.S. military and help service members sanctify their military lives.

Starting a community is now low-friction. While a full Chapter requires finding a large group of people, coordination with the Chapel, and a bit of paperwork, you can deploy a Squad immediately with just 3 people. We provide the Squad Leader Activation Guide—a short tactical guide that handles the 'how-to' so you can focus on the mission. Stop waiting for a Chapter; find your three and start a Squad. 

There's basically NO PAPERWORK to start a Squad. We value mission over bureaucracy. Squad leaders just submit a simple, 3-sentence SITREP (Situation Report) once a quarter via WhatsApp or email. This keeps you linked to the National Board for prayer and resource support without the administrative bloat.

Our experienced board members are available to offer advice, answer questions, and address any concerns that may arise. For more information about starting a Squad or Chapter, visit our Start a Community page to find out more.

Serving on the National Board of Directors can a be a very rewarding experience and an excellent way to get more involved in the mission of CMA-US. If you feel called to serve as a volunteer at the national level you should check out the Meet Our Board page for a list of current openings and job descriptions. If one of those positions interests you, send an email to info@cma-us.org expressing your desire to apply and the board will respond with directions for applying.