What Was It The Deacon Stephen Died For?

Today, as we celebrate the feast of the Deacon Stephen, we remember the Great News for which he died. Here  is a video, available on Juan Andre's YouTube Channel, about the birth of that Good News.

It begins by quoting the Christian Creation Story.

I send you my Christmas Greetings and pray that your family is experiencing the Joy this good News deserves and is opening to the gifts offered by the God who came among us, most valuable of which is the offer to adopt you and I into an eternal family. Joy to you, beloved brothers and sisters, throughout the Christmas Season which has now begun.

More Pope Benedict Pictures

This photo show Pope Benedict on his way from the Pope-Mobile to the altar area in Nationals Stadium last thursday. You can clearly see the two deacons leading the way.

The ordination of permenant deacons was revived by Vatican II and Pope Paul VI and Deacons are now numerous in many areas of the world. Some America diocese now have more deacons serving the church than they have presbyters (priests).

You can read the biblical beginnings of the Order of Deacon in Chapter Six of the Book of Acts.