RBWords - Volume 22 - Number 7: July 2009
Something to Think About
This past month of July I have had the experience of preaching two retreats to Aspirants and Candidates for the Permanent Diaconate in two different dioceses. Both retreats went well and I was impressed with the quality of the candidates and the programs of training. The programs are governed by a “directory” issued by the American Bishops in 2004 which conforms to an earlier document from the Vatican on this matter. One can sympathize with the men because the standards are close to those required for seminarians academically and the aspirants/candidates have to balance this with their family and career commitments. Particular emphasis is placed on the support and cooperation of their spouses. I came away with the impression that it’s a bit like studying for the priesthood on the weekends for 5 to 6 years.
According to a recent article in AMERICA MAGAZINE (July 20-27), the church in the United States has a little over half of the 31,000 Permanent Deacons worldwide. The restoration of the “order of deacon” by the Second Vatican Council was taken seriously and implemented quickly by the American hierarchy, which led to mixed results because there were no common standards. These things do take time and it looks as if some definite direction is developing in the vision of what a Permanent Deacon should be doing – given, of course, differences in culture, etc.
The fact that these deacons are married and living and working in the circumstances of their surrounding cultures gives them a unique opportunity. Surveys have shown that they are widely accepted by the Catholic public in the USA. Like priests, they come in all shapes and sizes and personalities. The men I preached to on these retreats take their calling very seriously. So do their wives and children. The decision to seek ordination to the Permanent Diaconate impacts the whole family. Since the Church has decided that this “order” is to be a part of the ministerial life of the Body of Christ – a ministry primarily of preaching, worship and service – we all owe them the same affirmation and challenge that we give any of our leaders in faith. IT’S SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.
It Has Been Said
“I have had a front-row seat for the great milestones of life and have shared in the worries and wonders and hopes of the people in the pews. I do not know most of their names, but they know me, and they know my wife, and they wave at us in the supermarket or stop us on the subway and go out of their way to say hello or how are you or thank you. I have been doing this for only two years, but already I’ve witnessed more miracles than I can count.”
From A DEACON’S LESSONS –Seven things they don’t teach you in formation.
By Deacon Greg Kandra in AMERICA MAGAZINE, July 20-27, 2009
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