apostolate

[In Fr. apos to lat; Sp. & Port, apostolado; Ital. apos tola to; Lat. apos to lat us the office of an apostle.] 1. The office or dignity of an apostle. "Himself [St. Paul and his brethren in the apos tolate."-Killing beck: Serm., p. 118. 2. The office or dignity of the Pope, or, more rarely, of an ordinary bishop.