By Erin Scherer
Outreach Coordinator
Catholic Funeral and Cemetery Services of Colorado (CFCS)
2024 marks the 50th Jubilee of the Permanent Diaconate here in the Archdiocese of Denver. Through preaching, service, worship and prayer, deacons serve the people of God in unique ways through their various ministries and lives. This article is one of a series of articles the Denver Catholic will publish in 2024 which will feature local deacons and/or a diaconal ministry. There are many Deacon Saints who were martyred for their faith. In this year of Jubilee, the deacons of the Archdiocese of Denver are asking for prayers through the intercession of Saint Euplius of Cantania, deacon and martyr. Learn more about this Deacon Saint here.
You have seen them in your parish and throughout the archdiocese, ministering in prisons, shelters, schools and even the cemetery, as they administer sacraments, teach, preach and accompany. They have a collar, but they are not priests!
Our deacons are faithful servants to their families, parishes and the community. According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, “Deacons are ordained as a sacramental sign to the Church and to the world of Christ, who came ‘to serve and not to be served.’”
Throughout the month of November, we are invited to remember and pray for the repose of the souls of those who have gone before us. We should not forget these faithful servants!
Beating the cold weather, several deacons and the family members of their deceased counterparts gathered at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery on a beautiful, sunny afternoon to participate in the fourth annual Deacon Memorial Mass at Gallagher Chapel, followed by a reception.
“The memorial Mass was a beautiful way for the body of Christ to embrace the passing of our Deacons and to pray their souls into God’s merciful embrace,” said Deacon Ernie Martinez, archdiocesan director of deacons.
While a Mass is celebrated for deceased deacons during the annual diaconate convocation, the families are not present. Seeing an opportunity to gather as a larger community, the Deacon Memorial Mass began in 2021 “to help the widows, children and grandchildren of the deceased deacons be supported and part of the diaconate community by honoring their husbands, fathers, and grandfathers,” explained Amy Vigil, the archdiocesan diaconate office’s coordinator.
“This Mass, celebrated by Vicar for Clergy, Father Angel Perez-Lopez, was also a comfort to their wives and loved ones who miss them dearly,” added Deacon Martinez. “We have lost seven deacons to their eternal reward this year alone, and with some of their widows present, the Mass and gathering after was a tangible way for our community to let the family members know that they are not forgotten, that they are still valuable members of the deacon community and Christ’s Church. This annual Mass and event are a ‘thank you’ to all deacons and their wives for their faithful service to God’s Church and his people. We ask all people to pray for our deacons: past, present and future.”
Those present appreciated this beautiful tribute, the opportunity to gather in prayer for the repose of the souls of their loved ones, and the reminder that they, too, will always remain a part of the diaconate community.
