Permanent Deacons

Permanent Deacons

In the early Church, some men were called to become deacons, ordained ministers who served the people of God under the direction of the Bishop. As a response to the recommendations of the Second Vatican Council, the Bishops of Canada reactivated the order of permanent deacons in 1969.

The title "deacon" comes from the Greek word "diakonos," which means "servant." Though all Christians by baptism are called to "diakonia," or service, deacons serve as a public sacramental sign of Christ in and at the service of the world. Like a priest, a deacon is a member of the clergy who shares in the ministry of the Bishop. Unlike a priest, he may also have a wife, a family, and a secular job. The diaconate is a distinct vocation, or calling, to imitate Christ in His service to all humanity, to bring the world to Christ and Christ to the world.

A deacon is just as engaged in his ministry when he is at home or at work. He is a permanent sign of Christ the Servant, no matter where he is, or what he is doing. Deacons do not celebrate Mass, hear confessions, or anoint the sick; they extend the sacramental presence of Christ's service outside of the church and into the secular world. Diaconal service is modeled after the threefold apostolic ministry of the Bishop:

A deacon personally serves the poor, the aged, the sick, and the imprisoned, bringing the Gospel to all those in need. He preaches and practices social justice.

Deacons proclaim the Gospel and preach at liturgical celebrations. They provide catechetical instruction, adult faith formation, and sacramental preparation.

Deacons assist priests during Mass, administer baptisms, witness marriages, preside at funerals and wakes, officiate at Benediction and lead community prayer services.

Deacons in Scripture and in the Church

The Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 6, tells of the selection of seven deacons, among them, Stephen, to serve the ordinary tasks of charity and the laying on of hands which gave them ministerial powers. Chapter 7 tells us about Stephen's great wisdom and testimony and martyrdom.

The word "deacon" comes from the Greek diakonos meaning servant. Deacons serve as ministers of the Word, the liturgy and charity. Their liturgical vestment, the stole is worn over the left shoulder only, symbolically leaving the right arm free for service.

The Western Church lost the permanent diaconate in the first millennium while the Eastern Church didn't. In 1967, Pope Paul VI issued an official letter to the Church restoring the permanent diaconate while retaining the transitional diaconate before the priesthood.

Pope Paul VI described deacons as "the animators of the Church's servant-character." This servant ideal was given by Jesus at the Last Supper: "So, if I, your Lord and teacher have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have set you an example that you also should do as I have done to you" (John 13.14-15).

Paul's Philippians hymn told us Jesus "emptied himself taking the form of a slave" (2.6-7). Following Jesus' example, we are to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 13.14).  How empowering it is for deacons to be called "animators of the Church's servant-character" and to be servant-leaders!

Deacons are ordained clergy. They serve by assisting the priest. At Mass, they read the Gospel at Mass and preach.

They announce the intercessory prayers at mass and identify the needs of the community.

Deacons are ordinary ministers of Communion and are proper ministers of the cup.  They purify the vessels after Communion.

Deacons are ordinary ministers of Baptism. Laity can administer the simple form of Baptism but deacons and priests are ordinary ministers of the full official rites of Baptism.

Deacons preside at funerals and weddings where there is no Mass. They lead services such as Benediction, Liturgies of the Word, Morning and Evening Prayer. Deacons may give blessings in the name of the Church. They may serve as parish administrators or in other diocesan positions.

Deacons exercise the service of charity according to community needs and their own gifts and time.

There are two types of Deacon.

"Transitional deacons" are men who are serving as deacons for a short time before they become ordained as priests.  

"Permanent deacons" are single or married men who do not intend to be ordained as priests but wish to serve the Church permanently as deacons.  Permanent deacons normally continue their employment and they are not compensated monetarily by the Church.  Their first duty remains to their family and their employment. Permanent deacons minister to the needy and sick, to the elderly and shut-ins, to mentally or physically disabled, in homes, hospitals, prisons and on the streets. They often identify needs, initiate programs and train parishioners for charitable ministries. They may lead or resource parish education programs such as RCIA or sacramental preparation.

Candidates for the Permanent Diaconate must undertake several years of formation and instruction in scripture, theology, preaching, evangelization, counselling and pastoral care.  Deacons' wives also participate in the training and in the ministries.

Permanent Deacons are appointed to parishes by the bishop and serve under a pastor's supervision. Their proper title of address is "Deacon."  The sign of a deacon is a stole worn sideways or a cross with a stole across it.

Permanent Deacons are obliged to recite the Divine Office every day.  In short, a deacon is a sacramental sign of "Christ the servant" alive in the ministry of the Church today.