Spiritual Fatherhood, Loneliness and the Structure of the Church
Anthony Lilles 1
An aspect of diaconal formation that requires attention is spiritual fatherhood. Oftentimes deacons are thrust into this role because of their age or life experience. If anyone has wounds of resentment toward father figures, the deacon will likely receive the brunt of it. Sometimes, he, too, suffers such misery in his own struggles with authority. Read More
Catechesis, Discipleship and the Diaconate
Deacon Bob Rice Comments Off on Catechesis, Discipleship and the Diaconate
Jesus told the apostles, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Mt 28:19-20). Reading this in English, one might assume the main verb is “go,” and the Read More
Blessings in the Search for Beauty
Teresa Tomeo Comments Off on Blessings in the Search for Beauty
During an annual retreat for deacons and their wives in our archdiocese, the presenters, a local Catholic psychologist and his wife, provided couples with practical tools for growing closer to God and closer to each other. This may sound like a familiar theme, or perhaps even suggestions from Captain Obvious, as there is plenty of Read More
Servant of the Epiclesis
Father Daniel Dozier Comments Off on Servant of the Epiclesis
Within the Divine Liturgy, there are many different kinds of prayer. One type of prayer, which is offered in nearly all of the sacramental mysteries in the Christian East, is a particular type of invocation to the Holy Spirit known as an epiclesis. This prayer involves the calling down of the Holy Spirit upon an Read More
The Necessity of Ongoing Formation in Preaching
Deacon Steve Kramer Comments Off on The Necessity of Ongoing Formation in Preaching
On Jan. 24, 2023, I sat down at my computer to begin writing this article concerning the necessity for ongoing formation in preaching. Within an hour, three people emailed me a copy of the Jan. 20, 2023, address of Pope Francis to participants in the course “Living Liturgical Action Fully.” Pope Francis emphasizes a very Read More
Deacons and the Weddings Outside of Mass
Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers Comments Off on Deacons and the Weddings Outside of Mass
I recently received an email from a brother deacon lamenting that, in his experience with marriages outside of Mass, deacons are able to receive the wedding vows and preach, but are prohibited by pastors from offering the nuptial blessing. Ideally, the order of marriage should be celebrated during Mass where a priest presides at both Read More
Ongoing Formation of the Heart
Deacon Joseph Michalak Comments Off on Ongoing Formation of the Heart
Beyond initial conversions, vocational discernments and major decisions, our hearts must cross several thresholds. Sometimes gradually, almost imperceptibly, only in light of hindsight might we see such. Sometimes with immediacy, even violently, at watershed moments in our life in Christ does it happen. Regardless, the effect is the same: some aspect of our life comes Read More
A Changeless Diaconate for a Changing World
Deacon Dominic Cerrato Comments Off on A Changeless Diaconate for a Changing World
It’s undeniable. Our culture has radically changed over the last 60 years, and, sadly, it’s not for the better. One of the ways to trace this downward trend is to look at the kinds of television shows that were produced from the 1960s to the present. As a kid, I remember watching shows like “Leave Read More