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Mar 25th, 2025
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Joined: Nov 2001
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In reference to what Brother Neil said above about being selected, the more one delves into the deepened spirituality this entails - the less one feels that one is selected and the more that one is utterly sinful and unworthy!
Despondency is a sin. But there is a feeling that one is truly profane seeking to touch what is sacred. One must totally abandon any trust in oneself in order to completely rely on God's Grace.
Alex
Last edited by Orthodox Catholic; 09/27/14 08:42 PM.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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Prayers. God has a wonderful plan that we can't begin to comprehend until after it happens, sometimes YEARS after it happens.
Personally, I could not have envisioned what has occurred in my own vocation. Just have trust in the Holy Spirit, our Heavenly Mother, your patron saint and your guardian angel.
Fr Deacon Paul
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Dear Fr. Deacon,
I cannot thank you enough for your inspirational words!
Alex
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 26,405 Likes: 38
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Joined: Nov 2001
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Just a note to thank all those who have sent me word of their prayerful support - really quite overwhelming!
I think I'm only now beginning to learn how to pray and the real value of prayer.
Thank you, once again.
Alex
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 26,405 Likes: 38
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Dear Friends,
By way of update, I've made some progress and have been assigned a spiritual counselor whose role is to be a guide.
Had no idea about what this all entailed and am learning more as time goes by.
Will come back in a few months to report on how things are coming along.
Just a note to those on this Board who think that they might like to become subdeacons/deacons - don't hesitate, just move forward and see where God will take you!
You have nothing to lose and everything to gain from the experience - even if, at the end of it, you don't get ordained. God will lead you into another form of service to His Church where you will be needed.
Go for it!
Alex
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Joined: Jul 2007
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Hi Alex,
congratulations on your good news. I hope that your diaconate formation goes well. Please pray for me as I take the next step into the diaconate too.
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Thanks, for those words, Alex. I'll definitely move to take better heed
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 26,405 Likes: 38
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May God bless you both!!
How wonderful and exciting to hear what the Spirit is doing in your lives and how He is prompting you!!
You two have made my day!
Alex
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 26,405 Likes: 38
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Posts: 26,405 Likes: 38 |
For all those on this discussion board who are discerning their diaconal vocation - let us pray to the Lord!
Lord have mercy!
Alex
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 26,405 Likes: 38
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I ask for your continued prayerful support and also for those here who are likewise discerning a diaconal vocation.
May God richly bless His Church with good Deacons!!
Alex
Last edited by Orthodox Catholic; 12/10/14 11:03 AM.
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 26,405 Likes: 38
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Dear Friends,
Thank you for all your support. However, due to specific personal circumstances, I have withdrawn.
Thank you, once again.
Alex
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Joined: Apr 2009
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May God grant you dynamis to meet those challenges, patience in suffering, and (at least) a burning ember of your desire to serve Christ and His Church through the Diaconate.
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Dear Thomas the Seeker,
Thank you sir! I'm certainly open to it and will continue to be.
It is on hold now as a result of two heads banging together (not mine, happily).
I feel embarassed to continue with this thread because it is no longer an item . . .
I defer to the wisdom of the Moderators and the Administrator in this regard.
In Christ,
Alex
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John Member
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John Member
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Alex,
Prayers for your continued discernment of the Lord's will.
Per your request I will close this thread.
John
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