Joshua Bennett
The Catholic deacon's role is often misunderstood as being an assistant at the altar, or Father's wingman, but their ministry is rooted in service and charity, with a focus on proclaiming the Gospel and serving the poor, marginalized, and forgotten. While deacons are ordinary ministers of Holy Communion, they do not have consecrated hands like priests, whose hands are anointed with holy oil during their ordination to handle the Blessed Sacrament. This distinction between priests and deacons is reflected in their postures at the altar, with deacons instructed to reverence the altar with joined hands or by kissing it, while priests place their hands upon it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Deacon's hands consecrated | No |
| Deacon's role | Ministry of service and charity, a herald of the Gospel, an emissary of the Church, a servant who brings Christ to the world and the world to Christ |
| Deacon's duties | Reading the Gospel, setting the altar, ministering Communion to the faithful, proclaiming the Gospel during Mass, Baptisms, officiating at weddings |
| Priest's hands consecrated | Yes |
| Priest's role | Ordinary administers of Holy Communion |
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What You'll Learn
Deacons do not have consecrated hands
Deacons are not acting in persona Christi at the altar, their palms are not anointed, and they do not consecrate the species. They are, however, ordinary ministers of Holy Communion, especially with the chalice—the Precious Blood. They also have a central role in serving the poor, the marginalized, and the forgotten, reflecting Christ, who "came not to be served, but to serve."
While deacons do not consecrate the species, they do have a role in setting the altar and proclaiming the Gospel during Mass. They are also authorized to baptize, officiate at weddings, and lead prayer services. Their role flows from their identity as a herald of the Gospel and an emissary of Christ's love to the world.
The practice of distinguishing the posture of the deacon and priest with respect to touching the altar cannot be justified by the liturgical norms now in force. There is no indication in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal or the rubrics of the entrance procession that only the priest may touch the altar. However, it is widespread to tell deacons to kiss the altar with their hands joined while the priest places both hands upon it.
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Priests' hands are consecrated with holy oil
The Catholic Church uses three holy oils: the oil of the sick, the oil of the catechumens, and the holy chrism oil. The first two are blessed, and the bishop consecrates the third, usually during the annual Chrism Mass. Each has a distinct purpose. The oil of the sick, for example, is used for the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. The priest lays hands on the sick person, says prayers, and anoints the person by placing oil in the form of a cross on their forehead and hands.
Holy chrism oil is used during the ordination of a priest (the Sacrament of Holy Orders) and the consecration of a bishop. It is used to consecrate someone or something to God's service. The oil is made by mixing oil from the balsam plant with olive oil, and the bishop breathes on the mixture to signify the presence of the Holy Spirit. The bishop then says a prayer to consecrate it.
While it is clear that priests have their hands consecrated with holy oil, it is not clear whether deacons have their hands consecrated in the same way. Some sources state that deacons do not have consecrated hands. However, others suggest that deacons share in part the same sacrament of holy orders, which could imply that their hands are also consecrated.
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Deacons are not 'in persona Christi' at the altar
Deacons are ordained ministers who are consecrated to service and are not ordained to the priesthood. They are therefore not "in persona Christi" (meaning "in the person of Christ") when they serve at the altar. This term is specifically used in relation to the priest, who acts "in persona Christi" when celebrating the sacraments, especially the Eucharist.
The role of the deacon is to assist the priest during the Mass and to perform works of charity on behalf of the church. They are ordained for service, but their role is distinct from that of the priest. While deacons can perform certain sacraments, such as baptism and marriage, they cannot celebrate Mass or hear confessions, as these are reserved for priests and bishops.
The distinction between the roles of deacon and priest is important in the Catholic Church. Deacons are not considered to be acting "in persona Christi" during any of their duties, including those performed at the altar. This is because their ordination is specifically to the ministry of service and not to the priesthood.
During the ordination of a deacon, the bishop lays hands on the candidate and prays a consecratory prayer, but this does not elevate the deacon to the priesthood. The deacon's hands are blessed, but not consecrated in the same way as a priest's hands. The priest's hands are anointed with chrism, a sacred oil, during their ordination, signifying their configuration to Christ, the Supreme High Priest, and their unique ability to act "in persona Christi."
In summary, deacons are not "in persona Christi" at the altar because they are not ordained to the priesthood. Their role is primarily one of service, and while they assist the priest during Mass, they do not assume the person of Christ in the same way that a priest does when celebrating the sacraments.
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Deacons do not consecrate the species
Deacons are ordained ministers in the Catholic Church who are called to serve the poor, the marginalized, and the forgotten. They play a crucial role in proclaiming the Gospel during Mass, reading the Gospel aloud, and ministering Holy Communion, especially with the chalice. However, it is important to note that deacons do not consecrate the species.
The consecration of the hands is a mark of a priest's ordination, setting them apart for the sacred task of distributing the Blessed Sacrament to the faithful. The priest's hands are anointed with holy oil, sanctifying them for touching and blessing the holy gifts. This consecration of the priest's hands highlights the sacredness of the Body of Christ and underscores the care and respect with which it should be handled.
In contrast, deacons' hands are not anointed or consecrated. While they assist at the altar, their role is not to confect the Eucharist or consecrate the species. Deacons are not considered to be "in persona Christi" at the altar, which means they do not act in the person of Christ during the consecration. This distinction is reflected in the different postures and gestures prescribed for priests and deacons during liturgical ceremonies.
For example, while priests place both hands on the altar at the beginning of Mass, deacons are instructed to reverence the altar with joined hands or hold the bottom of the mensa if needed for steadiness. These liturgical norms differentiate the roles of the priest and the deacon, emphasizing that deacons do not have the same sacramental powers as priests in the consecration of the Eucharist.
While deacons play a vital role in the Catholic Church, their responsibilities do not include consecrating the species. Their ministry of service and charity, rooted in their identity as heralds of the Gospel, takes them beyond the altar and into the broader life of the Church.
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Deacons are ministers of Holy Communion
The role of a deacon is often misunderstood. They are not just "Father's wingman" or "Father's assistant". Their role is deeply rooted in their identity as a herald of the Gospel and an emissary of Christ's love to the world. They are ordained to proclaim the Gospel and lead people to Christ. They are also called to serve the poor, the marginalized, and the forgotten, reflecting Christ's own mission.
During Mass, deacons have various duties such as reading the Gospel, setting the altar, and ministering Communion to the faithful. They are ordinary ministers of Holy Communion, especially with the chalice, which contains the Precious Blood. At the end of Mass, it is the deacon who offers the dismissal, sending the Church into the world to continue the mission that began at the altar.
While deacons do minister Holy Communion, their hands are not consecrated in the same way as priests' hands. This distinction is made because deacons are not acting in persona Christi at the altar, their palms are not anointed, and they do not consecrate the species or confect the Eucharist.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the hands of Catholic deacons are not consecrated. This is because they are not "in persona Christi" at the altar, their palms are not anointed, and they do not consecrate the species or confect the Eucharist.
A deacon is a man ordained to be a herald of the Gospel and an emissary of Christ's love to the world. They are also responsible for various logistical duties during Mass, such as reading the Gospel, setting the altar, and ministering Communion to the faithful. Additionally, they serve as ordinary ministers of Holy Communion, especially with the chalice, and they offer the dismissal at the end of Mass.
The consecration of a priest's hands during ordination shows how sacred the Body of Christ is and that it should be treated with care and respect. By consecrating their hands, priests are deemed worthy of touching and sanctifying the holy gifts, including the Blessed Sacrament and God Incarnate.
