Permanent deacons are called to serve Jesus and His Church by offering hope to the poor, the lonely, the widowed, the orphaned and all marginalized in society, Washington Cardinal Robert W. McElroy said Oct. 25 to those serving in that ordained ministry.
“The call – and the grace that Christ gave you in that call – and the sacrifices you make means you are called to be the one who says, ‘don’t lose hope, don’t give up’,” Cardinal McElroy said.
“This is what the diaconate does. Always make sure no one is left behind,” the cardinal added.
Cardinal McElroy was the principal celebrant and homilist of a Mass to open the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington’s annual convocation for permanent deacons and their wives.
About 100 deacons, their wives and others attended the convocation Mass that was held at St. Jospeh Church in Largo, Maryland. Among the concelebrants of the Mass was Washington Auxiliary Bishop Roy E. Campbell, pastor of St. Joseph’s.
“You are called to be bearers of hope,” Cardinal McElroy told the assembled deacons. “You are called to be a witness of hope and joy through your work, through your presence, through your sacrifice.”
He urged the deacons “to be an image of Christ who emptied Himself. Be an image of Christ in a very powerful way to those who are lost.”
The cardinal told the deacons that “it is wonderful to be assembled with the diaconate community … (and) to celebrate the ministry given to you by Jesus Christ.”
He also told them that during his first six months as archbishop of here as he held orientation meetings with parish leaders throughout the archdiocese, he discovered that “the people in the parish appreciate your preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
“I give you my profound thanks,” Cardinal McElroy said. “I want to thank you today for all that you do. I give great thanks for your tireless sacrifices.”
During the Mass, among the prayers offered were those for ailing and recently deceased deacons and for deacons’ wives who make their own sacrifices in support of their husbands’ ministry.
After the Mass, the deacons and their wives gathered for a private dialogue with the cardinal. The convocation also included a discussion on issues related to promoting human dignity, panel discussions on ministry to immigrants and ministry to the sick and imprisoned, and a recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet.
Permanent deacons have served in the Archdiocese of Washington since 1971. Over the past nearly 55 years, almost 400 permanent deacons have been ordained to minister in this archdiocese. Right now, there are about 150 permanent deacons who serve the faithful of the Archdiocese of Washington, and there are currently 15 men in formation to become deacons.
Also, ‘Come and See’ meetings at several parishes throughout the archdiocese will start up in January through March of 2026 for those discerning the diaconate.
