Rosemont College
“The icon of St. Phoebe is still present in our Chapel today, where we are able to remember her witness and ask her to intercede on our behalf.”
Every September since 2020, Discerning Deacons has marked the Feast of St. Phoebe the Deacon by animating communities around the world in prayer and celebration in her honor.
Over 200 Catholics parishes, schools, religious orders, and other organizations have hosted local St. Phoebe Day gatherings across 67 dioceses, nine countries, and four continents, reaching tens of thousands of people with St. Phoebe's good news.
Together we lead our faith communities to…
- Lift up St. Phoebe on or near the day she is commemorated, September 3
- Pray for the universal church during the Global Synod and its implementation as we discern about women’s participation
- Celebrate the voices and gifts of women leaders in our communities
- Offer our communities an opportunity to grow in understanding of and exercise their baptismal call to diakonia—bridge-building, humble service in liturgy, Word, and social action, especially with those on the margins
We gather virtually on September 3 and unleash Catholic communities to host local prayers and celebrations honoring St. Phoebe throughout the month of September.
Icon by Cheryl Liske
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"The time is right, and frankly, long overdue for the pastoral leadership of these women to be acknowledged through their ordination as deacons in the Church...I am presently open to identifying and supporting women with the gifts to preach, teach and sanctify in the life of our faith communities. I am grateful for all the ways Discerning Deacons is encouraging this movement which I believe is of the Holy Spirit."
St. Phoebe Day Witnesses
Read reports from some of the parishes, high schools, universities, and other Catholic organizations who celebrated the Feast of St. Phoebe in September 2023 and 2024.
Christ the King Catholic Church
“It was powerful and inspiring to see women involved in the Mass in such an active way. Simply seeing and hearing women during the liturgy is meaningful. Most people had not heard of St. Phoebe before this, and they were excited to learn about her ministry and witness. This celebration excites us—this is truly the time for us to rethink women’s participation in the Church. We are grateful to have celebrated the ministry and witness of St. Phoebe and are excited to continue on this journey of discernment together.”
Church of the Ascension
“It was so life-giving to listen to such an inspiring and powerful witness testimony, as well as to work alongside one another on our team to plan this event. There was so much good energy among the planning team and parishioners!”
Church of the Good Shepherd/Immaculate Conception Parish
“We know that the synodal process is a gift for us to discern, pray and discuss the possibility of a diaconate that includes both men and women, and more active involvement for women in the Church. Our St. Phoebe celebration was just the beginning of what is to come.”
Where is St. Phoebe?
Explore our interactive map to see some of the places and communities where St. Phoebe has been celebrated in past years. Don't see your celebration on the map? Send an email to us at info@discerningdeacons.org letting us know about your celebration!
“While I’m not necessarily the one who is called to do the proclaiming, I feel called to be the one who holds the microphone for every woman who does. I hope that there are going to be generations of witnesses coming after us who will do the same. I am praying for our Church to institutionally recognize the calling of so many women already serving and leading globally.”
St. Phoebe Day - Photos and Blog Posts
