Selfie of Deacon Stillo with then-Cardinal Prevost
As the white smoke cleared, the expectant world celebrated as American-born, Villanova-educated Cardinal Prevost emerged on the papal balcony as Pope Leo XIV.
I now reflect … on that moment as both surreal and sobering, considering that two months earlier, I had had a personal and blessed (and selfie- captured) encounter with the future successor of Peter, the Vicar of Christ.
I immediately tried to recall his words to us deacons. I couldn’t help but pray that this holy man would effectively navigate the challenges ahead and fill “the Shoes of the Fisherman” as a conduit for the Holy Spirit and love of Christ.
On Feb 21, 2025, at the kickoff to the Jubilee of Deacons in Rome at the Basilica di Sant’ Andrea della Valle, a few hundred English-speaking deacons were deeply honored to be welcomed by Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV. In his opening comments, Cardinal Prevost read from Acts 6, recounting the formation of the diaconate, emphasizing the need to allow space in our hearts for guidance by the Holy Spirit.
He shared his love for the diaconate and thanked us for our call to the multifaceted dimension of service in this unique and essential role whose mission remains vital to the life of the Church as renewed by Vatican II.
Cardinal Prevost said that Pope Francis reminded us, as an argument against clericalism, that no one can elevate themselves above the people of God but … consistent with the citadel Church, we should walk together, to listen to one another, and to search together for what it is the Lord passed to us, i.e. , a diaconal Church – a Church of service.
He (also) acknowledged the profound role of wives and families of deacons in supporting their sacred vocation.
As an Augustinian, he reminded us of the counsel of St. Augustine who stated that, in order to move forward with the spiritual life, we need to remember three things: first, be humble, second, be humble, and third, be humble.
“Without humility, we never move forward in our lives of faith, in our spiritual pathway, which for all of us leads us through the Church to the Lord,” he said. The profile of the deacon is to recognize the Lord in those who are in need of food, of love. He concluded, “You have already shown the Lord that you want to serve, that you have given your lives. Go forward with this with great generosity.”
Deacon Joseph V. Stillo serves as a deacon in St. Mark Parish, Sea Girt.