The Ministry of Deacon

Restoration of the diaconate as a permanent order of ministry in the Church occurred as a result of the Second Vatican Council in the mid-60s. Pope Paul IV published new norms for the Diaconate in his Apostolic Letter, "Ad Pascendum."  Pope Paul VI described the deacon as "the interpreter of the needs and the desires of the Christian communities, and the sign or sacrament of Christ the Lord Himself who came not to be served but to serve."

The need for this new "servant role" prompted the bishops of the United States to petition the Holy See in 1968 for permission to restore the order of deacon as a permanent ministry. With the approval of Pope Paul VI, the bishops formed a committee to explore the parameters of the diaconate ministry.

Many dioceses established diaconal councils to develop guidelines for the selection and formation of deacon candidates. The first deacons in the United States not preparing for priesthood were ordained in 1971. As of 2013, there were more than 18,000 deacons in the United States, of which about 3,000 are retired.

If you think you may have a calling to become a deacon, see either Deacon Bob or Keith for questions you may have about the Order. You may also click the link below to connect to the Office of the Diaconate in the Diocese of Metuchen.