Question about deacons

[Della]

I’m entering an article for my dh’s KC newsletter. The author of the article wrote that a new deacon will be “making” his first Mass and in another place he wrote the new deacon will be “saying” his first Mass. I don’t think the first word really applies, and I know deacons don’t “say” Mass. So, what is the proper word to describe what a deacon does at Mass?

 

[logos33]

I’m entering an article for my dh’s KC newsletter. The author of the article wrote that a new deacon will be “making” his first Mass and in another place he wrote the new deacon will be “saying” his first Mass. I don’t think the first word really applies, and I know deacons don’t “say” Mass. So, what is the proper word to describe what a deacon does at Mass?

“Assist”

 

[Deacon_Ed]

Well, in the Western sense you could say he would be “assisting” at his first Mass (Eastern Catholic use the term “serving” for all clergy at Liturgy). The primary function of the deacon at Mass is to assist the priest in doing his role, as well as to ensure that the lower orders of ministers (altar servers, readers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion) do their functions correctly. The Eastern Catholic Churches put a special emphasis on this role as the deacon is always the Master of Ceremonies for the Liturgy. This is not as true in the Latin Rite, but the deacon is still to see to the proper ordering of the functions at Mass.

Of course, deacons may also lead Form C of the Penitential Rite, read teh Gospel, preach, and prepare the chalice (mixing the water and wine). He invites the people to share the Sign of Peace and does the dismissal at the end of Mass.

I hope that helps…

Deacon Ed

 

[Della]

Thank you, both! Since he is a deacon in the Latin Rite, I will use the word “assist.” I thought it had to be either assist or serve, so thanks again for the help and explanations.

 

[mmsiciliana]

Well, in the Western sense you could say he would be “assisting” at his first Mass (Eastern Catholic use the term “serving” for all clergy at Liturgy). The primary function of the deacon at Mass is to assist the priest in doing his role, as well as to ensure that the lower orders of ministers (altar servers, readers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion) do their functions correctly. The Eastern Catholic Churches put a special emphasis on this role as the deacon is always the Master of Ceremonies for the Liturgy. This is not as true in the Latin Rite, but the deacon is still to see to the proper ordering of the functions at Mass.

Of course, deacons may also lead Form C of the Penitential Rite, read teh Gospel, preach, and prepare the chalice (mixing the water and wine). He invites the people to share the Sign of Peace and does the dismissal at the end of Mass.

I hope that helps…

Deacon Ed

Just curious…what liturgical document says the deacon can lead Form C of the Penitential Rite?

Thanks!

Maria

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I’m entering an article for my dh’s KC newsletter. The author of the article wrote that a new deacon will be “making” his first Mass and in another place he wrote the new deacon will be “saying” his first Mass. I don’t think the first word really applies, and I know deacons don’t “say” Mass. So, what is the proper word to describe what a deacon does at Mass?

Serving or participating or Assisting, would work.

 

[John_Lilburne]

Just curious…what liturgical document says the deacon can lead Form C of the Penitential Rite?

Thanks!

Maria

The rubrics in the Order of Mass of the Roman Missal have this:
“C. The priest (or other suitable minister) makes the following or other invocations:
i
Priest:
You were sent to heal the contrite: Lord, have mercy.
The people answer:
Lord, have mercy. …”
(Roman Missal, Catholic Book Publishing Co., New York, 1985, page 361).

The rubrics in the 2002 Missale Romanum actually mention the deacon as a option:
“Postea sacerdos, vel diaconus vel alius minister, sequentes, vel alias, invocationes cum Kyrie, eleison profert:”
(Missale Romanum, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2002, ISBN: 8820972719, page 508. This can be looked up at clerus.org/bibliaclerusonline/DE/fn.htm ).

From the 2002 General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) approved for the USA, which can be accessed from romanrite.com/girm.html :
“The Kyrie Eleison
52. After the Act of Penitence, the Kyrie is always begun, unless it has already been included as part of the Act of Penitence. Since it is a chant by which the faithful acclaim the Lord and implore his mercy, it is ordinarily done by all, that is, by the people and with the choir or cantor having a part in it.
As a rule, each acclamation is sung or said twice, though it may be repeated several times, by reason of the character of the various languages, as well as of the artistry of the music or of other circumstances. When the Kyrie is sung as a part of the Act of Penitence, a trope may precede each acclamation.”

This encourages the cantor to lead the Kyrie. But the deacon could do the cantor’s job following this part of the GIRM:
“171. When he is present at the Eucharistic Celebration, a deacon should exercise his ministry, wearing sacred vestments. For the deacon
a. Assists the priest and remains at his side; …
f. As needed, fulfills the duties of other ministers himself if none of them is present.”

But with the mention of the deacon in the rubrics of the 2002 Roman Missal, ahead of another minister, no such justification is needed.