Diakonia of Charity and Justice
In the prayer of conse
cration at a deacon’s ordination, the bishop calls down the Holy Spirit upon the candidate and asks God that the new deacon may “excel in every virtue: in love that is sincere, in concern for the sick and the poor, in unassuming authority, in self-discipline and in holiness of life.” The deacon’s service or diakonia of charity and justice can assume a variety of ministries: direct or indirect service of the poor and those in need in religious or secular charitable activities; Christian formation and teaching or Church administration. Across the country, deacons work in homeless shelters and soup kitchens, do outreach to new immigrants and migrants, serve on boards and coalitions that advocate for the poor and the vulnerable, teach in catechist formation programs and serve as chaplains in prisons, hospitals and nursing homes. Deacons also exercise their ministry of charity and justice by serving in pastoral or administrative roles on the parish or diocesan level.
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