A Light in the Night
To hope is to wait for something that has already been given to us: salvation in the eternal and infinite love of God, that love, that salvation, that gives flavor to our life and that constitutes the cornerstone on which the world remains standing…
To hope is to savor the wonder of being loved , sought, and desired by a God who did not hide in his impenetrable skies but became flesh and blood, history and days to share our fate.
Pope Francis
Center for Diaconal Formation
Part of Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology at Seton Hall University, the Center for Diaconal Formation was founded in 2010 to provide graduate-level formation, in person or online, in English or Spanish, for permanent diaconate candidates. Our program...
Preaching as Hospitality
Launched in 2023 with a grant from the Lilly Endowment, the Preaching as Hospitality initiative empowers preachers to grow in confidence while embodying the spirit of Christian hospitality. The program is directed by Father Dominic Ciriaco, D.Min., as a preaching...
New Video Series on the Diaconate
Diaconal Formation and Leadership Today announces a new video series on the diaconate hosted by Deacon Andrew Saunders, Co-director of the 4:12 Pathway for Pastoral Leadership with Deacon Ray Duplechain, Director of the Diaconate for the Archdiocese of New Orleans....
New Leadership Podcast Series
Diaconal Formation and Leadership Today announces a new podcast series hosted by Deacon Andrew Saunders, Co-Director of the 4:12 Pathway for Pastoral Leadership initiative at Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, Seton Hall University. The podcast series...
The Monstrance at the Old Ursuline Convent
While working on the strategic diaconate initiatives project of The 4:12 Pathways for Pastoral Leadership grant, I seized the opportunity to visit the Old Ursuline Convent located in the French Quarter of New Orleans. The Convent is one of the city’s most...
Deacon Ray Duplechain Featured in the Clarion Herald from the Archdiocese of New Orleans, LA
Duplechain was ordained as a permanent deacon in 1996, and he is now the director of the Archdiocesan Office of the Permanent Diaconate.
A Pilgrimage of Hope
Pope Francis designated the Holy Year 2025 as a time to renew ourselves as pilgrims of hope. Deacon Andy Saunders journeyed as a pilgrim to Rome during the Jubilee Year along with deacons from around the world. The following reflects his experience in Rome as A Pilgrim of Hope.
A Chance Encounter with a Former Student and the Future Pope
Deacon Andrew Saunders reflects on his chance encounter with a former student, Deacon Joe Stillo and the future Pope Leo XIV at Sant’ Andrea della Valle in Rome.
A Pilgrimage of Hope to Rome
In this video Deacon Andy Saunders reflects on his pilgrimage to Rome as part of the Jubilee Year of Hope declared by Pope Francis. To see the video, hear the podcast, or read the reflection click on the read more below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4iuZA4iwJk A...
A Deacon Pope – A Reflection on Pope Francis by Deacon Stephen Kern
Pope Francis was a deacon. Indeed, we could say that every pope is a deacon. The deacon is the lowest of the three orders of the sacrament of Holy Orders, with priest being the second order and bishop being the highest order. When you are ordained a deacon, we...
Statute of the Blessed Virgin Mother at Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology