Quick question: Can a Deacon bless something?

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Seamus

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I bought myself an early Christmas present, a Rosary. It just arrived in the mail and I am eager to begin praying it as soon as it is blessed. Unfortunately, I won’t run into my parish priest for a couple of days. I am lucky, however, to have a neighbor that is an ordained Deacon. Forgive me if this question is better suited for the “Duh!” folder, but can an ordained Deacon bless my Rosary beads? I don’t want to bring my new Rosary beads over to my neighbor only to look like an idiot.

Thanks and Merry Christmas to everyone.
 
I pray from Rosaries that have not been blessed (I Rosary rescue at flea markets etc.) - and will carry more than one with me. I pray on any one that I grab out of my purse…

When I get a chance at Church, I’ll reach in the purse and pull out all I am carrying around and have the blessed - then, I usually start giving them away. I only give away blessed rosaries - (or course, I’m odd).
 
Yes. A deacon can indeed bless many objects to be used for religious devotion, homes, cars, businesses and, of course, people. There are some blessings that are reserved to priests and even more that are reserved for bishops. Deacons are commonly involved in the visitation of the sick and are ordinary (as opposed to “extraordinary”) ministers of communion. In other words, it is by virtue of their ordination that they are authorized to take communion the sick or distribute communion at Mass. They can bless people who are sick but cannot administer the sacrament of Holy Anointing of the Sick or “hear” confessions and give absolution. Many deacons are authorized by the Bishop of a Diocese to preach and oftentimes are involved in teaching the faith. They can also preside at Baptisms, witness marriage vows and pronounce the Church’s blessing, in the absence of a priest. They can officiate at a communion service (in the absence of a priest) but cannot preside at the Mass.
 
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Seamus:
I bought myself an early Christmas present, a Rosary. It just arrived in the mail and I am eager to begin praying it as soon as it is blessed. Unfortunately, I won’t run into my parish priest for a couple of days. I am lucky, however, to have a neighbor that is an ordained Deacon. Forgive me if this question is better suited for the “Duh!” folder, but can an ordained Deacon bless my Rosary beads? I don’t want to bring my new Rosary beads over to my neighbor only to look like an idiot.

Thanks and Merry Christmas to everyone.
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The short answer is “YES”, Deacons can bless objects. However, If you go over to his house you may want to bring some holy water with you (in case he’s out). I have had a Deacon bless several rosaries and medals.
 
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IanS:
The short answer is “YES”, Deacons can bless objects. However, If you go over to his house you may want to bring some holy water with you (in case he’s out). I have had a Deacon bless several rosaries and medals.
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According to the Book of Blessings approved for the USA “1465. The present order may be used by a priest or deacon.” The ceremony, “Order for the Blessing of Rosaries” at Chapter 45, has a longer, short and very short versions. But none involves holy water.

The very short version is:

“1487. In special circumstances, a priest or deacon may use the following short blessing formulary.
May this rosary and the one who uses it be blessed, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Sprit. R. Amen.”
(From The Book of Blessings, Liturgical Press, 1989, ISBN 0-8146-1875-8, page 559).
 
Thank you, everyone, for your responses. My Rosary was blessed this afternoon.
 
FYI,

*Lumen Gentium *

#29
It is the duty of the deacon, according as it shall have been assigned to him by competent authority, to administer baptism solemnly, to be custodian and dispenser of the Eucharist, to assist at and bless marriages in the name of the Church, to bring Viaticum to the dying, to read the Sacred Scripture to the faithful, to instruct and exhort the people, to preside over the worship and prayer of the faithful, to administer sacramentals, to officiate at funeral and burial services.
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IanS:
The short answer is “YES”, Deacons can bless objects. However, If you go over to his house you may want to bring some holy water with you (in case he’s out). I have had a Deacon bless several rosaries and medals.
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If he’s out, he can always Bless some more 😉
 
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Brendan:
If he’s out, he can always Bless some more 😉
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😃 Made me smile! - Very true. I still remember the first time I realized this. 😃
 
TableServant said:
😃 Made me smile! - Very true. I still remember the first time I realized this. 😃
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I’m studying for the Diaconate in the Archdiocese of Detroit. You should have seen the face of my 7 year old when he found out.

"YOU COULD MAKE HOLY WATER!!! :eek: "
 
Someone told me that the way to make Holy Water is to get a pot of water, put it on the stove, and “boil the HELL out of it.”

We need to laugh.
 
Yeah, that’s the real reason we’re getting all these deacons – defense against vampires!
 
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