Since the first permanent deacons were ordained in the Diocese of Portland in 1988, the permanent diaconate has become a vital part of the Church in Maine. There are currently 44 permanent deacons in the state, 32 of whom are actively serving.

In the early Church, deacons were considered the right-hand men of bishops, and today, many serve our priests and parishes in a similar way.

“A deacon shares in Christ’s saving mission and grace in a special way. Through ordination, the deacon takes on a unique sacramental character with an indelible mark as he becomes configured to Christ the Servant, who said, ‘But I am among you as one who serves’ (Lk22:27). In his ministry of diakonia, the deacon embodies the meaning of charity; he functions as a bridge between the people of God and His holy Church, and he is an icon or model of servanthood,” says Deacon Peter Bernier, OFS, MPS, director of ministerial services for the Diocese of Portland.

“As the pastor of a parish with three deacons (and another in formation), I marvel at and am grateful for the many ways in which they model Christ the Servant. They do this first and foremost by fulfilling their primary vocation as husbands and fathers; secondly, as active members of our parish community who preach the word of God, baptize infants, marry couples, pray for the deceased, and offer pastoral care and charity to those in need; and third, as a ‘bridge’ that reaches into those parts of our secular society that are not always easily accessible to the Church,” says Msgr. Andrew Dubois, pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Bangor.

To support the serving work of permanent deacons in the Diocese of Portland, an endowment was established by Msgr. Charles Murphy through the Catholic Foundation of Maine. Gifts to the endowment can be made in any amount and in many ways, for instance, through donations of cash, stocks, bonds, annuities, or property.

The endowment supports the Office of the Diaconate, which seeks to uplift deacons in their ministries, provide them with opportunities for spiritual growth and community building, and offer guidance to them, as well as to candidates preparing for the diaconate. Currently, 9 men are in formation.

If you would like to support the work of the permanent diaconate, donations can be made online at www.catholicfoundationmaine.org/online-giving.