We are excited to announce a new project called Discerning Deacons, which engages Catholics in the discernment of our Church about women and the diaconate.
To learn about ways to get involved, visit https://discerningdeacons.org/.
Feast of St. Phoebe Prayer Service
Our virtual liturgy on September 3rd was joined by over 500 participants, with over 1,000 registering as interested. You are welcome to view the prayer service above. Click here to learn more about our worship leaders and witnesses.
We are Catholics who
embrace the ministry of deacons,
witness the gifts of women for this ministry,
hope that our Church receives these women.
I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a minister (diakonos) of the church at Cenchreae, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the holy ones.”
St. Paul, letter to the Romans, 16:1-2a
Through the intercession of St. Phoebe, we pray for the ministry of deacons, for the papal commission on the female diaconate, and for the church to again receive women as ordained deacons.
The Synod of Bishops on the Amazon
“The majority of bishops [at the Amazon Synod] were in favor of admitting women to the permanent diaconate…. My hope would be that they would find a pathway to make that a reality. And I think there’s a good possibility that’s the direction it’s going.”
Bishop Robert W. McElroy of San Diego
“I pick up the challenge. A glove has been thrown down. The women have put up a sign: ‘Please listen to us. May we be heard.’ And I pick up that gauntlet.”
Pope Francis
Pope Francis responds to the synod’s request to share their “experiences and reflections” with the papal commission on the female diaconate.
Ancient and medieval liturgies document
women were ordained as deacons
by their bishops within the sanctuary
during Mass, in the presence of the clergy
through the imposition of hands
by the invocation of the Holy Spirit;
they self-communicated from the chalice;
the bishop placed the stole around their necks.
These women were called deacons.
Deacons minister the diakonia of the
Word, liturgy, and charity to the people of God.
Celebrating the Feast of St. Phoebe 