Deacon James Keating, of the Institute for Priestly Formation, speaks about “The Role of Deacon” and St. Lawrence

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St. Lawrence of Rome was one of the seven deacons of ancient Rome who were martyred during the persecution of Valerian in 258.

His story is so touching (click here for a thorough telling). He models the charism of diakonia…genuine “ministry” of the gospel in the heart of the Church.  He witnessed to and lived out the command of Our Lord as found in Matthew 25.  Oh…to truly know modern day deacons in the order of Lawrence…

Often we see holy cards that depict Lawrence fully vested and holding what looks like a rack from a Weber kettle.  But his martyrdom was actually horrific and deserving of deeper reflection.  He could have avoided it, given the Roman official what he desired and spared his own life…but he didn’t.  The grace he received to bear witness lives for the centuries as a tremendous testimony of faith speaking out in truth and love…no matter what.  The image below is by Titian, and is the one I hold in my heart for St. Lawrence.

Special 5 – Good Friday

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From the archives of Spirit Mornings we bring you Deacon James Keating discussing Ash Wednesday and our Lenten practice. Deacon Keating is the Director of Theological Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation at Creighton University.

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Special 4 – Ash Wednesday and Lent

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From the archives of Spirit Mornings we bring you Deacon James Keating discussing Ash Wednesday and our Lenten practice. Deacon Keating is the Director of Theological Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation at Creighton University.

Click here for more Deacon Keating

 

[powerpress] Deacon Keating reflects on what intimacy with Jesus really means as realized in our experience of prayer and how that relationship can heal our fears.   The writings of St. Peter Eymard are used by Deacon Keating to explore these areas.

A Simple Blueprint for Prayer
“In your prayer, seek to nourish yourself on God, rather than…humbling yourself. To do this: nourish your mind with the truth personified in God’s goodness towards you…his personal love; here is the secret of true prayer. See the action and mind of God IN HIS LOVE FOR YOU! Then, in wonder, your soul will cry out… ‘How good you are my God. What can I do for you? What will please you?’ There is the fire of the furnace.”

The celebration of the life of Deacon Robert Jergovic took place on a cool November Monday morning…the Church was packed, the tears flowed, and one of the best homilies that I’ve ever heard was given by his close friend Deacon James Keating.  Poignant, compelling, a heartbreakenly beautiful tribute to a life which shined with the presence of Christ.  “For whom shall I offer my suffering” was one of the last questions Deacon Rob asked his friend.  The first act of a dying man was to think of another…and then another astonishment occurred.  Don’t miss the rest of the story. [powerpress]
We pray for his wife, Lisa, and for his children…and we pray for Rob…who now prays for us at the throne of God.  Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

see also Omar’s remarks “When a Good Man Passes”

Special 6 – Interior Silence

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Interior Silence, in particular in the liturgy, is reflected upon by Deacon Keating.   He leads a meditation during a prayer service with priests, on the letter “Spiritual Formation in the Seminaries”  which calls for spiritual silence to be at the core of seminary formation.  Priests are called to be teachers of prayer and directors of spirituality.  Why silence is so vitally important and what are the blocks  to prevent it…the cynicism that reacts to the ideal. The role of discernment and diminishing interference.  If priests have trouble with this, imagine the challenge for the laity.

Deacon Keating is the Director of Theological Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation at Creighton University.

Click here for more Deacon James Keating

 

Deacon James Keating is the editor of “Spiritual Fathers: A Workbook for Priests and Dads”.  In this episode, Deacon Keating gives us profound insights on male spirituality and even helps women to understand what they can do to support the guys in their lives.  Not to be missed!

From the description offered by IPF of “Spiritual Fathers”: “Together, the father and the priest can meet an urgent need in the family and Church today: presenting the spiritual life as a true journey to personal happiness. In many boys’ minds, worship, prayer, and service to others is the way of women. This error in judgment is often born in boys because their fathers are absent in the home as initiators of prayer and instructors in moral life. This error is further compounded by the absence of priests in the life of young men. This lack of masculine role modeling in the spiritual life results in boys being ignorant of the true nature and adventure of entering the spiritual life and guiding others to do so as well.”

Talk 2 - Love has Expelled All Fear From My Heart

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The Truth Will Set You Free is a series of talks Deacon James Keating gave at a day of reflection at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in November 2010.  Deacon Keating is the Director of Theological Formation for the  Institute for Priestly Formation at Creighton University.

Click here for more Deacon Keating

Talk 1 – Our Fear of Truth

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The Truth Will Set You Free is a series of talks Deacon James Keating gave at a day of reflection at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in November 2010.  Deacon Keating is the Director of Theological Formation for the  Institute for Priestly Formation at Creighton University.

Check at more Deacon Keating