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‘Theosis’
Susan Kehoe Comments Off on ‘Theosis’
Christianity is a love story. A love story between God and humanity. Pope Benedict XVI taught that Christianity is a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. We are called to what the Orthodox call theosis — participation in the life of God. This means that we are called to be in intimate communion with the Holy Read More
The Ladder of the Spiritual Life
Father Daniel Dozier Comments Off on The Ladder of the Spiritual Life
In the Byzantine Divine Liturgy, the priest offers a prayer before the reading of the Gospel while the deacon is incensing the holy table and the faithful. In it, he prays, “Instill in us also the fear of Your blessed commandments, so that, having trampled all carnal passions, we may lead a spiritual life, both 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
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
A Trinitarian Perspective
Deacon Bob Yerhot Comments Off on A Trinitarian Perspective
The great revelation of the Incarnation was the Trinitarian nature of God. God had revealed himself as one throughout salvation history and in fullness of time. He further revealed he is three persons. Of this, all Christians agree and profess; in this, much can be understood about our own lives. Indeed, this central mystery of Read More
The Diaconate and the Collar
Deacon Dominic Cerrato 4
About 27 years ago, I was meeting with my bishop just prior to ordination. I would be the first permanent deacon ordained for the Diocese of Steubenville. Since no precedence had been set, I asked him whether I should wear clerics in the exercise of my ministry. In response, he asked me what I thought. Read More
Divine Grace and the Diaconate
Father Daniel Dozier Comments Off on Divine Grace and the Diaconate
In the Byzantine ordination rite of a deacon, the bishop places his omophorion (stole) and his right hand on his head and offers the following prayer: “Divine grace, which always cures the infirm and supplies what is wanting, ordains the devout subdeacon N., to the diaconate; therefore, let us pray for him that the grace Read More
Remembering to Remember
Teresa Tomeo Comments Off on Remembering to Remember
Given all that’s going on in our world and our Church, it can be easy for anyone in ministry to become discouraged and wonder if their efforts are making a difference. This can be especially challenging for deacon couples ministering at the parish and/or diocesan levels. Perhaps we’ve been working on a parish mission or Read More