The book emerges from the author's personal experience as a deacon, conversations with hundreds of deacons, and ongoing personal study. He takes for granted preparatory work on the diaconate that deacons will have undergone during preordination formation. The first chapter picks up Cardinal McElroy’s statement: “We are living in a wonderful moment in the life of the church.” The following chapters reflect on issues that are particularly significant: being rooted and founded in Jesus the deacon, and the spirituality of the deacon.