A Reflection on the Permanent Diaconate

As I write this reflection Father Kevin is traveling in Italy leading a pilgrimage to connect with the heritage of his family. I’m sure he’s connecting with a little Gelato (Italian “ice cream”) too. Let’s keep Fr. Kevin and his family in our prayers.

Since having a deacon is still a novelty for our diocese, it seems to be a good time to provide some insights. The diaconate (from the Greek word “diakonia” or “to serve”) is not a new ministry nor is it an innovation of the modern Church. It has sacred origins found in the Acts of the Apostles, St. Paul’s letters and Sacred Tradition. The diaconate is ordination (solemn promises made to the Bishop) to a ministry of lifelong service to the Church. It is not the same as priesthood (celebrating Mass, forgiving sins, or anointing the sick). A deacon serves in whatever capacity the bishop deems necessary, other than the priesthood.

One source of confusion regarding the nature of the diaconate concerns the reality that priests are also ordained deacons on their way to priestly orders. During that one year period they are known as “Transitory Deacons”. In the early Church the diaconate was a permanent vocation and not part of the path to priesthood, but for practical and other reasons, the Church combined the two orders. By the 9th century deacons became almost exclusively transitory. A few of the more prominent deacons in the Church who later became Saints were: St. Stephen, the first martyr, St. Lawrence, St. Ephrem, Popes Gregory and Leo the Great (they were elected Pope from the diaconate), and St. Francis of Assisi.

During the Second Vatican Council (1961-65) the bishops worldwide, along with Pope Paul VI, reexamined the historical nature of the Office of Bishop, and concluded that a fuller realization of the Office required, among other things, a restoration of the permanent diaconate. A deacon represents Christ the servant, while a priest represents Christ the High Priest. The bishop, a successor to the Apostles, represents the fullness of both.

The diverse roles of the deacon in the early Church would be familiar to modern Church goers. Most of the liturgical and administrative ministries provided by the laity in the modern Church were often performed by deacons in ancient times: administrators, charitable services, care for the sick and dying, catechists (teachers), sacristans, ministers of holy communion, readers (including the Gospel), altar servers, cantors, ministers of welcome, etc. This is why a deacon proclaims the Gospel at Mass and is seen serving at the altar.

The Second Vatican Council listed the duties of a deacon as follows: administers Baptism, Ordinary Minister of the Eucharist, blesses Marriages, brings Viaticum to the dying, proclaims Sacred Scripture, instructs the People, presides over Worship and Prayer (in the absence of a priest), administers Sacramentals, officiates at Funeral services, and is dedicated to duties of charity and administration (Dogmatic Constitution of the Church, Ch.3, #29).

After careful study and planning, our diocese began its restoration of the permanent diaconate five years ago. Permanent Deacons in our diocese are given two types of assignments, liturgical and ministerial. Liturgically I have been assigned to St. Maria Goretti for Sunday mass. Ministerially, I have been assigned to assist with the formation of next class of candidates for the permanent diaconate. All assignments are subject to change at the discretion of the bishop.

It should be noted that a deacon serves the Church without remuneration, and must be financially independent working either in a secular occupation (many do), or working as a paid professional in a ministry separate from the diaconate. A deacon commits to giving a minimum of 10-12 hours a week to the Church. The formation for a permanent deacon in our diocese lasts between 5-7 years (this includes the time needed to complete the prerequisite ecclesial lay ministry certification (ELM), which is required for acceptance into the diaconate).

I hope this information helps with your understanding about the Permanent Diaconate. If you would like to know more, please feel free to contact me. May God bless you, and may you have a wonderful week.

In service to Christ, Deacon Steve