Can Deacons bless Chalices and Patens?

[PazzoGrande]

Can Deacons do this or is it only something priests can do?

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

Can Deacons do this or is it only something priests can do?

I don’t think so, but my real question is: Why would they need to, since by definition such are only useful to a priest who could bless them?

 

[FrDavid96]

Can Deacons do this or is it only something priests can do?

No. Only a priest can bless either.

Deacons can do only those blessings that are specifically designated for deacons.

There are 2 reasons deacons cannot do this blessing:

1. The more a blessing (or the thing being blessed) is attached to the public liturgy of the Church, the less a deacon can do any particular blessing. For example, the dedication of a new church building is very much attached to public liturgy, so a priest (sacerdos) is required; a bishop is preferred to a presbyter.
2. Only a priest can actually use a chalice and paten. Yes, a deacon has his part in using them, but in the context of Mass, where the priest is the celebrant. Since the chalice “belongs” (searching for a better word) to the order of priests, a priest is required to bless one.

The last part is not so much a reason as it is a direct answer: the ritual books clearly require a sacerdos (bishop or presbyter) to bless a chalice and/or paten.