On Friday, July 17, 2026, three “Vatican Visitors” arrived at Carondelet Village to dialogue with the local leadership of Discerning Deacons, a national organization working to open the diaconate to women in the Catholic Church. The visitors are exploring the spiritual needs that move local people into action. We began by gathering around the table.

Fr. Mattia Ferrari, Coordinator of the “World Meeting of Popular Movements,” and Luca Casarini, founder of “Mediterranean Saving Humans,” have worked with thousands of immigrants who pay to cross the Mediterranean into Italy but, unless rescued, too often drown abandoned at sea. Cesar Piscoya, a theologian studying to become an Augustinian, became a friend of Pope Leo before marrying, becoming a lay missionary in Peru and later a diocesan official.

The visitors viewed the Stations of the Cross that members of the local Discerning Deacons Leadership Group created to celebrate Good Friday. The stations showed moments from the ICE surge and the intent of their public prayer. One by one, the Discerning Deacons leadership group described the Spirit moving within them to service in the Church.

Lisa Amman, Deputy Director of Engagement, and Carolyn Puccio, CSJ, who serves on the National Board of Discerning Deacons, along with local Discerning Deacons members Joan Mitchell, CSJ and Mary Lamski, CSJ joined other local parish leaders for breakfast and dialogue.

The visitors heard about the expanding movement of Discerning Deacons locally, across the country and globally, as it continues the conversation called for in the Final Document of the Global Synod and engages the Church in active discernment about the ordination of women to the diaconate. The visitors listened attentively and enjoyed informal conversation with the group.

To conclude, the visitors explained that their task is to strengthen community between local movements and the Vatican, reflecting Pope Leo’s hope and call for “solidarity and ways to accompany those on the margins: La Realidad!”