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

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.

St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church

“So many older adults from our congregation, both men and women, were thrilled to hear of this discernment and of the witness of St. Phoebe. The response from our community most definitely helped us to realize and remember that we are not alone on this journey of uplifting women in the Church!”

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St. John – St. Paul Collaborative

“The energy following mass was palpable! We heard hopeful murmurs saying that this truly might be the time for change. We were encouraged in the reflection shared to collaborate with one another. Priests and laity, women and men all need to affirm and partner together so that, as the People of God we can discern the movement of the Spirit.”

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Spirituality Hub Kirup

“In a church where many of us feel discouraged by experiences of our leadership not being valued and seen, our celebration was an important place for us to rally together to pray and share.”

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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.”

Prayer to St. Phoebe

Prayer to St. Phoebe
By Elizabeth Young, RSM

God of Vision,
You see beyond our horizons and enlarge our tents.
You draw us into communion, participation and mission.
Inspired by St. Phoebe, our Deacon forebear in faith,
may we hear the cries of those who suffer,
discern our response with the Holy Spirit,
and reach out in ministry
to share the Good News with all creation.
May we proclaim your Reign,
in which all are kin,
welcomed with healing and hope.
May our Church lead and serve
in the spirit of Jesus,
who raised up those bowed down.
God of Vision,
light our way that all might shine.
St. Phoebe, pray for us.

Amen.

St. Phoebe Day - Photos and Blog Posts

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