April 18, 2008

An explanation of the deacon’s logo for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis

The deacon's logo for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.

The deacon's logo for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.

By Fr. Bede Cisco, O.S.B.

This symbol for the deacons of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis was proposed by Kerry Blandford, a member of the first deacon class, and finalized by Ann Sternberg, art director for the archdiocese.

It is patterned on the archdiocesan logo, which features a Romanesque window divided into four panes by a cross.

Three of the panes feature representations of the deacon’s ministries of Word, liturgy and charity.

The Book of the Gospels expresses the deacon’s ministry of the Word—he proclaims the Gospel at Mass, and preaches and teaches the Good News.

The deacon’s ministry of liturgy includes baptizing, witnessing marriages, assisting at Mass and ministering the cup at holy Communion.

The loaf of bread is both the body of Christ and food for the poor as the deacon links the poor and marginalized he serves with the eucharistic assembly.

The ministry of charity, the deacon’s distinctive ministry, is portrayed by the pitcher, basin and towel used in washing feet: the deacon is the icon of Christ the Servant.

The final pane features the deacon cross, the cross draped with a deacon’s stole, expressing the deacon’s ministry as part of the mystery of salvation.

The ministry of charity and the mystery of salvation portrayed in the lower panes are the foundation for the ministries of Word and liturgy displayed in the top panes.

(Benedictine Father Bede Cisco is director of the archdiocesan Office of Deacon Formation.) †

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