Grace Thompson
Deacons are ordained ministers in the Catholic Church who serve under the Bishop. They are called to be a living icon of Christ the Servant within the Church. The Second Vatican Council restored the diaconate as a permanent order of ministry, open to mature married men. Permanent deacons often have secular jobs and families, and they are not in the process of becoming priests. Their role includes proclaiming the Gospel, preaching, teaching, baptising, witnessing marriages, and presiding at funerals. They are also dedicated to social justice and eliminating the root causes of injustice and inequity.
| Characteristics | Values | |
|---|---|---|
| Motto | "Go forth, the Mass has ended" | |
| Ordination | Permanent deacons are ordained ministers who assist the bishop and priests in various pastoral and sacramental functions. | |
| Ministry | Ministry of the Word, Ministry of the Liturgy, and Ministry of Charity | |
| Ministry of the Word | Deacons proclaim the Gospel, preach, and teach in the name of the Church | |
| Ministry of the Liturgy | Deacons assist priests during Mass, administer baptisms, witness marriages, preside at funerals and wakes, officiate at Benediction and lead community prayer services | |
| Ministry of Charity | Deacons reach out to the poor, the aged, the sick, the homeless, and the incarcerated, bringing the Gospel to all those in need. They also speak out on behalf of those who are marginalized or whose voices are unrecognized, and advocate for the dignity of all people. | |
| Secular work | Permanent deacons often have secular jobs and are allowed to be married. | |
| Training | Deacons receive training and are ordained after much training. | |
| Retirement | Permanent deacons remain in their work until the mandatory retirement age of 75. |
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What You'll Learn
- Permanent deacons can be married and have secular jobs
- They are ministers of the Word, Liturgy and Charity
- They proclaim the Gospel and preach at liturgical celebrations
- They are appointed to parishes by the bishop and serve under a pastor's supervision
- They are dedicated to eliminating injustices and inequities
Permanent deacons can be married and have secular jobs
The Catholic Church recognises three groups or "orders" of ordained ministers: bishops, presbyters, and deacons. Deacons are ordained as a sacramental sign to the Church and to the world of Christ, who came "to serve and not to be served".
The Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) authorised the restoration of the diaconate as a permanent order of ministry. In 1967, Pope Paul VI issued an official letter to the Church restoring the permanent diaconate. Permanent deacons are not in formation for the priesthood but are ordained as deacons permanently.
Permanent deacons often have secular jobs and are allowed to be married. They are usually married men with families, and they work in secular jobs in addition to their diaconal role. The diaconate is distinct from the priesthood in that it allows for married men to be ordained. However, if an ordained man's wife dies, he may not marry again without special permission. Deacons' wives participate in the training and in the ministries.
Deacons are ministers of the Word, the liturgy, and charity. They proclaim the Gospel, preach, and teach in the name of the Church. They also baptise, lead the faithful in prayer, witness marriages, and conduct funeral services. They are dedicated to eliminating injustices or inequities and extending the sacramental presence of Christ's service outside of the church and into the secular world.
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They are ministers of the Word, Liturgy and Charity
The Catholic Church defines three main areas of service for deacons: ministry of the word, ministry of the liturgy, and ministry of charity.
Ministry of the Word
Deacons are ministers of the Word, proclaiming the Gospel, preaching, and teaching the truths of Sacred Scripture and the Catholic faith. They are the heralds of the Gospel, and they can often be seen proclaiming the Gospel at Sunday Masses. As ministers of the Word, deacons also prepare couples for marriage, parents for baptisms, and individuals for reception into the Catholic Church. They bring the needs of the Christian community to the altar and encourage the faithful to serve one another.
Ministry of the Liturgy
In addition to reading the Gospel, deacons have other visible roles at Mass, such as assisting the priest during the Eucharistic Prayer. They can also baptize, witness marriages, and preside at funeral services. In some countries, deacons conduct word-and-communion services for those who are homebound or elderly.
Ministry of Charity
Deacons are ministers of charity, bringing charity to the world in their own unique ways. They serve the poor, the aged, the sick, and the imprisoned, bringing the Gospel to all those in need. They are leaders in identifying the needs of others and marshaling the Church's resources to meet those needs. They are dedicated to eliminating injustices and inequities, advocating for the dignity of all people. Deacons are also involved in teaching the faith, giving retreats, assisting charitable organizations, and managing diocesan offices or parishes when appointed by the bishop.
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They proclaim the Gospel and preach at liturgical celebrations
The Catholic deacon is a "living icon of Christ the Servant within the Church", and a "living voice of the Word". Deacons are ministers of the Word, the liturgy, and charity. They are a sacramental sign to the Church and the world of Christ, who came "to serve and not to be served".
Deacons proclaim the Gospel and preach at liturgical celebrations. They are ministers of the Word, proclaiming the Gospel reading and preaching God's Word. They are the heralds of the Gospel, echoing Christ's mission to proclaim the good news to the poor. They are emissaries of the Church, bringing Christ to the world and the world to Christ.
At Mass, deacons read the Gospel and preach. They announce the intentions of the Universal Prayer (the Prayer of the Faithful) and identify the needs of the community. They lead the Universal Prayer, giving the intercessions, and bring the needs of the community to the Lord.
Deacons also prepare the altar for the Liturgy of the Eucharist, a symbolic act of placing the congregation on the altar, offering themselves and asking the Lord to join Himself to them. The deacon assists the priest in receiving the people's gifts and prepares the altar after the Universal Prayer.
Deacons are also ministers of charity, taking the fruit of what they receive at the altar and going out to mediate divine charity. They serve the poor, the aged, the sick, the imprisoned, and the needy, bringing the Gospel to all those in need. They exercise the service of charity according to community needs and their own gifts and time.
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They are appointed to parishes by the bishop and serve under a pastor's supervision
Permanent deacons are appointed to parishes by the bishop and serve under a pastor's supervision. They are ordained ministers who assist the bishop and priests in various pastoral and sacramental functions. They conduct liturgical services, including baptisms, weddings, and funerals. Each deacon's ministry varies, with some serving primarily at parishes and others serving the sick, the poor, or the incarcerated.
The diaconate is the first rank of holy orders in the Catholic Church. Deacons are the eyes, ears, mouth, and heart of the bishop through their service in the community and at the parish where a deacon is assigned. Deacons are dedicated to eliminating injustices or inequities that cause specific needs. They are a living icon of Christ the Servant within the Church. Deacons do not celebrate Mass, hear confessions, or anoint the sick, but they extend the sacramental presence of Christ's service outside of the church and into the secular world.
Deacons are ministers of the Word, liturgy, and charity. They proclaim the Gospel, preach, and teach in the name of the Church. They are also ministers of Sacrament and conduct baptisms, lead the faithful in prayer, witness marriages, and conduct funeral services. As ministers of charity, they are leaders in identifying the needs of others and marshaling the Church's resources to meet those needs. They serve the poor, the aged, the sick, and the imprisoned, bringing the Gospel to all those in need.
Deacons are appointed to parishes where they work under the supervision of a pastor. They are ordained to a lifelong ministry of service and can be married at the time of ordination. They are a permanent sign of Christ the Servant, no matter where they are or what they are doing.
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They are dedicated to eliminating injustices and inequities
Deacons are clerics ordained through the sacrament of holy orders. They are dedicated to eliminating injustices and inequities, and their ministry varies. Deacons are ministers of the Word, the liturgy, and charity. They proclaim the Gospel, preach, and teach in the name of the Church. They also baptise, witness marriages, and preside at funeral services. In the United States, deacons often conduct word-and-communion services for the homebound or elderly.
Deacons are called to serve in the image of Christ, bringing the world to Christ and Christ to the world. They are a permanent sign of Christ the servant, no matter where they are or what they are doing. They extend the sacramental presence of Christ's service outside of the church and into the secular world. Deacons are the eyes, ears, mouth, and heart of the bishop, serving in the community and at the parish to which they are assigned. They are assigned by the bishop to ministries where there is a great need and where their gifts or talents can be utilised.
Deacons are ministers of charity, living the Church's mission to proclaim God's mercy, love, and justice, inspiring others to do the same. They reach out to the poor, the homeless, the hospitalised, and the incarcerated. They speak out on behalf of those who are marginalised or whose voices are not recognised, and they advocate for the dignity of all people. Deacons are leaders in identifying the needs of others and marshalling the Church's resources to meet those needs.
Deacons are often married men with secular jobs and families. They are ordained after much training and remain in their work until the mandatory retirement age of 75. They are a permanent rank of the Church, and once a man is ordained a deacon, he will always be a deacon.
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Frequently asked questions
A deacon is an ordained minister of the Catholic Church. They are dedicated to eliminating injustices and inequities and extending the sacramental presence of Christ's service outside of the church and into the secular world.
A transitional deacon is a man who is on his way to becoming ordained as a priest. A permanent deacon is a man who is ordained as a deacon permanently and is not being formed for the priesthood.
Permanent deacons serve as ministers of the Word, the liturgy, and charity. They conduct liturgical services, including baptisms, weddings, and funerals. They also serve the poor, the aged, the sick, and the imprisoned, bringing the Gospel to all those in need.
Yes, a permanent deacon may have a wife, a family, and a secular job. Deacons' wives also participate in the training and ministries.
The process to become a deacon is initiated by the pastor. A permanent deacon is ordained after much training and remains in his work until the mandatory retirement age of 75.
