diaconate
noun
di·ac·o·nate
dī-ˈa-kə-nət 
-ˌnāt,
dē-
1
: the office or period of office of a deacon or deaconess
2
: an official body of deacons
Examples of diaconate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
During the liturgical celebration, seminarian William O’Donnell, 25, will be ordained to the transitional diaconate.
—
Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2025
As the cardinals of the Catholic Church go into conclave to elect the next pope, many of them are reading a dossier that lists the statements their brother cardinals have made on climate change, allowing women into the diaconate, and the status of the Latin Mass.
—Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 7 May 2025
Despite two papal commissions studying the diaconate question—first in 2016 and again in 2020—neither produced definitive recommendations.
—Gemma Allen, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
He was ordained to the diaconate in 1971 and to the priesthood in 1972.
—Bryan Marquard, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Sep. 2023
Brignac pleaded to be let into the diaconate.
—David A. Hammer, NOLA.com, 16 Dec. 2020
The role of female deacons likely ended in the 12th Century when the diaconate became a steppingstone to the priesthood, Stanton said.
—Susan Degrane, chicagotribune.com, 30 Mar. 2022
In the early 1960s, the Second Vatican Council restored the diaconate as a permanent vocation to married men.
—Susan Degrane, chicagotribune.com, 30 Mar. 2022
There is, however, one category of ministry that is booming — the diaconate.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 June 2021
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2025
As the cardinals of the Catholic Church go into conclave to elect the next pope, many of them are reading a dossier that lists the statements their brother cardinals have made on climate change, allowing women into the diaconate, and the status of the Latin Mass.
—Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 7 May 2025
Despite two papal commissions studying the diaconate question—first in 2016 and again in 2020—neither produced definitive recommendations.
—Gemma Allen, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
He was ordained to the diaconate in 1971 and to the priesthood in 1972.
—Bryan Marquard, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Sep. 2023
Brignac pleaded to be let into the diaconate.
—David A. Hammer, NOLA.com, 16 Dec. 2020
The role of female deacons likely ended in the 12th Century when the diaconate became a steppingstone to the priesthood, Stanton said.
—Susan Degrane, chicagotribune.com, 30 Mar. 2022
In the early 1960s, the Second Vatican Council restored the diaconate as a permanent vocation to married men.
—Susan Degrane, chicagotribune.com, 30 Mar. 2022
There is, however, one category of ministry that is booming — the diaconate.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 June 2021
Cite this Entry
“Diaconate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diaconate. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share