C
CatholicLife
Guest
I want to become a deacon in the future however , I would like to serve in the Latin Mass. Is this possible?
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A
Abenadar
Guest
Sure. Become a decon for when you’re at the OF, and just serve as an altar boy when at the EF.
BAM, problem solved.
You’re welcome.
C
CatholicLife
Guest
What I was saying is if men are allowed to become deacons an only participate in the latin mass. Sorry of the post sounds confusing but I didn’t know hoe to write it down.
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dulaccin
Guest
b back l8er, bro, 
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Spirithound
Guest
If you would be a diocesan permanent deacon, you would be under obedience to your bishop. If you have a devotion to the EF, and your area has an EF, perhaps you should talk to your bishop about that. The deacon does have a role in the EF, you would not be simply an altar boy.
I don’t know whether the FSSP accepts deacons.
J
JReducation
Guest
A deacon is an ordained member of the clergy and has a proper place in the liturgy, both forms. A validly ordained deacon can assist at an EF mass. He can also witness marriages, bury the dead, and baptize in the EF. This can be done through the EF in your diocese or through a clerical society that celebrates the EF exclusively. You would have to look around and ask some questions of the local Vocation Director.
Fraternally,
Br. JR, OSF
Fraternally,
Br. JR, OSF
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corsair
Guest
Well, I’ve been to alot of EF Masses and have never seen a “permanent” Deacon assist.
For one thing, a Deacon is not required for anything but a Solemn High Mass or Pontifical High Mass. Only the priest celebrates at a low Mass or Missa Cantata.
Having said all that, it may be possible. I’m sure it will or has been done within local Diocese’s. However, I don’t think the FSSP or Institute of Christ the King or any of the other “approved” Traditional Societies permits such a thing. And I know that the SSPX does not.
Even at EWTN, when they have a EF Mass celebrated by their priests, Deacon Bill Stettlemeir sit in the pews.
It would be great if there is a priest looking at these forums that could give their opinion.
For one thing, a Deacon is not required for anything but a Solemn High Mass or Pontifical High Mass. Only the priest celebrates at a low Mass or Missa Cantata.
Having said all that, it may be possible. I’m sure it will or has been done within local Diocese’s. However, I don’t think the FSSP or Institute of Christ the King or any of the other “approved” Traditional Societies permits such a thing. And I know that the SSPX does not.
Even at EWTN, when they have a EF Mass celebrated by their priests, Deacon Bill Stettlemeir sit in the pews.
It would be great if there is a priest looking at these forums that could give their opinion.
C
Chatter163
Guest
Sure it is done–I was the MC this past Sunday where a permanent deacon served as subdeacon of the Mass. It may not happen too frequently, but I have seen it done many times.
The point is that as a permanent deacon, one is obliged to one’s own bishop and serve where he directs. One may get fortunate occasionally and be able to serve a Solemn Mass in the EF, but this is generally the exception, rather than the norm. One is ordained because one is called to service, and not simply serving as a deacon or subdeacon at a Solemn EF Mass.
The point is that as a permanent deacon, one is obliged to one’s own bishop and serve where he directs. One may get fortunate occasionally and be able to serve a Solemn Mass in the EF, but this is generally the exception, rather than the norm. One is ordained because one is called to service, and not simply serving as a deacon or subdeacon at a Solemn EF Mass.
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ncjohn
Guest
While I’m sure that it can be done, the priests that I have heard from who celebrate the EF really don’t want anything to do with permanent deacons as they feel it blurs the line between priest and laity, along with what they believe is creating confusion about celibacy since deacons can be married even if they can’t remarry. As such, at least in our diocese, I have not seen any of the traditionalist-leaning priests willing to have deacons in their parish.
That may not be universal but I tend to think it is the general position. I have no particular opinion about it one way or another…just making an observation.
That may not be universal but I tend to think it is the general position. I have no particular opinion about it one way or another…just making an observation.
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ProVobis
Guest
Cute.Sure. Become a decon for when you’re at the OF, and just serve as an altar boy when at the EF.
BAM, problem solved.
You’re welcome.
The role of a deacon is very different than being a server, especially at a Solemn High Mass. In fact there you also have a subdeacon, whose role can be filled by a deacon as well. The subdeacon sings the epistle and the deacon sings the gospel amongst other things. The deacon may also serve as the master of ceremonies or thurifer or acolyte as well.
The Solemn High Mass, a thing of beauty. Check it out.
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James0235
Guest
I am not sure if they are still at the parish or not but I do know that at one time St. Francis De Sales, an FSSP parish in Mableton Georgia near Atlanta had 2 permanent deacons assigned there. These men were diocesan permanent deacons and not members of the FSSP.
They are not currently mentioned on the website of the parish. But, they were listed there at least as recently as October of 2007.
James
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JReducation
Guest
We have to make a distinction here between the statutes of the different societies and the theology of Holy Orders. Societies and institutes have the legal right to decide whether their members can be permanent deacons or not. Even religious orders and religious congregations have that power. I know that in my own Francsican tradition we have very few permanent deacons. The reason is simple. A deacon is a cleric. If we do not keep some control over the number of ordained friars the Franciscan Order runs the danger of becoming an order of clerics. It is not. It is an order of brothers; therefore, there is no provision in the constitutions for permanent deacons or priests. Ordination to either the diaconate or priesthood is a perrogative of the religious superior who, as Christ’s voice in the community, calls men to Holy Orders. This may be the same policy in the FSSP, Christ the King, the Canons of St. John and other institututes.
However, the deacon is ordained for the service of the bishop. This dates back to the first deacons. Therefoere, the bishop has the right to call men to the diaconate and to assign them to any parish in his diocese, even those that are staffed by religious or clerical societies. The local pastor must accept the assignment. If an institute or religious community staffs the parish and they have a problem with a permanent deacon on their staff, they have to work it out with the bishop. But they cannot reject the deacon or deny him faculties to function as a deacon. Only the bishop has the authority over a parish. Institutes, societies, congregations, and orders simply staff parishes. They are not the Ordinary of the parish. That is the bishop’s role.
The idea that a deacon blurs the difference between the laity and the priesthood is not a valid argument. A deacon is not a lay man. He is as much a cleric as is a priest and a bishop. He shares with them in the Sacrament of Holy Orders. He can no more be a lay man, than he can be a piece of cheese. Once ordained he belongs to the clerical state until death.
This does not mean that pastors are going to welcome having a deacon on their staff. It simply means that the pastor has no authority over the assignment of the deacon to the parish. He has to work out the issues with the bishop.
Fraternally,
Br. JR, OSF
However, the deacon is ordained for the service of the bishop. This dates back to the first deacons. Therefoere, the bishop has the right to call men to the diaconate and to assign them to any parish in his diocese, even those that are staffed by religious or clerical societies. The local pastor must accept the assignment. If an institute or religious community staffs the parish and they have a problem with a permanent deacon on their staff, they have to work it out with the bishop. But they cannot reject the deacon or deny him faculties to function as a deacon. Only the bishop has the authority over a parish. Institutes, societies, congregations, and orders simply staff parishes. They are not the Ordinary of the parish. That is the bishop’s role.
The idea that a deacon blurs the difference between the laity and the priesthood is not a valid argument. A deacon is not a lay man. He is as much a cleric as is a priest and a bishop. He shares with them in the Sacrament of Holy Orders. He can no more be a lay man, than he can be a piece of cheese. Once ordained he belongs to the clerical state until death.
This does not mean that pastors are going to welcome having a deacon on their staff. It simply means that the pastor has no authority over the assignment of the deacon to the parish. He has to work out the issues with the bishop.
Fraternally,
Br. JR, OSF
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