active in the world. Deacons are called to “persevere in the faith, firmly grounded, stable, and not
shifting from the hope of the Gospel that you heard, which has been preached to every creature
under heaven.” (Col 1:23 NABRE)
The permanent diaconate must share truly in the diakonia
of Christ. Deacon William T. Ditewig Ph. D., who is affectionately referred to as “triple D”
(Doctor Deacon Ditewig) by diaconate candidates, teaches that to understand the diaconate a
deacon must understand St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians.
If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any
compassion and mercy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united
in heart, thinking one thing. Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly
regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but
[also] everyone for those of others. Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in
Christ Jesus, Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God
something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in
human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to
death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the
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