Deacons: Deacons And Wives

Strengthened by sacramental grace, deacons are dedicated to the people of God, in communion with the bishop and his presbyterate, in the service of the liturgy, of the word and charity.   
                                                                                                         Vatican Council II

Dogmatic Constitution on the Church,

 Lumens Gentium,

 Chapter 3, Number 29

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 (A Deacon’s wife) also must be of good character and must not             
Gossip; (she) must be sober and honest in everything.”

                                              1 Timothy 3:11  

            A perfect wife—who can find her?

              She is far beyond the price of pearls.

            Her husband’s heart has confidence in her,

              from her he will derive no little profit.
           Advantage and not hurt she brings him
              all the days of her life.   
                                                                        Proverbs 31:10-12

Most deacons are married.  A deacon’s wife plays an important support role during his years of formation and after ordination.  So intimate is their partnership and unity in the sacrament of marriage, that the Church requires the wife’s consent before her husband can be ordained a permanent deacon.

One of the best opportunities to grow in her knowledge of the diaconate and its impact on her and her family is to participate in the formation program to the greatest extent possible.  At the same time, her own spiritual growth is enhanced.  After ordination, there are continuing opportunities available to the wives and widows, such as personal prayer, Scripture Study/Sharing Groups, participation in the ongoing Deacon Study Days, and Deacon, Wives and Widows Retreat.  These are all great opportunities for prayer, study, sharing hospitality and community building. 

In terms of official ministry, there is no specific role for the deacon’s wife.  The deacon’s ordination does not confer any ministerial role to the deacon’s wife.  Yet the unity of the deacon and his wife is a sign to the entire parish of the unity of Christ with his Church.  Many times the deacon’s wife serves the parish or local community in a concrete way herself.  After ordination, the deacon and his wife may work together in various ways to build up the kingdom of God.  The deacon and his wife can show how the obligations of family, work and ministry can be harmonized in the service of the Church’s mission.

ACTIVITIES

RESOURCES

  • Books

                 On Being a Deacon's Wife                by:  Martha Nelson

                 The Formation of Deacons' Wives  by:  Karen A. Harmeyer and
                                                                              Maria Thompson MacLaughlin

  • Videos

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Memoriam

Under Development

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Best Practices

Under Development

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