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The Deacon

Serving deacons as they serve the Church

Fatherhood

A Man for All Deacons

Deacon Al Derivan Comments Off on A Man for All Deacons

My ordination as a deacon in 1988 marked the beginning of a profound and joyous journey. The years that followed have been a whirlwind of activity, but every moment of my diaconate, filled with joy and productivity, is a treasure I wouldn’t exchange for anything in the world. As a deacon, I find immense joy Read More

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

Spiritual Fatherhood of Deacons

Father Deacon Daniel G. Dozier 1

“Father Deacon? No, that can’t be right.” Recently I saw this comment in an online discussion regarding the title “Father Deacon” before my name. For many Catholics in the Western tradition, the use of the appellation “Father” seems counterintuitive. Isn’t that title reserved exclusively for priests? The Old Testament recounts two main periods of priestly Read More