Bishop John Noonan | Diocese of Orland website

Many Catholic deacons experience being mistaken for priests by parishioners after Mass. While some may try to clarify, others simply accept the greeting. One deacon recounted, “I do have children,” thinking to himself after being called "Father," and shared an anecdote about a parishioner who was surprised to learn that deacons are not lay people but clergy.

As the Diocese of Orlando enters another discernment period for men considering the permanent diaconate, there is an effort to clarify the role of deacons in the Church. “Deacons are clergy. Holy Orders in the Catholic Church are the sacrament by which men are ordained as bishop, priest or deacon. Each are ordained for a distinct ministry. Bishops are the direct successors of the apostles and ordained to be the shepherds of their local church. Priests assist the bishops in performing their pastoral ministry, and are entrusted with the celebration of the Eucharist, the administration of the sacraments, and spreading the Gospel. Deacons are ordained to the ministry of service, dedicated to the ministry of charity, and to assisting at the Eucharistic celebration, preaching and teaching, administering the Sacraments of Baptism and Marriage, and presiding at funeral services. Each of the three degrees of Holy Orders conveys a unique sacramental grace upon the ordained. Deacons are specifically configured in the person of Christ the Servant.”

Unlike many bishops or priests who often wear clerical clothing such as Roman collars, deacons’ attire can differ based on diocesan policy. In some dioceses across America about half allow deacons to wear clerics; others do not. The Diocese of Orlando does not permit its deacons to wear clerical garb regularly while working in secular employment or daily life outside liturgical settings.

Marriage is another area where permanent deacons differ from other clergy members: they may be married before ordination but cannot marry after ordination; if widowed after ordination they remain celibate. Financially, most permanent deacons provide for themselves through secular work rather than receiving support from their parishes or dioceses—serving as doctors, firefighters, accountants or businesspeople alongside their church duties.

“If a married deacon loses his wife, he may not remarry but is called to continue his life and ministry in a celibate state.” Another common misunderstanding about deacons is that while ordained ministers, “the Church does not take responsibility for their financial security.” Most parish duties performed by these men occur without pay as part of their vocational commitment: “Deacons are everything from firefighters to businessmen, doctors and accountants…Most of these duties…are done for free as part of [their] vocational responsibility…As a bishop once said: ‘Deacons are best deal in Church.’”

The call to become a permanent deacon is described as vocational rather than simply voluntary service later in life: “The vocational call to permanent diaconate is a call from God…Men who hear this calling…and have support…may apply for consideration…as young as 29…and as old as 59…the diocese does not ordain men before 35 or after 65.” Formation lasts six years during which discernment continues between candidate family members and church leaders.

Those interested in learning more about becoming a permanent deacon can attend upcoming Discernment Nights held throughout September at various parishes within the Diocese of Orlando. The diocese was established in 1968; it encompasses Brevard, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia counties with 79 parishes serving its community under Bishop James Noonan’s leadership.

“If you are a man who believes you may have a vocational call...consider attending one...Discernment Nights...Let us help you discern if God may be calling you…”