Deacons

[horselvr]

Hello:

I am wondering if it is acceptable for a Deacon to say Mass.

Thanks

 

[lizaanne]

What do you mean “say Mass”? The entire thing? Only the readings? The homily?

Deacons can do some things in the Mass, but not all. What specifically are your concerns?

~Liza

 

[horselvr]

Thank you so much for such a quick response.

When I say----“say the Mass” I mean the whole thing from start to finish.

 

[the_7th_one]

Thank you so much for such a quick response.

When I say----“say the Mass” I mean the whole thing from start to finish.

It is my understanding that you need a validly ordained priest, in order to have a valid Mass. A Deacon, may assist (not sure what the limits are) but a priest must be the celebrant.

 

[horselvr]

Hey the 7th one:

Thanks for the reply. It seems this has been asked before and Fr. Serpa answered. I have copied his answer here. Thanks

"Dear A,

Deacons can preach and read the Gospel at Mass, they can baptize, witness weddings and officiate at burials. They cannot celebrate Mass because they to not have the power to consecrate the bread and the wine. This has always been the case.

Those woman who were called deaconesses were assistants to the clergy, but they were not the female equivalent to the ordained male deacon. See the Dec. 2 post by Michelle Arnold.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.

So, now I have another question pertaining to this same question.

If the bread and wine have already been consecrated would the Deacon be able to celebrate the whole Mass then?

---

Last edited by Devon Caffran; Mar 10, '09 at 7:28 pm.

 

[KFRaymond]

horselvr:

So, now I have another question pertaining to this same question.

If the bread and wine have already been consecrated would the Deacon be able to celebrate the whole Mass then?

If there is a celebration using already consecrated hosts then it is a Communion Service and not a Mass. No Eucharistic celebration means no Mass.

Hope this helps!

Sincerely,
Kevin

 

[ConstantineTG]

The Mass is only a Mass is there is a sacrifice. Only a priest can consecrate the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ, which is the sacrifice.

In the Divine Liturgy of Eastern Churches (Catholic and Orthodox), the Deacon does “say” a great majority of the Liturgy. Although the priest will mostly be praying the silent or low-tone prayers normally not heard by the congregation and he still is the one of course who consecrates the bread and wine. But from the perspective of the congregation, it is the Deacon (if present) who is “saying” most of the Liturgy.

 

[WMM]

Hello:

I am wondering if it is acceptable for a Deacon to say Mass.

Thanks

***No. you need a priest for the Consecration of the gifts.

Deacons can lead prayer services which include Holy Communion (consecrated previously at a Mass).***

 

[horselvr]

Everyone:

Thank you so much for the replies to my questions. This has cleared up for me a nagging questioned posed at Christmas dinner with my friends. Thanks so much and I will pass on all the responses. Thanks again.