Click here to watch the film.

The films in this series about Vocation are accessible to anyone who has a SycamorePlus subscription.

If you do not yet have a subscription, please subscribe here, or visit our SycamorePlus page to find out more.

If you already have a subscription but are not logged in, please login to your account here.

 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

8A

Do you know any permanent deacons from your parish or elsewhere? What is your experience of their ministry?

What other roles are there in your parish for ministry and service? Can you think of some individuals or groups who help in your parish in different ways – in church or in the wider community?

What other ideas or questions strike you from this part of the film?

 

8B

What could help your parish to be a more loving and welcoming Christian community?

Is there anything you could do personally to help the life of the parish? How could you take this forward?

What are the hidden needs of your local community? How could you or the parish do something to make a difference?

What other ideas or questions strike you from this part of the film?

 

KEY IDEAS FROM THE FILM

Deacons, priests and bishops all share in Holy Orders, but in different ways. The permanent diaconate is a specific vocation, for adult men, sometimes married, sometimes single. (A “transitional deacon” is on the way to priesthood; a “permanent deacon” is called to be a deacon for life.)

A deacon’s ministry has three main areas. First, service at the altar: assisting at Mass, baptising, witnessing marriages, preaching, sometimes leading funerals. Second, service of the Word: preaching and teaching the faith, leading people in prayer. Third, service of charity: reaching out to those in material or spiritual need, especially those on the margins, and helping the Church itself to notice and care for them. A deacon is meant to be, in a very concrete way, a living sign of Christ the Servant.

Many permanent deacons serve in their own parish. Some serve in prisons, hospitals, schools, or with the homeless. Many continue in secular jobs: teaching, healthcare, social work, business, manual work. Their whole life becomes a channel of grace for the Church.

If you’re a married man considering the diaconate, this is crucial: you discern it with your wife. It’s not a private project. Your marriage is already a sacramental vocation; the diaconate, if it is right, should grow out of and enrich that vocation, not undermine it. If you’re single, you need to be ready to make a lifelong promise of celibacy at ordination.

What are some signs that God might be calling you to the permanent diaconate?

A genuine sense of calling. You feel drawn to this ministry of service. You notice deacons and something in their life speaks to you. You feel a tug when you read Scripture or pray about serving the Church in a more committed way.

A stable, supportive marriage (if married). No marriage is perfect, but your marriage is fundamentally healthy, faithful, communicative. You and your wife can talk about this openly. She’s supportive. You can imagine formation and ministry not tearing your family apart, but becoming part of your shared mission.

A real love for the Catholic faith. You’re not casually Catholic. The faith matters to you. You value the sacraments. You want to grow in understanding. You want to share that faith with others, not just keep it to yourself.

A habit of prayer. You try to pray, even in the midst of work and family life. Prayer is not just an idea for you; it’s something you actually turn to.

A life of service already. You’re not starting from zero. You’re already involved in parish life, outreach, visiting the sick, catechesis, charitable work. You’ve shown that you can give of your time and energy for others.

Human maturity. You’re emotionally stable, trustworthy, able to work with others, able to lead when asked. You’re capable of handling responsibility without drama.

Encouragement from others. People in the parish, or your priest, have quietly said, “Have you thought about the diaconate?” Your parish priest’s support is especially important. The Church’s discernment matters here.

Understanding celibacy. If you’re single, you will be promising lifelong celibacy at ordination. If you’re married, you will promise that if your wife dies before you, you will not remarry. This is serious. You need to face it honestly and freely.

The permanent diaconate is a beautiful vocation. It stands as a reminder that the Church is called to serve, especially where the Church is most needed and least present. If some of these signs resonate with you, speak to your parish priest or the diocesan director for deacons. Ask questions. Pray. Be open. Trust that if this is the path God is offering, he will give you the grace to follow it.

[This is an AI generated summary of the film script]