Piety in the World
Deacon Anthony J. Clishem Comments Off on Piety in the World
If St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622) could have foreseen an audience that would include, 400 years later, those ordained to the permanent diaconate, it would have been interesting to note how he might have rearranged the “bouquet” (p. 1) of teachings presented in his book “Introduction to the Devout Life” (Noll Library, OSV, $29.95). A Read More
Who Is in Your Pews?
Deacon Steve Kramer Comments Off on Who Is in Your Pews?
As a preaching professor, one of my go-to documents when teaching homiletics is “Preaching in the Sunday Assembly: A Pastoral Commentary on ‘Fulfilled in Your Hearing,’ ” edited by James A. Wallace, CSSR. The beginning of the book starts not with Scripture, as one might assume, but with the importance of the people in the Read More
‘Go Out to All Nations’
Deacon Richard F. Hudzik Comments Off on ‘Go Out to All Nations’
These words are both an explanation of and an invitation to developing a ministry that broadcasts and instantiates the Good News of Jesus in a number of sites around the world. First, the explanation. It is a tautology to say that deacons are called to serve. That call to service is, in large measure, the Read More
The Wind in Our Sails
Deacon Robert T. Yerhot Comments Off on The Wind in Our Sails
God gives us three theological virtues at baptism: faith, hope and charity. Allow me to use an image to describe them. Life is a stormy sea, repeatedly challenging and threatening us. The ship, tossed to and fro in high waves, is faith, giving us buoyancy; as long as we have faith, we won’t sink. The Read More
Preaching Hope
Deacon Greg Kandra Comments Off on Preaching Hope
Without a doubt, it’s the most popular four-letter word in Catholicism right now. Hope. With the historic Holy Year upon us, we hear again and again references to the theme of this Jubilee, calling on all of us to be “pilgrims of hope.” That little word shows up in conferences, book titles, pamphlets and essays. Read More
Numbered Among the Levites
Deacon Stephen Fahrig Comments Off on Numbered Among the Levites
One of the most solemn and beautiful moments of the liturgical year occurs at the Easter Vigil when the Exsultet, or Easter Proclamation, is sung. Ideally it is chanted by a deacon, who implores the congregation to “invoke with me the mercy of God almighty … who has been pleased to number me, though unworthy, Read More
Living Redemptor Hominis
Deacon Dominic Cerrato Comments Off on Living Redemptor Hominis
In his first encyclical, Redemptor Hominis (“The Redeemer of Man”), Pope St. John Paul II offers a profound exploration of Christ’s pivotal role in human redemption and the mission of the Church. He challenges us to view Christ not merely as a figure from history, but as the vibrant core of the entire cosmos and Read More
Witnesses of Fidelity
Dr. Roland Millare Comments Off on Witnesses of Fidelity
On Oct. 2, 1974, Pope St. Paul VI said that the world “listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses” (Address to the Members of the Council for the Laity). Deacons are called to serve as evangelists and teachers of married couples Read More