Deacons
The ‘Other’ Patron Saint for Deacons
Deacon Greg Kandra Comments Off on The ‘Other’ Patron Saint for Deacons
It happens every year during ordination season. Newly ordained deacons receive gifts from family and friends — nicely wrapped boxes that contain stoles, medals, statues, icons or prayer cards depicting one of the two great saints of the diaconate, St. Stephen or St. Lawrence. Once in a while, someone might also share an image of Read More
Why Be a Pilgrimage Guide?
Carlos Briceño Comments Off on Why Be a Pilgrimage Guide?
A pilgrimage often becomes the perfect opportunity for deacons to grow as spiritual leaders. Their preparation to act as pilgrimage guides — which involves much prayer and a deep dive into increasing their knowledge of the saints and history connected to the sacred sites to be visited — helps them to embody the spirit of Read More
Custodians of Service
Deacon Dominic Cerrato Comments Off on Custodians of Service
In over 40 years of pastoral ministry, on both the parish and diocesan levels, it became apparent early on of the importance of the relationship between the clergy and the laity. The various documents and decrees following the Second Vatican Council acknowledged and promoted the laity in assuming a more active role in the life Read More
The Deacon Experience at the National Eucharistic Congress
Deacon Dominic Cerrato Comments Off on The Deacon Experience at the National Eucharistic Congress
The National Eucharistic Congress stands as a pivotal event in the Catholic Church’s journey through a three-year Eucharistic revival. This initiative, which began in 2022, endeavors to rejuvenate the Church by reigniting a vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ in the holy Eucharist. This revival unfolds in three distinct phases: diocesan revival, parish revival and missionary Read More
A Eucharistic Congress Experience Just for Deacons
Deacon Omar F.A. Gutiérrez Comments Off on A Eucharistic Congress Experience Just for Deacons
I recently read Holly Ordway’s 2014 book “Not God’s Type” (Ignatius, $16.95) about her conversion to the Catholic faith from virulent atheism. She wrote that, while an atheist, she believed herself to be a certain kind of person: smart, rational and informed. She was and is all of those things, but she presumed that these Read More
I Thirst!
Deacon Robert T. Yerhot Comments Off on I Thirst!
As a spiritual director, I often ask my deacon directees, “What is your deepest desire in prayer?” Invariably, what I hear in response is a longing for greater intimacy with God and not knowing what impedes their spiritual growth. Deacons in spiritual direction long to be with God in prayer and to find him in Read More
Deacons and Racial Justice
Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers Comments Off on Deacons and Racial Justice
In July 2020, the Vatican Congregation for the Clergy issued an instruction on ”the pastoral conversion of the parish community in the service of the evangelizing mission of the Church. In it, Pope Francis outlines a simple theology of diaconal service in the parish, clarifying the specific role of deacons and their characteristic gift of Read More
Animators of Charisms in Worship and Life
Father Daniel Dozier Comments Off on Animators of Charisms in Worship and Life
One of the prominent features of the deacon in the Eucharistic liturgy in every Christian tradition — Eastern or Western — is his use of particular phrases, sometimes called petitions or commands. In the Byzantine tradition, these sound like: “It is time for the Lord to act! Reverend Father, give the blessing!”; “Let us pray Read More