Is a Mass with a Deacon Always Preferable?

[Silverburg]

If a deacon is available is a Mass with a Deacon always preferable to one without a deacon per the Church? Most of the Masses at my parish are celebrated by our pastor, parochial vicar or one of two retired priests. All four were obviously given great gifts as to how they are able to celebrate the Mass.

On the other hand our deacon does not appear similarly gifted when it comes to the Mass. His voice is horribly grating, he is a poor proclaimer of the Gospel (he has trouble reading), he preaches poorly and he doesn’t seem to know how to accurately turn the pages of the Sacramentary. Worst of all (and yes I know some will feel the need to flame me for this) he offends people with a terribly arrogant attitude except when our pastor is around.

As dispassionately as I can muster, I just want to ask if a Mass is always better with a Deacon in the eyes of the Church?

 

[brothergiles]

The functions of a Deacon can be preformed by any ordained clergy. The Deacon is only there to assist. He is not necessary, but can be a real aid to the celebrant. The Deacon you are concerned with will most likely move on at some point. But, no matter how you feel; you must see beyond your likes and dislikes and be one with the Mass. Also, pray for the Deacon and yourself, that you both may rectify your short comings.

 

[PAboy57]

just to add some perspective.

we have 2 deacons. 1 in MHO is very good at functions and the other is not so good. i believe they both love God a tremendous amount. agree with the prayer.

i also just feel they kind of are in the way at Mass. On the other hand they are a real big help with other functions and give the priest a chance to do some other things.

 

[Silverburg]

I wasn’t trying to judge the deacon. By most measures it just doesn’t appear he was gifted in terms of speaking, reading and preaching ability or in the other things a deacon does at Mass. His arrogant/showboat attitude (except around our pastor) has been well-honed during his 15-20 years as a pretend deacon (altar server.) He does have a negative impact on Masses he takes part in. There is no question about that. That just made me wonder if having a deacon at a Mass is always considered a good thing by the Church and perhaps that’s why he is allowed to continue?

 

[Breviarylover]

Good article about Deacon’s duties and gestures: (a little off topic)

ewtn.com/Library/Liturgy/zlitur129.htm

Answered by Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum university.

Q: I train deacons in the pastoral administration of the sacraments and laity in participating in the liturgy. Recently a deacon had some queries for me: a) Does the deacon also raise the chalice or paten together with the celebrant at the doxology at the conclusion of the Eucharistic Prayer? b) After the celebrant gives the blessing at the end of the Eucharist, when the deacon is sending forth the people, “Go you are sent forth …,” does he pronounce the words by spreading out his hands like the priest does at the “Lord be with you”? Or does he pronounce the words with joined hands? c) Is a deacon allowed to give the blessing with the Eucharist at the Benediction? — F.P., Kolkata, India

A: The first question is clearly answered by the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), No. 180:

“At the final doxology of the Eucharistic Prayer, the deacon stands next to the priest, holding the chalice elevated while the priest elevates the paten with the host, until the people have responded with the acclamation, Amen.”

Note that the deacon holds up the chalice in silence and does not join in singing or saying the doxology.

Regarding the second query, the GIRM, in Nos. 184-185, on the concluding rites specifically states that the deacon dismisses the people with hands joined:

"184. Once the prayer after Communion has been said, the deacon makes brief announcements to the people, if indeed any need to be made, unless the priest prefers to do this himself.

“185. If a prayer over the people or a solemn formula for the blessing is used, the deacon says, ‘Inclinate vos ad benedictionem’ (Bow your heads and pray for God’s blessing). After the priest’s blessing, the deacon, with hands joined and facing the people, dismisses them, saying, ‘Ite, missa est’ (The Mass is ended, go in peace).”

The deacon also keeps his hands joined for the greeting “The Lord be with you” before reading the Gospel, and while saying “Let us offer each other the sign of peace.”

…

You can read the rest at the EWTN Library.

 

[John_Lilburne]

In addition to the Sunday obligation that applies to all Catholics, the Code of Canon Law has about deacons:
“Can. 276 §2 … 2° … priests are therefore earnestly invited to offer the eucharistic Sacrifice daily, and deacons to participate daily in the offering;”
(The Code of Canon Law: New revised English Translation, HarperCollins Liturgical, 1997, ISBN 000599375X. Another translation is at vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_INDEX.HTM ).

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal has a section “Mass with a Deacon” which describes his roles. There is no suggestion that he not participate according to those roles.

The 2004 Instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum has:
“[128.] Holy Mass and other liturgical celebrations, which are acts of Christ and of the
people of God hierarchically constituted, are ordered in such a way that the sacred ministers
and the lay faithful manifestly take part in them each according to his own condition. It is
preferable therefore that “Priests who are present at a Eucharistic Celebration, unless
excused for a good reason, should as a rule exercise the office proper to their Order and
thus take part as concelebrants, wearing the sacred vestments. Otherwise, they wear their
proper choir dress or a surplice over a cassock.”[footnote 218: Missale Romanum, Institutio Generalis, n. 114 cf. nn. 16-17.] It is not fitting, except in rare and
exceptional cases and with reasonable cause, for them to participate at Mass, as regards to
externals, in the manner of the lay faithful.”

According to Vatican II’s Sacrosanctum Concilium: “28. In liturgical celebrations each person, minister or layman, who has an office to perform,
should do all of, but only, those parts which pertain to his office by the nature of the rite and
the principles of liturgy.”