Cardinal McElroy Urges Humility at Deacon Mass
At a Mass for deacons and their wives in Washington, the cardinal preached on Christian humility as portraits of seven candidates for sainthood were displayed.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Catholicism
Cardinal McElroy delivered a homily on Christian humility at a Mass for the Convocation for Deacons and Wives in the Archdiocese of Washington. Portraits of the Saintly Seven, seven Black American candidates for sainthood, were displayed before the altar.
Why it matters
The Mass fell on the eve of Black Catholic History Month, which began Nov. 1, linking the convocation to the recognition of Black American figures in the Church. The homily addressed the deacons and their wives directly, emphasizing humility as a core Christian virtue for those in ministry.
The Archdiocese of Washington ordains a new group of permanent deacons every other year and requires married deacons to have spousal consent during aspirancy and candidacy, periods that last five years. Roughly one-third of current deacon candidates were born outside the United States, and one-third speak Spanish.
The players
Cardinal McElroy
Cardinal Robert W. McElroy is the Archbishop of Washington, leading the archdiocese and preaching at its major liturgical events.
Bishop Roy E. Campbell Jr.
Roy E. Campbell Jr. is a Catholic bishop who concelebrated the Mass and serves as pastor of St. Joseph Parish.
Gary R. Studniewski
Gary R. Studniewski is an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Washington who concelebrated the Mass.
The details
Cardinal McElroy focused his homily on Christian humility after the Gospel reading of Luke 14:1, 7-11, addressing the deacons and their wives who attended. Bishop Roy E. Campbell Jr. and Auxiliary Bishop Gary R. Studniewski concelebrated the Mass, and portraits of the Saintly Seven were displayed before the altar.
Timeline
Nov. 1: Black Catholic History Month begins, a day after the Mass.
The Mass was held on the eve of All Saints Day.
The Archdiocese ordains a new group of permanent deacons every other year, with ordinations scheduled for 2027 and 2029.
Season Trajectory
The Mass coincided with the start of Black Catholic History Month, placing the display of the Saintly Seven within a yearly national observance. The convocation's focus on permanent deacons reflects the archdiocese's ordination cycle of one new class every other year.
Readers who follow Catholic parish life may note that the archdiocese requires five years of aspirancy and candidacy before ordination. Families of prospective deacons should expect a multi-year formation process that includes spousal consent.
The takeaway
Humility, as Cardinal McElroy framed it, is the posture expected of those who serve. Readers interested in the church's ministry can follow the archdiocese's ordination cycle to see how new deacons are formed.
What happens next
Ordinations of new permanent deacons are scheduled for 2027 and 2029 in the Archdiocese of Washington.
Further reading
For more on the church's ministries and traditions, see Catholicism coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Catholic Standard.
