Married deacons in the Catholic Church often face difficulties in reconciling the seemingly competing demands of family and Church. In striving to live out service to the People of God in two different sacraments, Matrimony and Holy Orders, often the first approach is to try to manage the demands according to predetermined priorities: “”Which one comes first?”” Yet, in this extended reflection Chaback completely reframes the question as one of integrated servanthood. Theologically profound, yet very pastoral in their practical approach, these essays help to explore the dynamic of living these two sacraments side-by-side, and indicate how the lived presence of Christ in the life of the deacon can shine forth as an integrated whole.
