Here at Mercy Academy in Louisville, KY we celebrated St. Phoebe’s feast day primarily through special conversations in our theology department. The Discerning Deacons St. Phoebe Day “toolkit” was shared with the department prior to St. Phoebe Day. DD’s “swag” could be seen in classrooms all year long! We shared an all-school prayer over the intercom system during the General Assembly of the Synod in October 2023, and took this opportunity to share specifically about St. Phoebe, her life and legacy and our shared hope for women’s ordination to the diaconate in the future of the Church. Following this prayer, many staff and faculty had an opportunity to share and learn more about St. Phoebe, as many were not familiar with her story and witness. 

In six theology classes (three sophomore classes and three freshmen classes) we prayed a St. Phoebe Novena from August 28-September 13, 2023. On the first day of the Novena, together we learned more about St. Phoebe and also were exposed to a short history of female deacons within the history of the Church. In one theology classroom, we set up a prayer table that featured St. Phoebe throughout the entire month of September. The table included artwork depicting St. Phoebe, as well as prayer cards and a candle. 

Students were moved and inspired by learning more about St. Phoebe. As a part of a student-led prayer assignment for her theology class, one sophomore student decided to focus her prayer on St. Phoebe. In her prayer assignment she states: 

“We pray to you to give not only those at the Synod blessing and advice on how to enlarge one’s tent, and also to possibly open up more role opportunities for women in the church–just like St. Phoebe–as well as blessing all of us with advice on how to enlarge our own tents.” 

Toward the end of her assignment, she shared, “So my Lord, My God I ask that you bless not only the Synod and their meeting with advice on women’s roles in the church and the idea of enlarging one’s tent, but to also bless all of us as we work on our growth to expand our own tents, relationships and so much more with not only others, but with you.” 

We are grateful for our exposure to St. Phoebe’s witness in our community, and we trust that her impact among our students will continue to sow seeds of new life in their hearts beyond this celebration.