Learning to be Quick to Listen

The Office of the Deacon is, at its very core, a living icon of Christ the Servant in the heart of the world. Rooted in the Greek word diakonia , meaning service, the diaconate is not merely a stepping stone or an administrative function, but a profound configuration to Jesus, who came "not to be served, but to serve." When a deacon steps onto the altar, prostrates himself in prayer, and assists at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass , he is carrying the burdens, the prayers, and the daily struggles of the parish community directly to the Lord. This liturgical service, however, is meant to overflow past the church doors. The deacon bridges the sacred space of the sanctuary with the dusty roads of ordinary life, showing us that our devotion to God is intrinsically tied to how we tend to His people. To serve God through the diaconate is to seek out Christ in the margins —in the lonely, the sick, the marginalized, and the searching. It is a dual ministry where serving at the Table of...

In a world that often feels fractured and overwhelming, the Corporal Works of Mercy , as outlined by Jesus in the Bible , offer a powerful pathway to a life of profound goodness and genuine freedom. These acts – feeding the hungry , giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless , visiting the sick, visiting prisoners, and burying the dead – are not mere suggestions, but invitations to participate actively in God's compassionate plan for humanity . By choosing to engage in these tangible acts of service, we step outside of ourselves and our own concerns, fostering a deeper connection with our neighbors and, in turn, with the divine. This outward focus, paradoxically, liberates us from the self-centeredness and anxieties that can often shackle our spirits, allowing us to experience the joy and fulfillment that come from living a life of purpose. Embracing the Corporal Works of Mercy also cultivates a sense of true freedom, not just for those we serve, but f...

Today marks a momentous occasion for the Diocese of Baton Rouge as Deacons Huy Tran and Josh Zelden are ordained to the priesthood at the Cathedral of St. Joseph . This sacred Rite of Ordination is far more than a ceremonial event; it is a profound sacramental act, where, through the laying on of hands by the Bishop and the consecratory prayer, a gift of the Holy Spirit is conferred, enabling them to exercise a "sacred power" in the person of Christ the Head (CCC 1538, 1548). As the Catholic Ordination book describes, the liturgy itself is rich in symbolism, from the calling of the candidates and their public promises of obedience, to their humble prostration during the Litany of the Saints, signifying their complete surrender to God's will. This day is the culmination of years of formation, prayer, and discernment, preparing them to serve God's people in a unique and indispensable way. The priesthood, as described by St. Jean Vianney , the Curé of Ars, is a subl...

In a historic moment for the Roman Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago has been elected as Pope Leo XIV, marking the first time an American has ascended to the papacy. Pope Leo XIV has deep ties to Peru, where he spent over two decades working as a missionary and bishop. He is also known for his pastoral experience, commitment to social justice, and advocacy for workers' rights. He selected the name Leo to evoke Pope Leo XIII, famed for his pro-worker stance. Pope Leo XIV's deep roots in the Augustinian Order further shape his vision for the Church. As a former Prior General of the Augustinians, he brings a commitment to communal living, humility, and service. His tenure in Peru, where he served as Archbishop of Chiclayo, reflects his dedication to missionary work and social justice. His leadership style emphasizes synodality and inclusivity , aligning with the Augustinian ethos of unity and shared purpose. Pope Leo XIV has articulated a traditional ...

Father Manuel Ruiz López and his seven companions, the brothers Francis, Mooti, and Raphael Massabki, Father Joseph Allamano, Sister Marie Leonie Paradis, and Sister Elena Guerra, canonized by Pope Francis on Sunday, each exemplified heroic virtue and bore witness to holiness within their unique vocations. As the Pope noted in his homily at the Canonization Mass in St. Peter’s Square on World Mission Sunday, “These new saints lived Jesus’ way: service.” “The faith and the apostolate they carried out did not feed their worldly desires and hunger for power but, on the contrary, they made themselves servants of their brothers and sisters, creative in doing the good, steadfast in difficulties and generous to the end,” he said. The Pope noted that their witness invites Christians to heed Jesus’ invitation to serve, not to seek glory. ‘Are you able to drink the cup that I drink?’  Taking his cue from the Gospel passage from Mark, he invited Christians to contemplate the profound questio...

A national confraternity of Catholic priests and deacons has released an app that offers moral principles for Catholics to learn about and use before voting this November. The Confraternity of Catholic Clergy explained in a press release about the new app: “Although there are several important issues voters need to consider when electing political leaders, the fundamental right to life is the foundational issue.” On the app’s website, there is a page on the right to life, which emphasizes that abortion, euthanasia, genocide, terrorism, human cloning, and research on human embryos are all intrinsic evils. The other webpages on the site focus on the topics of religious liberty, economy, and immigration. As CatholicVote previously reported, the Catholic bishops of Colorado recently issued a list on what values need to be prioritized when voting. The bishops put the sanctity of life as the primary value. The Confraternity of Catholic Clergy’s new app can be downloaded onto smartphones, ta...

"Rushing" to open the diaconate to women in the Catholic Church would short-circuit a necessary reflection on the relationship between ordained ministry and charismatic leadership, particularly as it impacts the participation of women in the church, said the head of the Vatican's doctrinal office. On the question of women deacons, "we know the public position of the pope , who does not consider the question mature," Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, told members of the Synod of Bishops Oct. 2. "The opportunity for a deepening remains open, but in the mind of the Holy Father, there are other issues still to be deepened and resolved before rushing to speak of a possible diaconate for some women," he said. "Otherwise, the diaconate becomes a kind of consolation for some women, and the most decisive question of the participation of women in the church remains unanswered."  After the first as...