National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent ...
National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent ...
National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent ...
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The <strong>Ministry</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Life</strong> <strong>of</strong> Deacons 33Simplicity <strong>of</strong> <strong>Life</strong>64. Deacons are charged at ordination to shape a way <strong>of</strong> life Simple lifestylealways according to <strong>the</strong> example <strong>of</strong> Christ <strong>and</strong> to imitate Christ whocame not to be served but to serve. There<strong>for</strong>e, deacons are called toa simple lifestyle. Simplicity <strong>of</strong> life enables a cleric “to st<strong>and</strong> beside<strong>the</strong> underprivileged, to practice solidarity with <strong>the</strong>ir ef<strong>for</strong>ts to createa more just society, to be more sensitive <strong>and</strong> capable <strong>of</strong> underst<strong>and</strong>ing<strong>and</strong> discerning realities involving <strong>the</strong> economic <strong>and</strong> socialaspects <strong>of</strong> life, <strong>and</strong> to promote a preferential option <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> poor.” 56The prophetic significance <strong>of</strong> this lifestyle, “so urgently needed inaffluent <strong>and</strong> consumeristic societies,” 57 is its important witness inanimating <strong>the</strong> diakonia <strong>of</strong> every Christian to serve “especially thosewho are poor or in any way afflicted.” 58Pastoral Service65. As Pope John Paul II observed, “a deeply felt need in <strong>the</strong> Engaged in <strong>the</strong> worlddecision to reestablish <strong>the</strong> diaconate was <strong>and</strong> is that <strong>of</strong> a greater <strong>and</strong>more direct presence <strong>of</strong> Church ministers in <strong>the</strong> various spheressuch as family, work, school, etc., in addition to existing pastoralstructures.” 59 While trans<strong>for</strong>ming <strong>the</strong> world is <strong>the</strong> proper role <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>laity, <strong>the</strong> deacon—in communion with his bishop <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> diocesanpresbyterate—exhorts, consecrates, <strong>and</strong> guides <strong>the</strong> People <strong>of</strong> God inliving faithfully <strong>the</strong> communion <strong>and</strong> mission <strong>the</strong>y share in Christ,especially in making <strong>the</strong> Gospel visible in <strong>the</strong>ir daily lives through<strong>the</strong>ir concern <strong>for</strong> justice, peace, <strong>and</strong> respect <strong>for</strong> life. 60III. The Deacon in His State <strong>of</strong> <strong>Life</strong>The Married Deacon66. The majority <strong>of</strong> deacons in <strong>the</strong> United States are married. 61 Married love is a signThese men bring to <strong>the</strong> Sacrament <strong>of</strong> Holy Orders <strong>the</strong> gifts already <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> love <strong>of</strong> Christreceived <strong>and</strong> still being nurtured through <strong>the</strong>ir participation in <strong>the</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> ChurchSacrament <strong>of</strong> Matrimony. This sacrament sanctifies <strong>the</strong> love <strong>of</strong> husb<strong>and</strong>s<strong>and</strong> wives, making that love an efficacious sign <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> love <strong>of</strong>Christ <strong>for</strong> his Church. Marriage requires an “interpersonal giving <strong>of</strong>self, a mutual fidelity, a source <strong>of</strong> [<strong>and</strong> openness to] new life, [<strong>and</strong>]a support in times <strong>of</strong> joy <strong>and</strong> sorrow.” 62 Lived in faith, this ministrywithin <strong>the</strong> domestic Church is a sign to <strong>the</strong> entire Church <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>love <strong>of</strong> Christ. It <strong>for</strong>ms <strong>the</strong> basis <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> married deacon’s unique giftwithin <strong>the</strong> Church. 63
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