Partner in purpose and vocation: Wives role in their husband's ministry
By: Danielle Soulodre and Evelyn Victoria
In response to the Second Vatican Council’s call for renewal of the ancient order of deacons, the permanent diaconate was officially restored in the Archdiocese of Vancouver in February 2011 by Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB. The first cohort of men started formation that same year, and since then, approximately 38 men have been ordained as permanent deacons (with additional cohorts in formation as of 2026).
Formation occurs primarily at St. Mark’s College at the University of British Columbia and with the Permanent Diaconate Office at the John Paul II Pastoral Centre. The program spans at least four years, rooted in the four pillars of human, spiritual, theological, and pastoral development. Married candidates’ wives are strongly encouraged to participate—either taking or auditing courses during the aspirancy and candidacy phases—to discern together the impact of diaconal life on family and ministry.
The Archdiocese actively welcomes men from diverse cultural backgrounds, reflecting Vancouver’s rich multicultural fabric. Among active deacons are those of Filipino, Chinese, Irish/Scottish, Sri Lankan, Singaporean, Hispanic, Dutch, Polish, Eritrean, Korean, Croatian, German, Finnish, and Hungarian heritage and first nations. This diversity enriches the diaconate and allows deacons to offer culturally attuned pastoral care.
Deacons are typically assigned to their home parishes but may serve elsewhere when specific needs arise, such as ministering to communities sharing their cultural or linguistic background (e.g., Filipino or Hispanics groups). In collaboration with parish priests and with input from the community, deacons address particular pastoral needs—building brotherhood among deacons, fostering unity across neighbouring parishes, and extending Christ’s service in charity, Word, and sacrament.
Deacons’ wives play an integral, though varied, role. Many were already active in parish life before their husband’s ordination and continue in ministries such as catechesis, outreach, or support groups. Others discern new paths opened by their husband’s vocation, stepping back from certain roles while offering essential behind-the-scenes support—nurturing family stability, prayer life, and the deacon’s well-being amid multicultural demands. In diverse settings, wives often help bridge cultural sensitivities, welcome newcomers, and model married discipleship.
To foster community, deacons attend a mandatory annual retreat for spiritual renewal, friendship, and fraternity. Wives are warmly encouraged to join, providing opportunities to build their own networks, share experiences, and support one another in living out the diaconal call within family and multicultural parish life. The Archdiocese offers continuing education opportunities for deacons, to which deacons’ wives are also invited to attend and participate.
Deacons in the Archdiocese also head various projects such as an annual Con-validation of Marriage (for Catholic couples of different cultural backgrounds and whose marriages were legal but not sacramental) wherein 40-50 couples participate. Deacons’ wives become a big support in this endeavour.
Additionally, some deacons’ wives meet informally in small groups when time permits, for bonding and to exchange views about their husbands’ ministries and how best to support them.
This approach reflects the Archdiocese’s commitment to valuing deacons and their wives as essential contributors to missionary discipleship in a diverse Church.
With our new Archbishop Smith, we are confident that the Diaconate Programme will continue to grow and the Deacons will continue to serve in their respective pastoral outreach within the Archdiocese of Vancouver.
