The Heart of the Diaconate: Communion with the Servant Mysteries of Christ

by James Keating

The Heart of the Diaconate assesses the character and future role of the diaconate in a Church that is experiencing major transitions in immigration, evangelization, family life, moral sensibilities, and clerical formation.

Genres: Catholic

96 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2015

Reviews

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is essential for any Catholic man discerning a call to the permanent diaconate, and will challenge many preconceptions, beliefs, and assumptions about what that call entails. Likewise for lay readers, seculars, and the intellectually curious, this book is a short but intense deep dive into the concept of the "servant mysteries of Christ," or servant leadership if one prefers. It expounds on the Catholic Christian understanding of charity and service, and in particular blows the common perception of a permanent deacon as "some retired guy who helps out at Mass" completely out of the water. Like many truly deep philosophical and spiritual works, the shorter it is, the longer it takes to read. My one criticism is the repetitiveness of some sections, which is an artifact of their prior publication in shorter form elsewhere, but it does serve to drive home the seriousness of the discussion. Highly recommended.

[Moses · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Unique Perspective

I loved the perspective of a Deacon.
The highs & lows of the diaconate are real and prepare the reader for what's to come.
Most of all, I enjoyed the idea that this isn't about being a social worker or a humanitarian. It's deeper, bigger, and more important than that.

[Andy Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous

Jim Keating writes like he knows what he's talking about because he does. This is short and can be extremely valuable for any man considering the Diaconate, both those starting formation and I was thinking about it.

[David S. Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise and thought provoking

This book opens up what it means to be called the Permanent Diaconate. It is addressed to both those in discernment and those charged with the formal formation process.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read

This is a must read for those discerning a vocation to the permanent diaconate in the Cburch. James Keating really gets this right and compels one to think about the vocation in ways that haven't been heard.

[Bob Ayres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! A short but powerful primer on the ministry of the Diaconate.

[Mark Einselen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. I read this during my postulancy. It's recommended for anyone considering ordination or looking to deepen their understanding of their vocation.

[Father Brice Higginbotham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Master spiritual director and holy Deacon Jim Keating writes a beautiful work on the configuration of the deacon to Christ the Servant through the subjective appropriation of the Sacramental Graces given him by constantly drinking from the open side of Jesus to whom he is configured by the wound of the Sacramental Character which Jesus himself has imparted to him. This work, while presenting nothing new, gets to the heart of living ordained service in God's Church. And while some may debate a few points of diaconal theology, no one can rightly debate Dcn. Keating's approach to the heart of the matter which, unsurprisingly is the Heart of the Father revealed in the Sacred Heart of Jesus and accessed through his wounded side. This getting to the mystical heart of things is Dcn. Keating's forte and again he does not disappoint.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

A meditative discussion of the diaconate - focusing on the call to recognize the mercy of God in our lives. I must read this again.