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Permanent Diaconate
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A Vital Vocation in the Life of the Church
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The Permanent Diaconate is one of the Church’s most treasured and essential vocations. Restored by the Second Vatican Council, the diaconate embodies Christ the Servant and strengthens the mission of the Church in powerful, practical, and deeply pastoral ways.
Permanent deacons—men ordained not to priesthood but to a lifelong ministry of service—stand at the heart of parish and community life throughout the Diocese of Portland. They bring the compassion of the Gospel into places where it is needed most, offering a unique and irreplaceable witness of faith, charity, and hope.
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What Is a Deacon?
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Deacons proclaim the Gospel at Mass, preach homilies, and teach the faith. Through their words and personal witness, they help others encounter Christ in the living Word of God
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At the altar, deacons assist the bishop and priests, serve as ordinary ministers of the Eucharist and Baptism, witness marriages, preside at funeral rites, and lead the community in prayer—including the Liturgy of the Hours. Their liturgical role flows directly from their service to God’s people and is a visible reminder of their vocation to charity.
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Deacons are often the first to see and respond to the needs of the community. They serve in countless settings: parishes, hospitals, prisons, nursing homes, shelters, recovery programs, and social‑service outreach. Wherever people are suffering or forgotten, deacons bring the compassion of the Church.
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A Vocation Rooted in IdentityA deacon’s identity is not defined by tasks but by who he is: an ordained servant of the Church. Having received the Sacrament of Holy Orders, deacons share in the mission of the bishop and work in harmony with priests to build up the Body of Christ throughout the Diocese of Portland. Deacons are, in a real sense, the eyes, ears, hands, and heart of the bishop—extending his pastoral care to every corner of the diocese. Whether in a parish, a soup kitchen, a classroom, or a correctional facility, a deacon brings the presence of Christ to the people he serves.
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A Ministry That Touches Every Part of LifeThe call to the diaconate is profound and far‑reaching. Deacons do not only serve on Sundays—they bring the Gospel into workplaces, families, and communities every day. Their vocation is a bridge between the hierarchy and the laity; between the Church and the world; between liturgy and life.
For a list of permanent deacons currently serving in active ministry in the diocese, see the deacon directory.
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Contact
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Director of Ministerial Services
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