Deacons Survey:
Deacons Survey
2025 Report
Summary
In September, 2026, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first ordinations of permanent deacons in the Archdiocese. On September 25, 1976, Auxiliary Bishop Daniel Pilarczyk ordained eleven men to the diaconate at Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Churh in Dayton. The following day, on September 26, 1976, Archbishop Joseph Bernardin ordained twenty-eight men at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains in Cincinnati. Since that first cohort of thirty-nine men in 1976, the Archdiocese has ordained 343 men to serve as deacons in our parishes, communities and the Archdiocese.
What is the ministry of the deacon in the Church? At its core, the deacon is a servant of the Church. The word “deacon” comes from the Greek diakonia, which means service.
Today, our deacons continue to fulfill the vocation of service to which they have been called through the three-fold ministry of the diaconate: ministry of the Word, ministry of the Liturgy, and ministry of Charity.
This report provides insights into the contributions that deacons, who serve only in a voluntary role, make to the life of the Church. The Archdiocese is honored to have these men serve as deacons. May we all offer our prayers to those who give of themselves so freely to share their faith and the Gospel with all of us.
The Permanent Diaconate
In the Archdiocese of Cincinnati
49%
Survey
Response
Rate
Service
3,983
Weekday
Masses
per year
6,607
Vigil & Sunday
Masses
per year
Ministry of The Word
The contributions of permanent deacons to the life of the Church are as diverse as the deacon population itself. While most permanent deacons are still employed at full-time careers to support themselves and their families, they generously give of their time and talents for the benefit of their Family of Parishes and beyond. Through their Ministry of the Word, deacons pray, preach, teach and serve as spiritual leaders in their communities.
Preaching
1,017
Weekday liturgies preached
per year
1,039
Sunday liturgies preached
per year
Educational And Instructional Ministries
Top Ministries
Marriage preparation
1,676 Hours
RCIA
1,142 Hours
Adult faith formation
1,036 Hours
Baptism preparation
606 Hours
Parish Education
479 Hours
Altar Server instruction
332 Hours
Other ministries include teen/high school ministry, baptism preparation, alter server instruction, miscellaneous parish education, EMHC instruction, lector instruction, and early childhood education
Ministry of The Liturgy
While a deacon is most visible during the celebration of the Mass, his liturgical ministry includes other sacramental and spiritual dimensions. Deacons function as ministers at baptisms, weddings, funeral services and many other areas of parish life, including the celebration of the Eucharist.
Prayers Services and Retreats - Family of Parishes
Ministry of Charity
A deacon’s service extends well beyond the church building itself, to include the full parish family and the broader community. The Ministry of Charity fulfills our Lord’s instruction “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature” (Mk 16:15). Deacons make significant contributions to the community in numerous areas for the benefit of God’s people.
Parish And Non Parish Based Ministries
Top Ministries
Distribution of Holy Communion to the homebound/nursing homes
3,421 Hours
St. Vincent de Paul
925 Hours
Food Pantry / Poor
879 Hours
Mentoring (giving)
715 Hours
Knights of Columbus
578 Hours
Prison ministry
565 Hours
Other ministries include spiritual direction (giving, not receiving),social justice/social action, ministry with domestic or worldwide missions, grief support ministry, pro-life ministry, recovery group ministry (alcohol, drugs, etc), scouting chaplaincy, and sports team chaplaincy
PARISH ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES - FAMILY OF PARISHES
Top Ministries
Sacristan
1,327 Hours
Annulments
1,131 Hours
Maintenance
539 Hours
Worship / Liturgy Committee
492 Hours
Mass Coordination
474 Hours
Family Leadership Team
437 Hours
Parish Council
435 Hours
Thank you to all the men serving
our diocese as permanent deacons!
Are you called to serve as a deacon?
- Review the information on the vocation of a deacon on the Diaconate page of the Archdiocesan website.
- Review the discernment information on the page “A Life of Service”.
- Pray earnestly about a possible vocation. Ask the Lord to open your heart to HIS will as opposed to your own desires.
- Talk to your spouse if you are married. Talk to other deacons and their spouses that you know.
- Contact the Office of the Diaconate of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. The Director will help you understand the discernment process and can guide you through the steps of the formation process.