Heroic Stories: Faith, Formation, and the Fierce Love of a Servant Leader
Heroic Stories with Deacon Eric Paige
Deacon Eric Page is a man whose journey moved from political ambition to pastoral mission. He's now committed to serving deacons and lay leaders in the Archdiocese of Seattle.
Saints, Strength, and a Shifting World
Asked what heroic story lights him up, Deacon Eric begins at the source: Jesus Christ. He shares how St. Louis de Montfort’s metaphor of painting one’s life after Christ remains formative.
But he quickly shifts to a second figure: St. Catherine of Siena. “She had this irrepressible love of God,” he says. Despite being illiterate and facing injustice, Catherine’s radiant joy and unflinching truth transformed cities—and even challenged popes.
Why does she resonate so much today? Because, Deacon Eric says, she lived through cultural upheaval, plagues, and spiritual confusion—and became a saint anyway. "She’d be a saint in any era."
Choosing Faith Over Politics
One of his hardest decisions came early in his career. After earning a graduate degree in public administration and rising in Washington state government, he sat beside the director of the State Catholic Conference, who asked, "Have you ever thought about working with the Church?"
He hadn’t. But the question changed his life.
Stepping away from a clear career path into Church ministry required prayer, discernment, and hard conversations—especially with his wife. It meant choosing the unknown. "You do your due diligence," he reflects, "but at some point, you cast out into the deep."
Today, Deacon Eric supports the formation of deacons and lay ministers in Seattle. He emphasizes the four pillars of formation: intellectual, pastoral, spiritual, and human.
He focuses especially on human formation: helping men become integrated human beings capable of serving God as they are, where they are. That includes developing the four cardinal virtues:
Prudence: truly knowing what’s good
Justice: doing right by others
Fortitude: persevering when it’s hard
Temperance: saying no to excess and distraction
The Cost—and Freedom—of Obedience
Obedience, for Deacon Eric, is not blind submission. It’s a deep integration of life across every sphere—marriage, ministry, work, and prayer.
"Obedience today means refusing a compartmentalized life," he explains. Rather than balancing God, family, and work as separate roles, everything flows from one relationship: with Christ.
But that’s hard in a culture of constant distraction. Phones, notifications, entertainment—they all scatter us. The solution? Silence. Simplicity. Morning and evening prayer. Phones out of reach during family time. "It’s not magic," he says. "But it’s necessary."
When Life Feels Overwhelming
What about the man who feels buried under roles and routines? Who shows up at Mass but feels like a ghost in his own life?
Deacon Eric doesn’t flinch: “It’s hard. And it’s okay to say that.”
He compares Mass to manna in the desert. Sometimes it’s a powerful encounter with Christ. Sometimes it’s dry—but still necessary nourishment. “The more we grow in prayer, in virtue, in reconciliation—the more we’ll receive at Mass.”
Favorite Films and Heroes
Deacon Eric’s movie pick? Gladiator.
He loves its sweeping journey and portrait of principled endurance. His real-world heroes include:
St. Michael the Archangel: pure devotion and fierce protection
St. Thomas Aquinas: genius and grace
Abraham Lincoln: navigating division with humility
Victor Frankl: hope in the darkness of the Holocaust
Frankl especially stands out: “He saw good in people committing evil. That’s incredible humanity.”
Who He Wants to Be a Hero For
Two groups are closest to Deacon Eric’s heart:
The Deacons of Seattle: men living in both worlds—spiritual and secular—striving to serve Christ and community.
The Dads in the Pews: the ones showing up exhausted, wondering if they’re enough. "I want to be a resource for them," he says.
His encouragement: perfection isn’t about flawlessness. It’s about maturity in virtue, integration, and presence. The more you grow as a man, the more you’ll receive from your faith.
Spiritual Practices for Men
To stay grounded, Deacon Eric prays the St. Michael Chaplet daily—once in the morning to set intention, once at night to reflect.
Obedience begins with prayer. "To be obedient is to be face-to-face with God," he says. The key is to simply want Him—to invite Him in, even into the dark corners.
"There’s a part of us that fears what He’ll find. But He already knows. And He still loves us."
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