Deacons and the Church

"Deacons and the Church is a comprehensive overview of the permanent diaconate that provides a unique combination of theological reflection, historical analysis, and pastoral problems and issues. Written by a permanent deacon, it sets as point of departure the restoration of the diaconate at Vatican II. From there, it follows the history of the diaconate from Jesus onward, pausing to consider to those who serve as stellar examples of deacons for deacons: Lawrence of Rome, Ephrem of Nisibis, Francis of Assisi, and Nicholas Ferrer of Little Gidding. He discusses the deacon and liturgy, reflects on the spirituality of the deacon, the dysfunctional deacon, and the interface between the sacraments of Holy Orders and Matrimony. With its one-of-a-kind combination of theological, historical, and pastoral emphasis, enhanced by the personal experience of the author, this book is a must-have for deacons and anyone interested in the diaconate.Owen F. Cummings