In his parish in New Jersey (state) in the United States, Anthony Liguori is not a deacon like the others. If he deeply loves Jesus, he is a big fan… of the singer Elvis Presley! Author and composer, he puts his passion at the service of his faith.
He is affectionately called “Deacon Elvis.” In addition to his work as a singer and composer, Anthony Liguori is a deacon in the Corpus Christi Catholic parish in the state of New Jersey, in the northeast of UNITED STATES. Driven by a deep faith, he also does not hide his admiration for the American singer Elvis Presley. A passion that does not leave its parishioners indifferent, on the contrary! If he plays songs by the famous singer, he also wears the same hairstyle.
Before Elvis, Anthony Liguori was first and foremost passionate about music, a passion he attributes to his father: “My father wasn’t really a singer, but he loved country music,” he confided to the English edition of Aleteia. He owes his attachment to Elvis to his grandmother and great-grandmother: “They watched all the singer’s films on television, there were girls, guitars, fast cars and motorcycles. I thought it was all pretty cool, that’s how I started to like Elvis,” he says. The “Deacon Elvis” does not seek to replace the singer, as he himself explains, but rather to touch the hearts of the public during his concerts. His repertoire is not limited to the American singer which is only part of his musical career. Anthony Liguori also collaborates with Jerry Foster, American country singer and songwriter.
From music to the diaconate
Despite a busy career, Anthony nevertheless felt a greater calling, that of the diaconate. If he serves his audience with music, he wants to serve God. “It was during a first communion mass. I was playing music for the service. The priest, Father Tom, spoke about diaconal vocations during his homily. It opened my eyes. I “I never realized that as a married man, I could still be part of the clergy,” he says. The call is launched. The composer was ordained in 2011. Now, under his Elvis Presley guise, Anthony brings God to the hearts of people through music and his diaconal service. Highly appreciated by his parishioners for his kindness and generosity, the goal of “Deacon Elvis” is to bring consolation and serve his community. With his son, he gives concerts for his parish, as well as for various charitable and ecclesiastical works. Anthony Liguori says he is inspired by Elvis Presley, whose kindness and generosity he shared during his lifetime. If there is one thing in common that unites them in their success, it is Christ.
