Category Archives: Deacons

Quote for the Day

“Perhaps, in a dramatic way, the deacon is called to the charism of tenderness in the life of the Church.” — Cardinal Timothy Dolan

Posted in Deacons | Comments Off on Quote for the Day

Through the Eyes of a Deacon

Accepting is one thing, embracing is another. In order for a deacon to thrive in ministry and in life, he needs not only to be accepted but also embraced in his ministries. What I often hear from brother deacons is … Continue reading

Posted in Deacons | Comments Off on Through the Eyes of a Deacon

Covert Euthanasia

The manner in which we care for our elderly, especially in health care, is something about which I get rather passionate. Most of my extended family have heard me go on a heated monologue about the manner in which the … Continue reading

Posted in Deacons, Ethics and Morality, Health Care, Pope Francis, Social Doctrine of the Church | Comments Off on Covert Euthanasia

A Deacon’s Relationship with the Blood of Christ

I have been asked on more than one occasion why deacons are related to the chalice, i.e., to the Blood of Christ. This is signified at Mass when the deacon elevates the chalice during the doxology, and when he preferentially … Continue reading

Posted in Deacons, Sacraments | Comments Off on A Deacon’s Relationship with the Blood of Christ

Deacon Bob’s Homily for 2nd Saturday of Lent, Cycle C

I offered this homily at a  Day of Reflection given to all deacons and wives of the Diocese of Winona. The Gospel was on the Prodigal Son. I have only the text to share. Saturday, 2nd Week of Lent, Cycle C March … Continue reading

Posted in Deacons, homilies | Comments Off on Deacon Bob’s Homily for 2nd Saturday of Lent, Cycle C

“He is possessed by Beelzebul!”

We heard in the Gospel for today’s Mass the scribes uttering, “He is possessed by Beelzebul.” Jesus, in response, asks the question whether Satan can long stand if his house is divided. In other words, Jesus points out that he, … Continue reading

Posted in Christology, Deacons, Dogmatic Theology, Evangelization | Comments Off on “He is possessed by Beelzebul!”

Attention Deacons! The Feast of St. Vincent, deacon and martyr

Tomorrow is the memorial of the martyr and deacon St. Vincent. Most of what we know about this deacon comes from the poet Prudentius. St. Augustine delivered a sermon about the deacon Vincent and drew from the Acts Vincent in doing so. What … Continue reading

Posted in Church History, Deacons | Comments Off on Attention Deacons! The Feast of St. Vincent, deacon and martyr

The deacon: Servant of the New Evangelization

I will be conducting a retreat for the diaconal community of the Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin in February centered on the New Evangelization and the Transmission of the Faith. Please pray as I prepare. With that in my mind … Continue reading

Posted in Deacons, Evangelization | 1 Comment

Mary’s Greatness Lay in Her Fidelity to God’s Word

I will deliver this homily to the diaconal community in the Winona diocese as we gathered for an Advent Day of Reflection. The Mass will be a votive Mass in honor of our Blessed Mother. Homily for Advent Day of … Continue reading

Posted in Deacons, homilies, Mary | Comments Off on Mary’s Greatness Lay in Her Fidelity to God’s Word

The Discipleship of Mary, Mother of God

I have been stuck thinking about what St. Augustine said a few days ago in the second reading in the Office of Readings on the memorial of the Presentation of Mary. If you recall, he said that Mary saw her … Continue reading

Posted in Blessed Virigin, Deacons, Spirituality | Comments Off on The Discipleship of Mary, Mother of God

Diaconal Spirituality and Marriage

I wrote a post many months ago on the spirituality of the diaconate and marriage. My point was that there was a dynamic tension between the ontologic change that occurs in the deacon by virtue of his ordination and the precendential graces … Continue reading

Posted in Deacons, Marriage and Family, Spirituality | Comments Off on Diaconal Spirituality and Marriage

New Statistics on Permanent Deacons in the World

Every year, in view of World Mission Day celebrated this year on October 21, Fides News Service publishes statistics that describe the Church’s missionary activities throughout the world. Included in those statistics is information about permanent deacons. Catholics number 1,195,671,000 … Continue reading

Posted in Church News, Deacons | Comments Off on New Statistics on Permanent Deacons in the World

The Hidden Ministry of the Deacon

I want to thank a brother deacon, Scott Dodge from Salt Lake City (www.scottdodge.blogspot.com) for sparking my thoughts on this topic. He has a splendid post today of the ministry of the deacon written by a guest blogger, Deacon Norb over … Continue reading

Posted in Deacons | Comments Off on The Hidden Ministry of the Deacon

Diaconal Suffering

A good meditation for deacons on suffering is to place yourself next to St. Stephen as we find him in the Scriptures. In a nearby church in the apse over the sanctuary is a fresco of the martyrdom of St. … Continue reading

Posted in Deacons, Spirituality | 2 Comments

Our Lady of Sorrows and Diaconal Suffering

Today’s memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows — that is our Lady’s spiritual martyrdom, as St. Bernard writes — brings back to mind a theme I have been pondering for many months. The deacon’s relationship with suffering seems central to … Continue reading

Posted in Blessed Virigin, Deacons, Spirituality | Comments Off on Our Lady of Sorrows and Diaconal Suffering