The Deacon Experience

Are you interested in becoming a deacon of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington? Come and See the Deacon Experience through the galleries below! Click here to learn more about our formation program.

Baptisms

Deacons are ordinary ministers of Baptism, often working to prepare parents and godparents for the sacrament.

Baptism Confirmation — Deacon Rafael Pagán baptizing children at St. Catherine Labouré

Deacons at Baptism — Just as when a child is anointed with the Sacred Chrism at Baptism as “priest, prophet, and king” so too are deacons ministers in three integral manifestations: Sacrament, Word, and Charity, representing that baptismal call in action.

Weddings

Deacons can assist in helping couples with marriage preparation and deacons can officiate at weddings.

Marriage Preparation Program — In weddings, deacons preach to the couple and the assembly to guide them in the new role in life as spouses oriented toward the good of each other, and to be an example to the world of Christ’s love for the Church.

Deacons and Weddings — In witnessing the exchange of vows, deacons ensure the matrimonial ceremony is administered correctly and with joy, imparting to all in attendance the importance of the sacrament and the vocation of marriage.

Family

Deacons live and work in the secular world as family men, whether married or celibate. Deacons who are married to their family bring an integral connection to the Church.

Vanessa and Deacon Thomas Molineaux, parishioners at Ascension in Bowie, and Paul Mason, from St. Pius X in Bowie, volunteer by cooking breakfast for the homeless at So Others May Eat.

Deacon at Navy Football Game — Deacon candidates and their wives (and one daughter) enjoy fellowship outside of studies at the Navy football game, organized by Capt. Tom Trudell, USN, Retired, and HM1 James Flagg, II, USN, Retired. All throughout formation, the bonds formed between classmates in classes and social events help strengthen their fellowship and continues after ordination.

Deacon Francis Bendel and his wife Isabel at a parish function.

Deacon Raul Calvo and his wife Christine on his ordination day. Wives support deacons through candidacy and in ministry, and have to give their assent for a man to enter formation and to be ordained.

If a deacon is married with young children, the model of dad and deacon can lead to further vocations in the Church. Deacon Keith Somerville, pictured here with his wife Karen and daughter Karlena, should know, as he is the son of a deacon, and nephew of two deacons. Karlena Somerville was chosen, along with three other young students from Catholic schools, to give flowers to Pope Francis when His Holiness arrived in the United States at Andrews Air Force Base in September 2015, months after her father was ordained.

Retreats

An important part of a deacon’s spiritual life is a yearly retreat, which starts in formation with a retreat, and annual retreats for candidates and wives throughout formation. A man called to Holy Orders is required to go on retreat for five days prior to ordination, and yearly thereafter, as well as see a spiritual director regularly. As deacons, we come together at least twice a year on retreats open to deacons, wives, and widows, and deacons and wives often also go on silent retreats or pilgrimages as part of their ongoing spiritual journey.

retreat-picture-april_-2018 — Loyola-on-the-Potomac

Workshops

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington provides seminars and workshops to Deacons for Spiritual growth and learning.

Deacons with Other Clergy

During Mass a Deacon may assist the bishop and priests. Deacons may proclaim the Gospel, announce the General Intercessions, and distribute Communion, preside at the Liturgy of the Hours, baptize, witness and bless marriages, and preside at funeral liturgies among many other duties.

Bishops Deacons Clergy — Deacon Steve Nash and Bishop Campbell

Learn more about our Formation Program

For more information and/or questions contact: Deacon Charles Huber
Assistant Director of Formation
[email protected]