Diaconate

What is a Deacon?

In plain language, a Deacon is a man who is called to a ministry of service. Like Priests, and Bishops, he receives the Sacrament of Holy Orders. At the same time he is "one among us," a man who has been called forth to live the Christian life visibly. He is an ordained person living in the lifestyle of the laity.

The Deacon's service is threefold; service of the Word, service of the altar and service of charity. He usually serves the community in which he lives. Like Bishops and Priests, the Deacon is a member of the clergy, but he has a distinct role. Bishops, aided by Priests, preside over and govern the particular local churches. The role of the Deacon is to be a helper of Bishops and Priests in service to the People of God, proclaiming by his very life the Church's call to serve the needs of others.

Well over 90 percent of Deacons are married. Thus the typical Deacon attempts to balance three priorities in his life: the responsibility of Husband and father, his job or profession by which he earns a living or supplements retirement income and his ministry as an ordained Deacon. The springboard of service and spirituality for most Deacons is his lifelong commitment to his wife in the Sacrament of Matrimony. A number of Deacons are single men and widows.

Religious Life

"Today, as in all ages, there is no lack of generous souls ready to give up everyone and everything to embrace Christ and His Gospel, consecrating their existence to His service within communities characterized by enthusiasm, generosity and joy."
                                                                                                      ~ Pope Benedict XVI, February 17, 2008

For more information on the consecrated life for men and women in the  Catholic Church, please contact the Diocesan office at 727-345-3452 and http://www.spvocation.org/

Lay Pastoral Ministry Institute - LPMI

"God's People Doing God's Work"

The mission of the Lay Pastoral Ministry Institute is to provide an integrated lay ecclesial ministry formation program that will prepare the laity to offer their unique gifts in service to the local church. Responding to the implications of their baptismal commitment they will be better equipped to serve as competent leaders in the parishes of this culturally diverse diocese, ever mindful of their primary commitment to family life. In accordance with the teachings and tenets of the Roman Catholic Church, they serve as agents of evangelization and transformation in the society in which they live, as members of the Body of Christ, here in the Diocese of St. Petersburg.