As part of the Holy Year 2025, the Church celebrated the Jubilee of Deacons, honoring the vital role of deacons in the life of the Church. The event, held this past weekend in Rome, drew approximately 6,000 pilgrims, including 4,000 deacons, who gathered to reflect on their vocation and mission in the service of charity, liturgy, and the Word.
Amongst those attending were four deacons from our diocese, joining deacons from over 100 countries worldwide. Deacons Jim Hannigan, Oliver Larkin and Brent Adonis and Tony Falcon were in Rome for the weekend. The deacons passed through the Holy Door at St Peters Basilica.
Pope Francis has previously emphasised the importance of the diaconate as a ministry of humble service, echoing the example of Christ, who came “not to be served, but to serve” (Mt 20:28). The Jubilee provided an opportunity for deacons, whether permanent or transitional, to renew their commitment to this calling.
The celebration featured moments of prayer, formation, and pilgrimage, culminating in the special Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica. The pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, Archbishop Rino Fisichella presided at Mass as Pope Francis continues to stay in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for bronchitis and pneumonia.
In addition to spiritual renewal, the event highlighted the growing significance of the diaconate in various pastoral settings, from parishes to missionary initiatives.
Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy, welcomed deacons worldwide, stating that their ministry is “a living sign of Christ’s presence among the poor and marginalized”.
The Jubilee of Deacons was part of the broader Holy Year 2025 celebrations under the theme Pilgrims of Hope, a time of renewal and grace for the entire Church. As the Church reflects on this momentous event, the faithful are encouraged to continue praying for all deacons, whose witness of service enriches the life of the Christian community.
Pictured L to R: Deacons Tony Falcon, Brent Adonis, Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik, Deacons Jim Hannigann and Oliver Larkin.
