This afternoon I received the current issue of Deacon Digest (November 2014), the only national magazine dedicated to the ministry of deacons.  Every November issue is provided to every deacon and deacon candidate in the United States.  This year, Silas Henderson, the Managing Editor of the Digest, writes that this national distribution is not only a chance to connect with the diaconate and formation communities in the country; “it also gives us an opportunity to say ‘Thank you’ for the important ministry you are doing for and with the Church.”

Silas Henderson

This November’s issue is a double issue, with columns and articles by an impressive list of contributors, lay and clergy, on the theme of “Reflecting the Love of Christ the Servant.”  Included are: Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Bishop Richard B. Higgins, Fr. James Martin, SJ, Deacon Bill Ditewig, Sr. Honora Werner, OP, Mr. Jeff Cavins, Deacon Joseph Ferrari, Deacon Steve Swope, Deacon Kevin Bagley, Deacon Guadalupe Rodriguez, Deacon Louis Malfara, Bishop Robert Morneau, Patti Normile, Johanna Gurr with Marcia Romanansky, Cynthia Geisen, Elizabeth Boo, and Deacon Ralph Torrelli.

Deacon Sam Taub

The history behind this remarkable journal goes back decades.  Shortly after the diaconate was renewed in the United States, the Secretariat for the Diaconate at the national episcopal conference began publishing a quarterly journal.  Critical to that effort was Deacon Sam Taub who eventually headed the Secretariat for many years.  (Sam is a true pioneer of the diaconate in this country, and all of us serving today owe him an immeasurable debt. I hope to write much more about him in future entries.)  In 1984, as the diaconate continued to grow rapidly, Sam asked Mr. Jim Alt, a respected journalist and editor, if he would take over responsibility for a national journal, Jim agreed, and Deacon Digest was born.

Jim and Audrey Alt

Jim and his wife Audrey, joined by their daughters, edited and published the magazine until a couple of years ago when they “retired.” Although the Digest is now published by Abbey Press at St. Meinrad, Jim remains a very active editorial consultant to the magazine.

I can’t imagine there are many Catholic deacons out there who are not already subscribers to Deacon Digest, but if you want to find out more, please visit their website here.  You can also sample a lot of past articles at their online archive here.

Check it out!