What does a deacon wear under his alb?

Now it can be shown.

Here’s a first for “The Deacon’s Bench”:

The  men about to be ordained deacons earlier this month for the Archdiocese of Atlanta show off some equipment they used to help get them through all the kneeling the ceremony entails.

More on the 16 new deacons — and what else they bring to their ministry, besides kneepads — from the Georgia Bulletin:

A selfless attitude, a servant’s heart, and a love for the poor are prerequisites for the diaconate, Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory told the 2011 class of men ordained Feb. 5 at the Cathedral of Christ the King.

Sixteen men were ordained to the permanent diaconate, adding another large class to serve the growing church of North Georgia. At a Mass witnessed by their spouses, family members and friends, the deacons were welcomed with great enthusiasm and excitement.

The new deacons are: Fernando Barrueta, William Bohn, Leonard Chambliss Jr., Robert Grimaldi, Richard Kaszycki, Norman Keller, Kenneth Lampert, Curtis Marsh, Scott Medine, Jose Trinidad Merlo-Quintero, Bill O’Donoghue, Gary Schantz, Steven Shawcross, Mark Sholander, Dave Thomasberger and Lawrence Welsh.

The people who filled the Cathedral came equipped with cameras and tissues. A reverent procession began the Mass with the wives of the deacon candidates leading the way, highlighting the role family plays in the deacon’s journey. It was also a moment of realization for the men.

“It was a surreal moment, almost like a dream unfolding before me,” Deacon Medine said. “Seeing an army of priests and deacons present and in procession with the bishops was extremely moving, but even more so was the gathering of family and friends in the Cathedral for the celebration of the sacrament.”

“We were sequestered. It was a good thing to help us pass through the anxiety,” Deacon Chambliss said about the moments right before the line of candidates came down the center aisle.

Deacon Chambliss is one of two members of the class who joined the Catholic Church as adults. He and his wife, Rhonda, and their son and daughter entered the church at St. Jude Church, Sandy Springs, in the early 1980s. He ranks his ordination up there with his wedding day and the birth of his children.

“That’s the impact it has had,” said Deacon Chambliss.

Read more at the link.   There’s also a wonderful photo gallery by Michael Alexander (who took the clever shot above.)

Ad multos annos, one and all!