Deacon

The ministry of the deacon in the Roman Catholic Church is described as one of service in three areas: the Word, the Liturgy and Charity. 

The deacon's ministry of the Word includes proclaiming the Gospel during the Mass, preaching and teaching. The deacon's liturgical ministry includes various parts of the Mass proper to the deacon, including being an ordinary minister of Holy Communion and the proper minister of the chalice when Holy Communion is administered under both kinds. 

The ministry of charity involves service to the poor and marginalized and working with parishioners to help them become more involved in such ministry. As clerics, deacons are required to recite the Liturgy of the Hours. 

Deacons, like priests and bishops, are ordinary ministers of the sacrament of Baptism and can serve as the church's witness at the sacrament of Holy Matrimony, which the bride and groom administer to each other (though if the exchange of vows takes place in a wedding Mass, or Nuptial Mass, the Mass is celebrated by the priest and the deacon acts as another witness). 

Deacons may preside at funeral rites not involving a Mass (e.g., the final commendation at the gravesite or the reception of the body at a service in the funeral home), and may assist the priest at the Requiem Mass. They can preside over various services such as Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, and they may give certain blessings. 

Deacons cannot hear confession and give absolution, anoint the sick, or celebrate Mass.

At Mass, the deacon is the ordinary minister of the proclamation of the Gospel (in fact, a priest, bishop, or even the Pope should not proclaim the Gospel if a deacon is present) and of Holy Communion (primarily, of the Precious Blood). 

As ordained clerics, and if granted faculties by their bishops, deacons may preach the homily at a public Mass, unless the priest celebrant retains that ministry to himself at a given Mass.

2 Types of Deacons (Transitional & Permanent)

• Transitional deacons are seminarians, students in the last phase of training for the Catholic priesthood. After being a deacon for a year, they’re ordained a priest by the bishop.
• Permanent deacons are men ordained to an office in the Catholic Church who normally have no intention or desire of becoming priests. He can be single or married. If the latter, he must be married before being ordained a deacon. otherwise the rule of celibacy applies. For men who are married it is important to know that if his wife should pre-decease him following ordination, he may not re-marry, accepting instead the gift of celibacy. He may be ordained a priest if the bishop permits and approves.

Permanent deacons, especially those who are married, have secular jobs to support their families and also help the local pastor by visiting the sick, teaching the faith, counseling couples and individuals, working on parish committees and councils, and giving advice to the pastor.

Deacons are not compensated for their ministry (there is no pay associated with the order of deacon), however a fund which is set-up for the deacon’s continuing education, and annual retreat expenses. This fund is paid for by the parish to which he is assigned. In addition, the deacon is able to keep the stipends that are associated with presiding at baptism, weddings, and funerals rites.

The Faculties of a Deacon

Deacons are ordained ministers and receive their faculties (authority) from their bishop.

In issuing married deacons their faculties, a bishop always reminds that their service as ministers of Christ is first of all to one's wife as faithful and loving spouse and to one's children as a thoughtful and provident father, and then to others in the parish family to whom the deacon is assigned by the Bishop. [Wife first, Children next, then Church]

Deacons are usually authorised by their bishop as:

1. The ordinary minister of the sacrament of baptism (Canon 861.1).  With the permission of the pastor, a deacon may baptize infants according to the Rite of Infant Baptism, having instructed the parents. He prepares adults for initiation into the Church in accordance with the norms of the Rite for Christian Initiation of Adults. 
2. The deacon assists the priest in the celebration of the sacrament of the Eucharist in accord with liturgical norms. (The deacon’s specific role at mass is described in detail in the following section) The deacon is the ordinary minister of the Chalice.
3. When the ministry of a priest is lacking, the deacon may preside at the Rite of Distributing Holy Communion Outside Mass.  
4. The deacon may preside at the liturgy of benediction of the Blessed Sacrament (Canon 943).
5. The deacon is an ordinary minister of Holy Communion. The deacon may bring Holy Communion to the dying in the form of Viaticum with at least the presumed permission of the pastor (Canon 911.2).
6. Deacons who are assigned as administrators of parishes enjoy the faculty to assist at marriages within the boundaries of the parish to which they are assigned.  Other deacons may assist at marriages by delegation from the priest authorized to assist at the marriage.  The Rite of Matrimony is to be used and the Diocesan Guidelines for preparation of marriage.
7. Deacons who are assigned as administrators of parishes possess the faculty to:
• a.)  Dispense from the impediment of disparity of cult.
• b.)  Permit the marriage of a Catholic and a baptized non-Catholic provided that the requirements of Canon 1125 concerning such marriages are fulfilled.
• c.)  Permit marriages in which one or the other party is bound by natural obligations arising from a prior union (c. 1071.1n.3)
8. Deacons may preside at funeral rites except for the celebration of the Eucharist itself.  These Rites include the vigil, the non-Eucharist rites in the Church, the final commendation and the rites at the cemetery. 
9. Deacons may preside at the communal celebration of the liturgy of the Hours.  Deacons are urged to pray morning and evening prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours.
10. Deacons enjoy the faculty to preach, give the homily (Canon 764).  Deacons may always preach on those occasions when they preside at a Liturgical Rite.  With the consent of the presiding minister, deacons may also preach at any celebration of the Eucharist and at any celebration of the sacraments in which the deacon is not the presiding minister.
11. A deacon can impart only those blessings which are expressly permitted to him by law (C. 1169.3).  A deacon can give blessings which are part of the liturgical celebration at which he presides: marriage, baptism, Holy Communion and Viaticum outside of Mass, Morning and Evening Prayer, non-sacramental penance services and the blessing with the Holy Eucharist at benediction.

The Role of the Deacon At Mass

Customarily vests in alb and stole, except for solemn Eucharistic liturgies when a dalmatic is added. It is desirable that the color and design match the vestments of the presiding priest. 

•   Assists the priest and remains at his side.
•   Guides the faithful by appropriate introductions and explanations. 
•   As needed, he fulfills the duties of any other ministers who may not be present. 

Introductory Rites 

•   In the procession, the deacon carries the Book of the Gospels slightly elevated, and immediately preceding all those in Holy Orders, omitting the bow to the altar upon entering the Sanctuary (The Lectionary is not carried in procession). 
•   Depending on the circumstances, he stands the Gospel Book on the altar with the front cover facing out or lays it flat on the altar with the cover facing up. 
•   If, however, he is not carrying the Book of the Gospels, he makes a profound bow to the altar with the priest in the customary way and, with him, venerates the altar with a kiss. 
•   If incense is used, he assists the priest and accompanies him while he incenses the cross and altar. 
• In Penitential Rite, form C there is a preference for the deacon to announce the invocations. However, the presiding priest may do so, or if sung, the one who is best able, including the cantor, would do so. 
• If the Blessing and Sprinkling Holy Water Rite is used, the deacon may also bless the people by sprinkling.
  

Liturgy of the Word (The Deacon Proclaims the Gospel)

• If incense is used, and prior to requesting the blessing from the celebrant, the deacon assists the priest when he puts incense in the thurible during the singing of the Alleluia or other chant. 
• The deacon makes a profound bow before the priest and asks for the blessing, saying in a low voice, “Father, give me your blessing.” The priest blesses him, saying, “The Lord be in your heart and on your lips that you may worthily proclaim his gospel. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit” The deacon signs himself with the Sign of the Cross and responds, “Amen.” 
• He then bows to the altar and takes up the Book of the Gospels. 
•  He proceeds to the lectern, carrying the book slightly elevated. 
•  If there is incense, he is preceded by a thurifer and by servers with lighted candles. 
• At the lectern, the deacon, with hands joined, greets the people saying, “The Lord be with you.” 
• He announces the Gospel. 
• He signs the book with his thumb and, afterwards, himself on his forehead, mouth, and breast. 
• He (incenses the book with three swings of the thurible and) proclaims the Gospel reading. 
• When the reading is concluded, he says the acclamation and awaits the response. 
• He then venerates the book with a kiss, saying privately, “May the words of the gospel wipe away our sins” and returns to the priest’s side.
• Ordinarily, the homily is to be given by the presiding priest, although the deacon may give it if he has received the proper faculties. 
• After the homily and before the Creed, if circumstances require, the deacon or presiding priest, from the chair, dismisses the catechumens who are present. 
• After the introduction by the priest, it is the deacon who normally announces the intentions of the Prayer of the Faithful, from the lectern. 

Liturgy of the Eucharist

• At the Presentation of the Gifts, the deacon (assisted by other ministers) prepares the altar with the Sacramentary, corporal, purificator, and chalice (unless the chalice is prepared at a side table before the priest comes to the altar). 
• Either the presiding priest assisted by deacon, the deacon alone or the presiding priest alone receives the people’s gifts at a convenient place. 
• After preparing the chalice with wine and water at the altar, the deacon hands the paten and then the chalice to the presiding priest, who then places them on the altar after the prayer, “Blessed are you . . . .” If more than one vessel is used, the deacon pours a little water into the principal vessel only. 
• If incense is used, the deacon assists the presiding priest with the incensing of the gifts and the altar. Afterward, the deacon or another minister incenses the presiding priest, the ministers, and the people. 
• During the Eucharistic Prayer, the deacon stands slightly behind the presiding priest to assist with the chalice or the Sacramentary. The deacon bows or genuflects as the presider does following the words of institution.  
• At the final doxology of the eucharistic prayer, sung/said only by the priest, the deacon stands next to the presiding priest, holding up the chalice as the presiding priest raises the paten, until the deacon and the people have concluded singing the acclamation, “Amen”. 
• At the Sign of Peace, the presiding priest says the prayer for peace and greets the assembly. The deacon then invites all to exchange the sign of peace, saying in these (or similar) words, “Let us offer each other the sign of peace.”
  The deacon exchanges the sign with the presiding priest and with other ministers who are near. 
• After the priest’s Communion, the deacon receives Communion under both kinds from the priest and then assists the priest in distributing Communion to the people. The deacon administers the chalice to the communicants. 
• When distribution of Communion is completed, the deacon immediately and reverently consumes all the Blood of Christ that remains at the altar or credence table, assisted, if necessary by other deacons, the priest or Communion
  ministers. 
• The deacon returns to the altar and collects any remaining fragments. If necessary, the deacon places the remaining eucharistic bread in the tabernacle. The deacon then takes the chalice and remaining vessels to the credence table, where they are purified and arranged in the usual way. Communion ministers may assist with purifying the vessels. Provided that all the Body and Blood has been reserved and / or consumed, it is permissible for the vessels to be purified after Mass. The paten (ciboria) is (are) usually wiped with the purificator used with the chalice. 

Concluding Rite

• The priest, deacon, commentator or lector may make brief announcements after the Prayer After Communion. They are NOT made at the lectern. 
• The presiding priest gives the Greeting, “The Lord be with you.” 
• If the Blessing is a solemn blessing or a prayer over the people, the deacon says, “Bow your heads and pray for God’s blessing.”  
• The deacon, with hands joined, dismisses the people saying: “Go in faith. The Mass is ended.” Or “Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.” Or “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord with your life.” Or “Go in peace.” 
• Along with the presiding priest, the deacon kisses the altar, makes the proper reverence, and leaves in the manner followed for the entrance procession. 

AT EPISCOPAL EUCHARISTIC LITURGY 

All of the above described actions take place with these additions

Introductory Rite

• When with the Bishop in procession the deacon walks in front of him never at the bishop’s side.

Liturgy of the Word

• Following the Gospel proclamation, he carries the book to the Bishop to be reverenced with a kiss. The Gospel book is then carried to a place of honor.

Liturgy of the Eucharist

• With the Bishop, receives the gifts of bread and wine from the faithful.
• Prepares the chalice in the customary way. 
• Assists the Bishop with placing incense in the thurible, stays at the Bishop’s side as he incenses the bread and wine and the altar. 
• Incenses the Bishop, concelebrants, people. 
• Receives the Bishop’s zuchetta and places it on his chair.
  

Concluding Rite 

• Precedes the Bishop in procession.
  

 How to Become a Deacon?

The permanent diaconate can be conferred on single men 25 or older, and on married men 35 or older, but an older age can be required by the episcopal conference.

The permanent diaconate formation period in the Roman Catholic Church varies from diocese to diocese as it is determined by the local ordinary. But it usually entails a year of prayerful preparation, a four- or five-year training period that resembles a collegiate course of study, and a year of post-ordination formation as well as the need for lifelong continuing education credits. 

Diaconal candidates receive instruction in philosophy, theology, study of the Holy Scriptures (the Bible), homiletics, sacramental studies, evangelization, ecclesiology, counseling, and pastoral care and ministry before ordination. Although they are assigned to work in a parish by the diocesan bishop, once assigned, deacons are under the supervision of the parish pastor. Unlike most clerics, permanent deacons who also have a secular profession have no right to receive a salary for their ministry, but many dioceses opt to remunerate them anyway.

Title & Style

During a formal introduction, a Permanent Deacon should be introduced as “Deacon (First and Last Name).” 

He should be directly addressed as “Deacon (Last Name)” 

On paper, as “Deacon (First and Last Name).” 

A permanent deacon is not styled "Father" as a priest would be, but as "Deacon", abbreviated as "Dn." or "Dcn."

Dress of Deacons

Transitional deacons dress as priests. Permanent deacons likewise dress as priests whenever they use ecclesiastical dress, according to the provisions of their region. The universal law does not oblige them to wear clerical dress as other clerics.

The decision as to whether deacons wear the Roman collar as street attire is left to the discretion of each bishop for his own diocese. Where clerical garb is approved by the bishop, the deacon can choose to wear or not wear the "collar".

Deacon’s Vestments

The vestments most particularly associated with the Western Rite Catholic deacon are the alb, stole and dalmatic. 

Deacons, like priests and bishops, must wear their albs and stoles; deacons place the stole over their left shoulder and it hangs across to their right side, while priests and bishops wear it around their necks. 

The dalmatic, a vestment especially associated with the deacon, is worn during the celebration of the Mass and other liturgical functions; its use is more liberally applied than the corresponding vestment of the priest, the chasuble. At certain major celebrations, such as ordinations, the diocesan bishop wears a dalmatic under his chasuble.