The 4:12 Pathway Initiative Launches Collaboration with the Permanent Diaconate of New Orleans

Deacon Andrew Saunders, co-director of the 4:12 Pathway for Pastoral Leadership initiative, visited the Crescent City recently to collaborate with Deacon Ray Duplechain, director of the permanent diaconate for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Their work together involved recording a series of videos on topics associated with the permanent diaconate. The videos will be featured in the new digital resource hub for deacon candidates, deacons and formators under the 4:12 Pathway grant.

Deacon Duplechain has served as a deacon for over 28 years and is a recognized national expert on the permanent diaconate. He was previously the chairman of the National Association of Diaconate Directors and, in 2018, was responsible for overseeing the 50th anniversary celebration of the restoration of the permanent diaconate in the United States, which was held in New Orleans. As a national leader, Deacon Duplechain attended the 4:12 Pathway diaconate “Real-Life Retreat” held in 2022 at St. Mary’s Abbey, Morristown and has subsequently provided valuable input in the development of the strategic diaconate initiatives under the grant.

Deacon Saunders notes, “I first had the pleasure of working with Deacon Duplechain when we served at the National Association of Diaconate Directors. We had a shared vision of a digital resource hub that could serve the diaconate community and formators. Our video interview series will interest those discerning a call to the diaconate, as well as candidates, deacons and formators, which will be a highlight of our digital hub.” The interviews were conducted at historical and religious locations significant to the diaconate and the City of New Orleans.

The first interview occurred at St. Mary’s Church, part of the Old Ursuline Convent in the French Quarter. The convent, built in 1752, is the oldest building in the Mississippi River Valley. The Ursuline nuns held the first Eucharistic procession in New Orleans in 1743. The monstrance located above the altar was used for the 1938 Eucharistic Congress. “It was fitting to have our series begin here with the magnificent monstrance overlooking us. It is the Eucharist that nourishes our diaconal ministry,” Deacon Saunders said.

The following day, interviews were conducted at the Madlyn and Paul Hilliard Research Library, which is located in the Hall of Democracy at the National World War II Museum. The seeds of the restoration of the permanent diaconate emerged during WWII from priests at the Nazi concentration camp Dachau. They had a vision the renewal of the Church would need married men in the image of Christ the Servant who could go into the nooks and crannies of society. Some of the priests who survived Dachau kept notes of their conversations, which were instrumental in the discussions leading up to the Second Vatican Council.

Also, while at the museum, Deacon Saunders visited the Faith in Wartime exhibit, which featured the story of four chaplains who, while aboard the Dorchester en route from New York to Greenland, gave their lives after a German U-boat sank the troop transport ship. As the ship was sinking, the chaplains gave their life vests to others. They each received the Distinguished Service Cross for their courage and self-sacrifice. One of the chaplains, Rev. John Washington, graduated from Seton Hall University and Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology.

The third production day took place in the sanctuary of the Basilica of St. Stephen, a magnificent minor basilica founded in 1867 and completed in 1888. The 200-foot spire, added in 1906, towers over the City of New Orleans. The basilica was chosen because of its connection to St. Stephen, who, through the laying of hands by the apostles in Acts 6:1-6, is the protodeacon and first martyr of the Church. The Basilica of St. Stephen is also connected to Seton Hall University through a shrine to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton located near the entrance.

Deacon Saunders concluded his visit to New Orleans by presenting at a formation event for deacon candidates and their wives. He spoke about the video series, digital resource hub and ongoing collaboration with the Archdiocese of New Orleans. The evening ended with an open discussion between formators, candidates and their wives about the one sole organic journey from inquiry to aspirancy, candidacy and post-ordination.

In their remarks, Deacon Saunders and Deacon Duplechain cautioned the attendees not to identify the diaconate ministry solely through what deacons can do or their skills and functions. Rather, the power of diaconate ministry is rooted in Christ the Servant. Deacons should be identified by who we are and who we are becoming—servants modeled after Christ. At the core, our ministry is about presence and being available to those in need.

Categories: Faith and Service