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Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough

Called to be a Deacon

Called to be a Deacon?

The call to the permanent diaconate is a distinct vocation to manifest Christ the Servant (Persona Christi Servi) in the church and the modern world. 
Symbols of the Permanent Diaconate in the Roman Catholic Church

Understanding the Identity: Persona Christi Servi

A permanent deacon is not a layman, nor is he a transitional step on the way to the priesthood. Through the Sacrament of Holy Orders, a deacon is permanently configured to Christ, who “came not to be served but to serve.”
While a priest acts Persona Christi Capitis (in the person of Christ the Head), a deacon acts Persona Christi Servi (in the person of Christ the Servant). This identity animates a threefold ministry:
  • Ministry of the Word: Proclaiming the Gospel, preaching, and teaching the Catholic faith.
  • Ministry of the Liturgy: Assisting the bishop and priests at the altar, administering Baptism, witnessing marriages, and presiding at funerals.
  • Ministry of Charity: Bringing the Church’s loving care to the poor, the sick, the imprisoned, and the marginalized.

The Dual Vocation: Marriage and Orders

The permanent diaconate is unique because it invites men to live out a dual vocation. If you are married, your first and primary sacrament remains Holy Matrimony.
A deacon’s wife and family are not passive bystanders; they are active partners in this journey. Discerning the diaconate requires the full, joyful consent of your wife, as your marriage becomes a vital witness to how ordained ministry and family life can enrich one another. Single men may also be called, committing to a life of celibacy upon ordination.

Signs of a Diaconal Vocation

Discernment is a process of testing whether your personal desires align with God’s will and the needs of the Church. You might be called to the diaconate if you recognize these signs in your life:
  • A deep, persistent desire to serve others without seeking recognition.
  • An active prayer life and a profound love for the Sacred Scriptures and the Eucharist.
  • Natural leadership abilities combined with a collaborative, humble spirit.
  • A history of involvement in parish ministries or charitable outreach.
  • Encouragement from your spouse, family, pastors, or fellow parishioners who see this gift in you.

The Path of Discernment and Formation

The journey from initial curiosity to ordination is a deliberate, supportive process divided into distinct dimensions:
  • Human Formation: Developing emotional maturity, healthy relationships, and the psychological readiness required for public ministry.
  • Spiritual Formation: Deepening your relationship with Christ through the Liturgy of the Hours, spiritual direction, and personal prayer.
  • Intellectual Formation: Engaging in systematic study of theology, scripture, Church history, and canon law.
  • Pastoral Formation: Gaining hands-on experience in parish leadership, hospital chaplaincy, prison ministry, and social outreach.

Next Steps on the Journey

If you feel the stirrings of Holy Orders in your heart, do not rush. Take these practical steps to begin your discernment:
  • Pray Continuously: Ask the Holy Spirit for clarity and the courage to follow God’s will.
  • Speak with Your Wife: If married, share your thoughts openly and listen to her perspective with an open heart.
  • Consult Your Pastor: Share your discernment with your parish priest to seek his spiritual guidance and blessing.

 

CALLED TO SERVE – Deacons in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough

To access a full-screen view of this video, please visit the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough YouTube channel.

Prayer to Know One’s Vocation

 

Lord, my God and my loving Father, you have made me to know you, to love you, to serve you, and thereby to find and to fulfill my deepest longings.  I know that you are in all things and that every path can lead to you.

But of them all, there is one especially by which you want me to come to you. Since I will do what you want of me, I pray you, send your Holy Spirit to me: into my mind, to show me what you want of me; into my heart, to give me the determination to do it, and to do it with all my love, with all my mind, and with all of my strength right to the end.  Jesus, I trust in you.  Amen.

 

“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord,

plans for your welfare and not for harm,

to give you a future with hope.  

Then when you call upon me

and come and pray to me, I will hear you.  

When you search for me, you will find me;

if you seek me with all your heart.”

(Jeremiah 29:11-13)

 

I would like to talk.

Deacon William (Bill) Radigan

Sure!  Please send an email to Deacon Bill Radigan.

Deacon Bill is the Director of the Diaconate Formation Program for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough, “Called to Serve.”