What is the deacon’s job in church? I mean the ones I’ve met gave mass and was able to baptize babies. They can marry. but they can’t perfom marriages, hear confessions, or do other functions that a regular priest does. Can a woman be deacon?
I’m not sure what you mean by “gave Mass”. Deacons assist the priest at Mass (they have a specific role there) but they cannot celebrate Mass. They may lead a Liturgy of the Word with Communion (Communion Service) and the Liturgy of the Hours.What is the deacon’s job in church? I mean the ones I’ve met gave mass and was able to baptize babies. They can marry. but they can’t perfom marriages, hear confessions, or do other functions that a regular priest does. Can a woman be deacon?
I would only add that they are first and foremost …ordained ministers (their are three ordination levels…deacon…priest…bishop)…they must be ordained by a bishop jsut like a priest…and they serve in all the liturgies…they can do conduct the Benediction Services/Adoration…officiate at funerals/burials (less the Mass…this is quite important to remember…they **can’t **celebrate the Mass or the Sacrament of Reconciliation) and most often…have a particular ministry…e.g., spiritual guidance, teaching RCIA or Adult Faith formation (for adults already baptized)…serve as chaplain to prisons, hospitals, rest homes…work with poor/homeless/addicted persons…serve the diocese or the parish in administrative and/or financial positions director…run the local Catholic Charities or Saint Vincent de Paul Society charity and social services…etc. They can also lead devotionals such as the Stations of the Cross, Rosary, Divine Mercy, etc.Deacons can baptize, marry (be married and marry others), read/sing the Gospel, preach, and distribute Holy Communion.
“Gave mass”? If by that you mean they preside at Mass, they don’t. While at Mass they read the gospel, assist at the altar, and are ordinary ministers of the Eucharist.What is the deacon’s job in church? I mean the ones I’ve met gave mass and was able to baptize babies. They can marry. but they can’t perfom marriages, hear confessions, or do other functions that a regular priest does. Can a woman be deacon?
I love to split hairs, however the Mass is described as being “Read” (a favorite of Abp. Sheen) Prayed, Given, Offered, and Presided over, and in the East, Served (Many Eastern Catholics and Orthodox speak of the priest “Serving the Liturgy” as he is preforming a Liturgy, or Public Service). As the priest really does all of them, and as Jesus Himself is the victim and primary priest at every Mass, through his vicar, the priest we see offering the Mass in persona Christi. This is one area where I don’t really want to split hairs.“Gave mass”? If by that you mean they preside at Mass, they don’t. While at Mass they read the gospel, assist at the altar, and are ordinary ministers of the Eucharist.
Deacons can baptize and can witness marriages that occur outside of Mass.
Deacons are ordained and the Catholic Church does not ordain women.
Married men can become deacons but once they are ordained they cannot marry.
This page from the USCCB has frequently asked questions about deacons: usccb.org/deacon/faqs.shtml
You probably inferred this from the responses above, but to answer your second question specifically - no. Since the deaconate is part of Holy Orders, women cannot be ordained deacons.What is the deacon’s job in church? I mean the ones I’ve met gave mass and was able to baptize babies. They can marry. but they can’t perfom marriages, hear confessions, or do other functions that a regular priest does. Can a woman be deacon?
Deacons are NOT ordinary ministers of the Eucharist. They are ordinary ministers of Holy Communion. The difference is that in order to be an ordinary minister of the Eucharist, they must be able to consecrate the Eucharist, which is reserved to a priest or bishop. Although the deacon cannot consecrate the Eucharist, they are ordinary ministers of Holy Communion in that they are one of the ministers ordinarily tasked with such a duty. They are also the proper minister of the chalice, in that they ought to administer the Precious Blood if communing under both species.“Gave mass”? If by that you mean they preside at Mass, they don’t. While at Mass they read the gospel, assist at the altar, and are **ordinary ministers of the Eucharist. **
Deacons can baptize and can witness marriages that occur outside of Mass.
Deacons are ordained and the Catholic Church does not ordain women.
Married men can become deacons but once they are ordained they cannot marry.
This page from the USCCB has frequently asked questions about deacons: usccb.org/deacon/faqs.shtml
you met no deacons who can “give Mass”. Only a priest can validly celebrate Mass. A deacon can, at least in this country, preside over a communion service in the absence of a priest, witness marriages, and baptize babies. Only a priest can baptize adults at RCIA since they are confirmed at the same time, and only a priest has the faculty to confirm at this time. Only priests can hear confessions. Deacons may not marry, although a married man may be ordained as a deacon. No, a woman cannot be a deacon because women are not called to ordination in the Catholic Church. Deacons are strongly associated with the bishop and have specific roles when he is present, and they always have specific roles at Mass–proclaiming the gospel, for instance.What is the deacon’s job in church? I mean the ones I’ve met gave mass and was able to baptize babies. They can marry. but they can’t perfom marriages, hear confessions, or do other functions that a regular priest does. Can a woman be deacon?