Catholic deacons from around the world are gathering in Rome this weekend for the Jubilee of Deacons, a celebration of their ministry.
Deacons are ordained ministers of the Catholic Church who receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders. They can baptize, preach during Mass, and officiate weddings. But unlike priests, they can not consecrate the Eucharist, hear confessions, or administer the sacraments of Confirmation or Anointing of the Sick. Some deacons are transitional, meaning they are on their way to ordination as priests. Others are permanent, meaning they won't be ordained priests, but will live their lives in diaconal service. Unlike priests (for the most part), permanent deacons can be married.
Many deacons found professional success in secular fields before answering the call to serve the Church as deacons. In honor of the Jubilee of Deacons, let’s hear the stories of several men who are secular business leaders and Legatus members as well as deacons.
“Seek God’s will, not your own”
Deacon Frank Mercardante worked over 50 years in the financial services industry and was ordained a deacon in 1987. He was quick to say that all Catholic men are called to live like Christ, whether or not they are deacons.
“A man can, and should, be dedicated to witnessing the faith, ordained or not,” he told Aleteia.
Long before he became a deacon, he tried his best to represent the teachings of Christ and his Church in the workplace. He said:
Over the course of my career as a bank CEO, I managed staffs as small as 50 and as large as 1,000 people. My staff knew who I was and what I stood for. Many would come to me in confidence to discuss their personal challenges, regardless of their religious affiliation. Even clients would come to me for prayer and guidance. In my office there was always a crucifix and a Bible to remind me and them who and what I stood for.
When he began discerning a call to the diaconate, his first step was talking to his wife and parish priest. He offered this advice to anyone considering becoming a deacon:
Pray, consult, and pray some more! Seek God’s will, not your own. Get confirmation from your spouse, pastor, and others who know you well. In the end, be satisfied with whatever God reveals to you.
“I am blessed to live in two worlds”
Deacon Andy Zucaro is the founder and president of a manufacturing company and was ordained a deacon in 2016. He pointed out that deacons can enter places where other members of the clergy typically would not go:
As a deacon, I am blessed to live in two worlds. I live in the secular world and at the same time I am part of the clergy. This unique position allows me to bridge both, bringing the message of Christ into places where a priest may not be present. My experience in business provides me with valuable skills and resources that I can use to help build the Church in practical ways.
One example of bridging both worlds is Zucaro’s involvement in starting the lay apostolate Holy Family Farm.
He offered this advice to men discerning a vocation, especially if they come from the professional world:
In prayerful silence, listen for the voice of the Lord. If He is calling you, trust in His plan. When the doors begin to open, say yes and follow where He leads. Remember the words of Christ: “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you…” Surrender to His will, and He will guide you on this journey.
Zucaro mentioned that he’s found it helpful to be involved with Legatus, an international organization of Catholic business leaders and executives, who commit to study, live, and spread the Catholic faith. He said:
My vocation influences how I approach my work — with humility and a desire for service. Legatus helps me make connections with other Catholic business leaders who are also bridging their professional and diaconate life.
“It’s not what a deacon does, but who a deacon is”
Deacon Rob Joseph has worked in the music industry for over 25 years and was ordained a deacon in 2008. He traveled to Rome for the Jubilee of Deacons.
He found that following Christ can call for a different kind of thinking than that which helped him succeed professionally. He said:
As a business owner, I'm used to making things happen. The discernment process, however, required me to surrender to God's will. When I became anxious, nothing happened. But not surprisingly, clarity and progress came when I surrendered my will to the Lord.
Like Zucaro, he is amazed at the places he can go and people he can reach as a clergy member working in the secular world:
Not long after I was ordained, my business went through a critical downturn that I wasn’t sure we would survive. Through that experience, I experienced God’s provision and grace in a powerful way. As a deacon, it is remarkable the times I’ve been able to offer personal testimony and authentically minister to those going through similar challenges.
Similar to the role of husband or father, being a deacon is a vocation. You don’t turn it on and off. There’s a wonderful saying: “It’s not what a Deacon does, but who a deacon is.” It took me a number of years to appreciate that and each year I understand more what it really means.
He finds that being a secular business leader helps his service as a deacon:
In both roles, I've learned that true leadership is about serving others with humility. The principles of servant leadership, entrepreneurship, negotiation, and ethical decision-making are vital in both my business and diaconal ministries.
