The Vatican II document, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (1964), commonly known by its opening words, Lumen Gentium ("Light of All Nations"), has a great deal to say about the role of the laity by virtue of their baptismal call. Lumen Gentium starts with the revival of the concepts of the Church as mystery, a sacrament, and the People of God. Instead of dwelling on the structures and government of the Church, the document focuses on our call as a people united with one another and with God to bring about the reign of the Kingdom here on earth and in heaven.

Through their baptism, all the faithful are seen to have a common call to share in the mission of Christ. All are called to be priest, prophet, and king. All share in the common priesthood and the call to holiness based on love of God and love of neighbour. Within this general baptismal call, there are different roles and specific ways of living out the call—such as the ordained ministry, the laity, and religious. No particular way is seen to be better or more holy than others. Each part of the Church shares in the mission in its own way.

Lay people are shown to have their own vocation in their ordinary family and working lives. This reclaims the rightful place of lay members of the Church as among the People of God. Looking back at the early Church, we can see that the baptised belonged to a community that believed everyone had personal gifts which they could use for the benefit of the whole community and its mission.