Permant deacons

  • Thread starter Thread starter down_under
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
There is lots of information about what the deacon does in Mass in the 2002 General Introduction to the Roman Missal (GIRM) which can be accessed from romanrite.com/girm.html .

In the section “Mass With a Deacon” (n. 171-186) it has:
“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.”
 
JKirkLVNV said:
Most Rev. is the norm in the Roman Catholic Church. You’re correct about the Anglicans reserving it to Archbhishops, but we don’t. Rt. Rev. (what the Anglicans call their bishops) is what we used to use to address a monsignor, but we don’t any more.
Click to expand...
Here in Britain, it’s always Rt Rev for standard bishops, and Most Rev for Archbishops. Is this wrong, then?
 
Titus said:
Here in Britain, it’s always Rt Rev for standard bishops, and Most Rev for Archbishops. Is this wrong, then?
Click to expand...
Well, I don’t really know, since do you not address your bishops as “Your Grace?” We address ours as “Your Excellency.” May it’s different with “Rt. Rev.” and “Most Rev.” as well.
 
In the UK when I was RC it was
My Lord for a Bishop ,
Your Grace for an Archbishop
 
My Lord and Your Grace, though rarely used, are spoken styles. Rt Rev and Most Rev are written styles. I don’t think there is a norm for either, since all sorts are heard. But cardinals are always ‘Your Eminence’.
 
Titus said:
My Lord and Your Grace, though rarely used, are spoken styles. Rt Rev and Most Rev are written styles. I don’t think there is a norm for either, since all sorts are heard. But cardinals are always ‘Your Eminence’.
Click to expand...
In the US, it is normally:

Addressing verbally:
Your Eminence - for cardinals
Your Excellency - for auxillary bishops, bishops, & archbishops
Monsignor - for monsignor
Father - for priests
Deacon - for deacons

Written:
His Eminence - for cardinals
Most Reverend - for auxillary bishops, bishops, & archbishops
Very Reverend - for priest who are vicar generals, chancellors, vicar foraine
Reverend Monsignor - for monsignors
Reverend or Reverend Fr - for priests
Reverend or Reverend Mr. - for deacons

Hope that helps.
 
down_under said:
I asked the apologist and got nothing to date. so maybe someone else can help me. I really dont understand this whole permant deacon business. I understand that it is a perfectly ligitimate position and that it is something of a new animal. or perhaps a revived one. The thing is we have a new perment decon here at my parish in perth australia. they have him titled as a reverand in the bullitin. He holds the chalace up during consicration kind of like he were con celebrating, but he says nothing. He mixes the water and wine then hands the cup to the priest. he says the homily. he reads the gospel. does anyone know with any certainty where the line is drawn between preist and permant decon. because we at our parish are really becomming furstrated with the whole question.
Click to expand...
Well the traditional title is “Rev.Mr” though apparently this has been suppressed in the US for the simple “Deacon” maybe for your parish Rev was a (misguided) compromise? Or perhaps you misread? At any rate you can have it fixed fairly easily just the addition of “Mr” or changed to “Deacon”.

From what you describe, what your Deacon is doing is fine, though the Priest should be saying the homily more often than him (I think there are liturgical guidelines somewhere on it).

But basically it is the Deacon’s job to: Preach the Gospel and help the Priest at Mass (preparing the Chalice as you described).

A Deacon can however; Baptize, witness marriages and give Eucharistic Benediction (in certain circumstances, the Priest is still more preferred but if he’s unavailable or is hearing confessions but still in Church its ok) and a Deacon can most certainly preach. They are also ordinary ministers of Holy Communion.
 
My Archbishop has announced our Archdiocese will be restoring the Ministry of the Permanent Diaconate.

I had never heard of this role within the Church.

Our Diocese’s web page has a great explanation on it all.

catholicdeacon.org.au/
 
GIRM:
  1. The Homily should ordinarily be given by the priest celebrant himself. He may entrust it to a concelebrating priest or occasionally, according to circumstances, to the deacon, but never to a lay person.65 In particular cases and for a just cause, the homily may even be given by a Bishop or a priest who is present at the celebration but cannot concelebrate.
Click to expand...
However, in practice, deacons regularly give homilies. If they’re good homilists, I’m happy for them to do it. 👍
 
down_under said:
I asked the apologist and got nothing to date. so maybe someone else can help me. I really dont understand this whole permant deacon business. I understand that it is a perfectly ligitimate position and that it is something of a new animal. or perhaps a revived one. The thing is we have a new perment decon here at my parish in perth australia. they have him titled as a reverand in the bullitin. He holds the chalace up during consicration kind of like he were con celebrating, but he says nothing. He mixes the water and wine then hands the cup to the priest. he says the homily. he reads the gospel. does anyone know with any certainty where the line is drawn between preist and permant decon. because we at our parish are really becomming furstrated with the whole question.
Click to expand...
Deacons receive the sacrament of Holy Orders. What he is doing is perfectly legit. He can also read the Gospel and preach. He can Baptize and Marry people.

The history of the deaconate goes back to the early Christians. Deacons were known as the eyes and ears of the Bishop, being they reported directly to them. This didn’t sit well with the presbyters AKA priest. So, there was much pressure to phase them out, which is what happened over the centuries.

Years ago I went through 12 weeks of discernment, to see if God was calling me to be a Deacon. He was not. However, it was one of the most rewarding 12 weeks I’ve had in my life.

The most holy people I’ve met in the Church are deacons. The majority work without pay, and it’s a thankless job.

If you happen to see a home with a law 12 inches high, it could be a deacon’s home. 🙂

Jim
 
JimR-OCDS said:
Deacons receive the sacrament of Holy Orders. What he is doing is perfectly legit. He can also read the Gospel and preach. He can Baptize and Marry people.

The history of the deaconate goes back to the early Christians. Deacons were known as the eyes and ears of the Bishop, being they reported directly to them. This didn’t sit well with the presbyters AKA priest. So, there was much pressure to phase them out, which is what happened over the centuries.

Years ago I went through 12 weeks of discernment, to see if God was calling me to be a Deacon. He was not. However, it was one of the most rewarding 12 weeks I’ve had in my life.

The most holy people I’ve met in the Church are deacons. The majority work without pay, and it’s a thankless job.

If you happen to see a home with a lawn 12 inches high, it could be a deacon’s home. 🙂

Jim
Click to expand...
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top