You came to serve, not be served.
Those are the first lines of the diaconate prayer for the Diocese of Camden. But it is more than just a line – it is the meaning of what a deacon is called to do. We are called to serve others and walk with them on their journeys through life and bring them hope. My calling to the diaconate was formed in my calling to serve and assist others.
In the Bible, the diaconate was formed in the Acts of the Apostles, 6:1-6, when seven men of good repute were called forth to be servants to the people. These seven men were called because the presbyters were unable to serve the needs of the community. As a result, the apostles created the deacon to serve the people of God and bring hope to those in need. Vatican II restored the sacred Order of Deacons when the council asked deacons to be servants to the people, the bishop and the parish while also maintaining a life of prayer, humility and sacrifice.
My journey to the diaconate started like many others I know. I got that tap on the shoulder from a deacon who said, “Have you ever thought about becoming a deacon?” As usual, the answer at first is always a resounding, “no.” One might say he is too busy, or does not feel worthy to serve God and His people. For me, working full time with a spouse who also works full time while we raise two daughters, my first answer was, “no.”
However, it created a spark in me to discern what it is that the Lord is calling me to do. As a public defender, I was already serving my community. Was the Lord calling me for more – and did he see something in me that I perhaps did not even see in myself?
One day, I was in a holding cell talking to a client who did not believe he could succeed in recovering from substance abuse. We chatted about how he could complete an inpatient recovery program, though he did not think it possible. This client had already left two programs and had given up on recovery. He had no faith in himself. I said I believed in him and so did the court. Ultimately, he made the choice to give recovery a chance and not go to state prison.
When I left court that day, I thought about what had just happened and said, “The Lord was with me today, and I want to become a deacon and a servant of the Lord.” That client succeeded in his recovery and now lives a sober lifestyle.
Fast-forward to Oct. 4, 2025, and the Mass of Ordination to the permanent diaconate. As I lie prostrate during the Litany of the Saints, the emotions of how I got there, the sacrifices of those who helped in my journey, and how I was called by God made an even deeper impact on me. Becoming a deacon is not only about service to others; it also entails accompanying people on their faith journeys and giving them a sense of hope. This is accomplished through the various ministries I have become involved in during my short time as a deacon.
It involves bringing Communion to those in a nursing home and talking to them about life and their faith and how the reception of the Eucharist strengthens them. It involves teaching OCIA to young adults, especially of one young man I know who is converting from Islam and seeing how the Lord is guiding him in his faith journey. It involves baptizing young children and seeing the joy on the faces of their parents. It involves walking with a parishioner who is hurting from seeing her spouse dying.
Are you someone who seeks to serve others and journey with them in their faith? Perhaps the Lord is calling you to become a deacon.
For more information, contact the diocesan Diaconate Office at 856-583-2858, or email charles.schiapelli@camdendiocese.org or david.harkins@camdendiocese.org.
Deacon Louis J. Presenza Jr. serves at Mary, Mother of Mercy Parish, Glassboro.
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