"You're not worthy." That's what a priest of 55 years told Deacon Rick Wagner months before ordination. "And I'm not either. It's not about being worthy - it's about being called."
Deacon Rick Wagner (Archdiocese of Indianapolis, ordained 2012) has spent 40+ years in Catholic education and now serves as president of a Catholic high school while ministering at the same parish where he was baptized 67 years ago. In this conversation, he shares:
- How he discovered the diaconate while running a retreat house
- His "Tell Your Story" retreat ministry reaching 15+ dioceses
- Why he uses social media as a pulpit during morning prayer
- Walking with his wife through cancer and deepening shared prayer
- What it means to accompany the dying through their fears
Plus: why St. Joseph is his favorite saint, and the moment his spiritual director's blunt honesty set him free.
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What is Deacon Life?
Real conversations with permanent deacons about the joys, struggles, and Christ-centered journey of diaconal ministry. Each episode, host Deacon Michael sits down with a fellow deacon to explore the moments that shape this unique vocation — from the call to ordination, to navigating family life and parish ministry, to the quiet sacrifices no one sees. Whether you're a deacon feeling the weight of ministry alone, discerning the diaconate, or simply curious about what this calling looks like from the inside, you'll find honest stories and a reminder: you're not alone in this calling. New episodes every other week.