Jim Hanink, Mario Ramos-Reyes, and Christopher Zehnder of The Open Door reflect on the Diaconate, from New Testament times to our own day, with special and returning guest Deacon Michael L. Russo, a deacon of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnston, Pennsylvania. He's also the author of The Via Dolorosa: A Forensic and Spiritual Treatise on the Salvific Work of Jesus Christ (Zulon Press, 2013).

1. Deacon Russo, could you please tell us a bit about yourself?
2. How did you come to discern a vocation to the Diaconate?
3. What sort of special preparation do deacons have?
4. What are the New Testament roots of the Diaconate?
5. How did the transitional Diaconate come to be in its present form?
6. In what ways do you serve your parish and diocese?
7. How have you integrated your business background into your service?
8. You have been able to connect your parish with a priest in Nigeria and a young Christian in Pakistan. How did you do so and how have parishioners reacted?
9. Let's turn to your award-winning book: The Via Dolorosa. What led you to write it, and what are some of its main themes?
10. Do you have any special research interests that you are pursuing?