Permanent Deacons: Announcing the Good News outside of the church walls

BY DEACON MICHAEL MANTZ Contributor

“ Preach the Gospel at all times; when necessary, use words.” These are compelling words of St. Francis of Assisi, who was also a deacon. His memorable expression is a fitting motto of all ordained to the Order of Deacon.

Most of our deacons are men who are employed outside of the “church walls,” so to speak. They not only have jobs and careers, but they are committed to their families who depend on them to not only provide basic needs like food, shelter, clothing and love but also are depended upon to offer comfort, guidance, and a sense of living the gospel values of Jesus Christ.

I once had a diaconate candidate struggling to reconcile his employment, which at times was competitive and merciless with being a candidate for holy orders. He thought he was “unworthy” of such an honorable sacrament. I told him that none of us are worthy and that God takes us even with all our imperfections and molds us. Look at St. Peter, our first pope; when Jesus called him, he said, “Lord, leave me for I am a sinful man.”

I then asked him, “Why not bring Christianity to your profession?” I also told him to pray with his spouse about their calling to diakonia. After praying, he decided to pursue his candidacy for Holy Orders. Not only was he one of our better candidates, but he has also been an outstanding deacon for the last ten years. He takes his Diaconate wherever he finds himself. In other words, he brings the church to the world.

T his makes me think of our Blessed Mother after the Annunciation. Mary traveled in haste to the hill country to visit her cousin. Mary brought Jesus, the church, to the outside world. Elizabeth cried, Hail full of Grace, and the baby leaped for joy in her womb. The baby who leaped in his Mother’s womb in the presence of Jesus became his herald, St. John the Baptist. Through it all, Mary never faltered in bringing Jesus to us all.

Deacons have both a unique opportunity and responsibility to bring the Church to the outside world. Like St. John the Baptist, deacons need to become heralds for Jesus to the world outside of the church walls. Like our Blessed Mother, deacons need to bring the church to the outside world. Deacons are entrusted to bring Gospel values wherever they may find themselves.

The Order of Deacon was restored as a permanent order in the church because of the Second Vatican Council. The diaconate completes the three clerical orders in today’s church: episcopate, presbyterate and diaconate. The deacon is called through Holy Orders to build up the Body of Christ through a three-pronged ministry of The Word, Sacrament and Charity. Deacons are ordained for the ministry of service.

However, the concept of a “service ministry” can sometimes be somewhat of a nebulous concept. Let me quote our Holy Father Pope Francis as he addresses the concept of the service of deacons: “Let us remember, please, that for the disciples of Jesus, to love is to serve and to serve is to reign. Power lies in service, not in anything else, and as you have recalled what I say that deacons are the custodians of service in the Church.”

So how does a deacon bring this service ministry to the world outside the walls of the church? How is this ministry of Word, sacrament, and charity brought to the world?

St. Stephen, widely known as the first Christian martyr, was also the first deacon mentioned in Acts Chapter 6 when he is described as “Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit.” Stephen was chosen as one of the first deacons to assist the Apostles with the works of charity to the community. But Stephen soon became filled with the Holy Spirit and began to preach the good news of Jesus Christ, witnessing his beliefs even in front of the same power that had put Jesus to death.

D eacons can draw inspiration from St.

Stephen. They can witness the faith wherever they find themselves, whether in the workplace, grocery store, behind the wheel of a vehicle, or out at a restaurant.

If a deacon lives his faith, people will soon recognize him as someone who offers Christ as an alternative to a world that can be harsh and unforgiving. I have had deacons who lead prayers at public meetings and some who have even instituted some form of prayer before meetings at the workplace.

For example, my ordination had a large contingency of office personnel from a local government office. I was amazed and overjoyed that so many of my employees were present on that very happy day for me and my family. They were very respectful and, on some level, understood that this was not simply an honorary title but something that marked my identity.

Therefore being “Deacon” was not a title or job for just doing things at church. Deacon was a way of being and not something that can be put on and taken off like a hat or coat.

I conducted more diaconate ministry outside of the church walls or church offices than I ever imagined I would. It was inevitable that after my ordination, coworkers began to open up to me about their lives, struggles and challenges. Many times, it led me to invite them to Sunday Mass. There were also many discussions about baptisms, spiritual advising and wedding preparations. I also carried out my service ministry in funeral services for their loved ones and even had a conversion where I sponsored someone entering our faith community.

My ministry outside of the church walls has made me realize why my holy orders were to the ministry of service. The diaconate compliments and completes the three sacred orders in the church of bishop, priest and deacon.