Articles by Deacon Dominic Cerrato, Ph.D.

Deacon Dominic Cerrato is Director of the Office of the Diaconate for the Diocese of Joliet, Editor of Our Sunday Visitor’s The Deacon magazine, and Director of Diaconal Ministries. He has taught theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville, Duquesne University of the Holy Ghost, and Holy Apostles College and Seminary. He has over 40 years of experience in catechetical and pastoral ministry on both the diocesan and parish levels. Deacon Dominic holds a BA in Theology from Franciscan University, a MA in Theology from Duquesne University, where he also completed his Ph.D. coursework. In 2009, he was awarded a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from the Graduate Theological Foundation. Ordained in 1995 as the first permanent deacon of the Diocese of Steubenville at the age of 35, Deacon Dominic is a national speaker, author, and retreat master. In 2020, he was appointed by Pope Francis to an international papal commission to study the question of women and the diaconate. Deacon Dominic and his wife Judith have been married since 1982 and they have seven children and many grandchildren.