Special to The Message
In our diocese, there are currently 16 men in their third year of formation for the permanent diaconate. God-willing, they will be ordained in August 2026, and once ordained, they will join 62 other permanent deacons who serve our diocese. As we are now recruiting men for the next class of deacons who will begin their inquiry year in the fall, this is a good opportunity to look at this important ministry in the Church.
The word deacon is derived from the Greek word for servant. The diaconate has its origin in the Acts of the Apostles (6:1-6) with commissioning of the seven chosen men to serve the early Christian community. The Order of Deacons continued to flourish in the first centuries of the Church, with their main responsibilities being collecting alms and distributing them to the poor and needy and assisting at the Eucharist. However, over time, the diaconate came to be limited to celibate men as a step toward their priestly ordination. In 1967, the Holy See restored the practice of ordaining men to the permanent diaconate, including married men. Single men still make a promise to celibacy when they are ordained.
Deacons, both permanent and transitional (those preparing for priesthood), are configured to Christ the Servant, serving in works of charity, word and sacrament. While they have a primary responsibility for the Church’s outreach to those in need, they also may assist the priest at Mass, proclaim the Gospel, offer the homily, baptize, witness marriages, and preside at funeral services (not Masses) and burials. Yet, the role of a deacon is more than just functional. A deacon is called to incarnate Christ the Servant throughout his entire life, whether at home, at work, in the community or in the parish. His ministry of service should permeate and penetrate every aspect of his life as diakonia or service is part of who he is. In his ministry to others, he reveals Christ the Servant to the entire Church and the wider community. Deacons work closely with the priests and the bishop in fulfilling the mission of the Church in proclaiming the gospel, celebrating the sacraments and caring for the less fortunate.
The first deacons for the Evansville Diocese were ordained in 1977 and over these decades permanent deacons have ministered in parishes, hospitals, correction facilities and nursing homes, as well as various outreach ministries in our communities. We continue to need good and faithful men to continue this important work.
Men to be considered as candidates for the diaconate should be active in practicing and living their Catholic faith, have a strong personal prayer life, be leaders in their parish community, have a desire to serve, have an ability to work well with others, and be able and willing to commit to the academic, pastoral and theological formation required for ordination. During the four years of preparation (which begins after the inquiry year), candidates meet one weekend a month and have classes in various aspects of theology, canon law and pastoral skills, as well as spiritual formation.
The hope is that people will make the effort to approach men in their parish families or among friends who seem to have the necessary qualities to be a deacon and mention that to them. Likewise, I encourage men who have a great love for the Lord and a desire to serve His Church to discern with the help of the Holy Spirit whether the Lord might be calling you to pursue a vocation to the diaconate. The most important part of this discernment is listening for the voice of the Lord in quiet prayer. Often, we can best hear this guidance in Eucharistic Adoration. It is also good to speak with a deacon to learn more about his life and ministry as well as with your pastor. This all presumes, of course, honest conversation with your wife (for those married) and family, as the time and energy required during the years of formation and future diaconal will have a direct impact on them.
We invite men who may be discerning this vocation to contact Deacon Tom Evans by email at [email protected], Director of the Permanent Diaconate; or Deacon John McMullen by email at [email protected], Assistant Director, for more information.
Sts. Stephen and Lawrence, Patrons of Deacons — Pray for us.