Deacon Joe Krzanowski, a certified airport chaplain, visits with agents at the American Airlines Baggage Office prior to the pandemic. Courtesy archive photos

Diakonia in Airports

A presence to serve travelers and uplift spirits

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As a deacon who serves as a chaplain at the Tampa-St. Petersburg Airport, I, Deacon Joseph Krzanowski, am privileged to meet many people who have various needs. I think back, for example, to a woman who was standing near the traveler’s aid window. She was with her son who was fast asleep.

As we talked, it became clear she was stranded in Tampa. Her son was playing soccer in Florida. They were scheduled to fly out of Orlando about 90 miles away. Their flight was canceled, and they were directed to go to Tampa for another flight. That flight was canceled as well. She had returned her rental car and had no money.

I was able to direct her to connect with the right resources for food and support and to get her to her final destination. I’ll never forget what she said: “I was praying to God for help, and you [an airport chaplain] showed up.” At that moment, I realized how grateful I was to have the opportunity to serve God’s people on the move as a deacon.

Religious Presence

Certainly, deacon-chaplains meet and help distressed people in the setting of an airport, but there are also many other forms of ministry and service. So often people are genuinely glad to see a religious presence in what can become the extremely stressful situation of air travel.

They want a prayer or a blessing. They may need a word of encouragement. Sometimes, people travel while in grief because a loved one has died, and they look for consolation. Frequently, an airport chaplain works not only with travelers but with airport workers who need support and encouragement in their complex and stressful positions. Sometimes, chaplains lead people to sacramental celebrations — for example, Mass celebrated in an airport chapel or the Sacrament of Penance.

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Patroness of Travelers

Our Lady of Loreto is the patroness of air travelers.

Our Lady of Loreto, pray for us and for all who travel.

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Airport chaplaincy cannot involve proselytizing. Airports are public spaces, and there is a history of difficulty with religious groups trying to recruit new believers in what must remain a religiously neutral spot. At the same time, in many ways that are often subtle, evangelization can take place. The evangelization of quiet witness and of charity and compassion is real and effective. That kind of evangelization can and does take place through chaplaincies.

Airport Chaplaincy

Airport chapels exist in many U.S. airports, although not all, and in many parts of the world. The first airport chapel in the United States was established by Cardinal Richard Cushing at Boston’s Logan International Airport in 1951.

The National Conference of Catholic Airport Chaplains (NCCAC), headquartered at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, was established in 1986 by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. It is a professional organization that exists to be a spiritual and theological resource whose purpose is to teach and witness to the word of God and to serve his people by fostering growth and renewal through prayer, study and Christian service for airport personnel and travelers. The NCCAC’s purpose is to provide support and intercommunication for all Catholics performing pastoral ministry to airport workers and travelers.

Papal Support

Pope Francis (and several of his predecessors) have place a priority on airport chaplaincy as an outreach of the Church’s mission. Pope Francis recently relocated airport-chaplaincy ministry within the newly formed Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

airport ministry
Deacon Joe talks with an airport representative at the Tampa International Airport in pre-COVID-19 times. Courtesy archive photo

Last year (June 10-13, 2019), the authors were privileged to join one of the periodic meetings of Catholic airport chaplains at the Vatican under the leadership of Cardinal Peter Turkson. This was the 17th International Seminar Dedicated to Civil Aviation Chaplains and Pastoral Agents. In addition to several presentations and an opportunity for chaplains to share experiences, the pope met with the group and offered enlightening and encouraging words.

Pope Francis told the assembled chaplains: “Millions of people of different nationalities, cultures, religions and languages daily cross paths with one another. Each has his or her own story, known only to God, with its joys and sorrows, its hopes and troubles. In this setting, you are called to bring the message and presence of Christ, who alone knows what lies hidden in the heart of each person, and to bring to everyone, whether Christian or not, the Good News of God’s tender love, hope and peace. How much peace can be sown with just a sign, a word, a look!”

Pope Francis added: “In airports, yours is primarily a presence of availability. You represent God’s ever-present love in an environment crowded with people at work or traveling for a variety of reasons. … You are present in their midst to offer, respectfully and discreetly, a chance for them to encounter the ‘now’ of God. For that one day, that single hour of transit, is unique and unrepeatable. You are creative in finding constantly new ways to show pastoral charity to all, whether managers, employees or passengers. Your witness, and the message you communicate in that particular moment, can leave a lifelong impression. Availability is itself a powerful form of witness.”

We left the meeting in Rome renewed and enthusiastic for serving as deacon-chaplains in an airport setting.

DEACON JOSEPH KRZANOWSKI, Ph.D., Tampa International Airport, and DEACON ALFRED MITCHELL, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, are both certified airport chaplains with the National Conference of Catholic Airport Chaplains. Deacon Krzanowski is professor emeritus at the College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, and Deacon Mitchell is director of storytelling, retreats and seminars, and director of deacon personnel in the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

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 Airport Ministry Resources

Considering airport diaconal ministry? Perhaps you might consider taking the initiative to invite your diocese to consider establishing this ministry if it does not yet exist.

For more information, a good resource is the National Conference of Catholic Airport Chaplains and their president, Father Michael Zaniolo, CAC, who serves at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago.

National Conference of Catholic Airport Chaplains
P.O. Box 66353
Chicago, IL 60666-0353
Phone: 773-686-2636
Email: office@nccac.us
Website: www.nccac.us

Another helpful resource from the NCCAC for understanding and launching this ministry is available in the book “Airport Chaplaincy: A Catholic Handbook” (The National Conference of Catholic Airport Chaplains, $11.95).

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