What to get a new Deacon

[Catholictrain]

We are blessed to be going to a diaconate ordination in which 12 men will be ordained as permanent deacons and one young man, my son, will be ordained to the transitional diaconate. We are having a reception for about 100 people after the ordination to celebrate my son’s ordination. Many of the people who we invited have asked what present to get my son. He does not want or need anything (so he says), so I am at a loss as to what to tell them. Some people have mentioned donating to a “purse”… which apparently is something done for priestly ordinations. The purse would then be used for the new priest as he wishes. Another person suggested a fund to purchase a chalice and paten for when he is ordained a priest. However I always thought that was traditionally taken care of by the parents of the priest if they had the means to purchase this. Has anyone been through this or been to a diaconate ordination and seen whether gifts are the norm? Also, what do we give to our other friends who are becoming permanent deacons? Do we just get a card for them?

Thanks for any advice you may be able to provide.

 

[TAS2000]

I’m just guessing as I have no idea what is traditional, but I do know that our deacon has his own robes (being very general to cover the whole ensemble) and that they can be very expensive, so you might suggest they can pitch in and buy different items for him. Often there are different pieces that can vary in price, and you can use a wide variety for the different feasts and occasions. Plus then he will have something that fits him, instead of using the parish robes which might be a foot too short or a foot too long. For his retirement our parish gave our old priest a very nice stole that he uses frequently (retired priests are always still serving mass for someone.)

Just kicking out ideas.

 

[Catholictrain]

Thanks for the reply. There must be a list somewhere of “things that deacons and priests could use upon starting out in their vocations”

I just wish I knew where to get such a list…

 

[Mattapoisett64]

Some thoughts:

A deacon is just starting his preaching career - maybe an Amazon gift cerificate to be used for buying books to assist with homily preparation (there are lots of such books but typically too specialized to be carried in the local Barnes & Noble or Borders).

His own Pyx (the small gold container used to hold the Eucharist when bringing it to the homebound)

A small sprinkler - deacons do cemetery committals, he’ll need this to bless the grave, or for house blessings.

Chances are by ordination a new deacon already has his own set of the Liturgy of the Hours, at least one alb, and several stoles. He might appreciate a stole / dalmatic set in one of the less-frequently used colors (such as red) that he might not have already purchased on his own.

If the diocese is one that permits deacons to wear the Roman collar, perhaps a clerical shirt.