SW News: The Archdiocese of Chicago in the US, which has the largest diaconate community in the world, will be further blessed with 20 new permanent deacons this month. They will be ordained on May 14 in the Cathedral of the Holy Name during Holy Mass presided over by Cardinal Blasé Cupich. Unlike transitional deacons who are later ordained as priests, those opting for permanent diaconate remain deacons for life.

The diaconal ordination Mass will begin at 10 am local time and it will be live-streamed on the diocesan YouTube website. The new permanent deacons will be assigned to various parishes in the archdiocese to carry out a range of pastoral duties. In a communique, Cardinal Cupich quoted Pope Francis who said “deacons are the guardians of service in the Church and they serve the people of God with humility and joy and see Jesus in everyone, especially the poor and needy, the indigent and the withdrawn.” He also expressed gratitude to the men who are willing to minister faithfully to their communities with the support of their wives.

The duties of these deacons include assisting the bishop and his priests in preaching the Word of God, assisting in the liturgy, and helping the poor. They are also tasked with proclaiming the Gospel, preparing the altar, distributing Holy Communion, officiating at baptisms, leading the believers in prayer, conducting marriages, and presiding over wake and funeral services.

Men aspiring to be permanent deacons attend a full-fledged four-year program at the Institute for Diaconal Studies or the Institute de Liderazgo Pastoral (for Spanish speakers) located in the University of Saint Mary of the Lake in Mundelein. The course has the mandate of both the Vatican and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. A year-long parish pastoral ministry internship is also included in it.

As per Church discipline, both single as well as married men can be ordained as permanent deacons. However, those who are single should make a commitment to celibacy. Permanent deacons often work outside the church in addition to their diaconal ministry.

The Archdiocese of Chicago has the largest Catholic diaconate fraternity with 514 active deacons serving in 210 parishes and agencies. As many as 1,464 men have been ordained as permanent deacons since 1972. Active, retired, and inacti