General Remarks  |  Ministry of the Deacon at Liturgy  |  Introductory Rites   |  Liturgy of the Word   |  Liturgy of the Eucharist   | 
Concluding Rite   |  When Deacons Participate as an Order at Mass   |  When the Deacon Presides at a Sunday Celebration in
Absence of a Priest OR at a Communion Service   |  Liturgy of the Hours   |  Baptism   |  Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and
Benediction   |  Marriage   |  Christian Burial   |  Blessings   |  Clerical Attire   |  Titles
 

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General Remarks
"At the Eucharist, the deacon may proclaim the Gospel, preach, voice the needs of the people in the general intercessions, assist in the presentation of the gifts, and distribute communion.  The deacon can also perform other liturgical roles, such as solemnly baptizing, witnessing marriages, bringing Viaticum to the dying, and presiding over funerals and burials.  In addition to these roles, he can also preside over liturgies of the Word, the Liturgy of the Hours, exposition and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, lead nonsacramental reconciliation services,  conduct prayer services for the sick and dying, and administer certain of the Church's sacramentals... In those instances where a deacon may wish to be a minister at a liturgical celebration in a parish or institution other than his own (e.g. marriage, baptism, funeral), he should first obtain the proper delegation."  (PDUS #42)
 
Ministry of the Deacon at Liturgy Remarks
Before Mass begins.
Of major importance to a clear understanding of how the deacon is to function at Mass are the norms set forth in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), and the Sacramentary,  (1985 revised edition).  The deacon should be thoroughly familiar with the Sacramentary and its Supplement (1994), so that he can readily find the correct presidential prayers, including the appropriate Preface, for the Mass at which he is going to assist, and place the ribbon markers in the most useful manner for the presider.
The Lectionary for Mass, Volume I:  Sundays Solemnities, Feasts of the Lord and the Saints revised in 1998 and the Lectionary for Mass, revised in 1981, both include comprehensive Introduction of nearly equal importance to the GIRM for the deacon who is seeking the official statement of his proper function in the Liturgy of the Word at Mass.  The Book of the Gospels is an optional liturgical book, containing only the Gospel readings for the three-year cycle of Sundays and Solemnities.  The deacon must know his way around both of these books, as well as he knows the Sacramentary, so that he can readily locate the Gospel reading he is to proclaim, and assist lay lectors in finding their place in the Lectionary.
Vestments for the deacon who is assisting at liturgy are alb and stole, which is worn over the left shoulder, drawn across the chest, fastened at the right side.  The dalmatic may also be worn, over stole and alb, on occasion of greater solemnity.  Vestment colors should retain traditional usage.  It is desirable, but not necessary, that the hue and design of the deacon's vestments match those of the presider's.
Functions may be distributed among several deacons who are present and vested.  The participating deacons work out among themselves the particular distribution of diaconal functions for that Mass; but the presider must give his approval of the final arrangements.
 
Introductory Rites
The deacon's exact place in the entrance procession or leave-taking recession may vary, depending upon the type and number of other ministers participating in the Mass, upon local custom, and upon the desires of the presider.  As a general rule, however, if the deacon carries the Book of the Gospels,  he proceeds the presider; otherwise, he walks at the presider's side.  (GIRM #128)
Unless the deacon is carrying the Book of the Gospels, the presider and the deacon together make a profound bow toward the altar before they enter the sanctuary.  After the Book of the Gospels (if used) has been placed on the altar, the presider and the deacon together kiss the altar.  (GIRM #129)  If incense is used, the deacon assists the presider, who puts incense into the censer and then incenses the altar.
When Form A of the Penitential Rite is used, the deacon must learn from the presider before Mass begins whether the deacon or the presider will lead the assembly in the recitation of the Confiteor.  The rubrics imply that Form B of the Penitential Rite is reserved to the presider.  In Form C, it is preferred that the deacon announce the invocations; however, the presider or another minister (e.g. the cantor) may do so.
If the Rite of Blessing and Sprinkling Holy Water is used in place of Penitential Rite, the deacon may assist the presider.
 
Liturgy of the Word
The proclamation of the Gospel is a ministerial function that properly belongs to the deacon.  (GIRM #34) however, in instances where the deacon either does not read or proclaim well, or else is ill prepared; the assembly is better served if the deacon defers to the presider, who then proclaims the Gospel.
If incense is used, the deacon assists the presider, who puts incense into the censer during the singing of the gospel acclamation.  The deacon then bows before the presider and asks for his blessing.  The presider blesses the deacon, and the deacon makes the sign of the cross.  If the Book of the Gospels is being used, the deacon takes it from the altar, holds it high, and follows the altar servers (if any) to the ambo.  From the ambo, the deacon greets the assembly in the usually way, then incenses the Book (or Lectionary) with three swings of the censer before proceeding with the text of the Gospel.  After the closing proclamation, the deacon kisses the book.  He then returns to his chair, unless it is more appropriate for him to remain at the ambo to give the homily or to announce the intentions of the General Intercessions.  (GIRM #131)
The homily is ordinarily given by the presider, although the deacon, if he has the gift for preaching and has received the necessary faculty, may do so.  (GIRM #42)
After the General Intercessions have been introduced by the presider with a brief invitation to prayer, the deacon announces the intentions from the ambo, his chair or another suitable place (but never from the alter).  The cantor or another suitable minister may announce the intentions in place of the deacon, if this is the local custom.  The presider then prays the concluding prayer.  (GIRM #132)
 
Liturgy of the Eucharist
At the Presentation of the Gifts, while the presider remains at his chair, the deacon prepares the altar (assisted by other ministers, if available) with corporal, Sacramentary, chalice and purificator.
The deacon assists the presider in receiving the gifts from the assembly, although this may be done by the deacon alone or by the presider alone.  (GIRM #133)
At the altar, the deacon prepares the chalice by pouring a small amount of water into the wine, saying quietly.  "By the mystery of the water and wine..."  The deacon then hands the chalice to the presider.  If some type of flagon only, then pours some wine into the chalice.  If incense is used, the deacon assists the presider, who puts incense into the censer and then licenses the offerings and altar.  Afterward, the deacon (or another ministry, if desired) incenses first the presider, then the other ministers then the assembly.  (GIRM #133)
During the Eucharistic Prayer, the deacon stands silently, with his hands joined, beside the slightly behind the presider.  This is true even when there are concelebrating priests.  The proper position of the deacon is always beside the presider.  (GIRM #134 & #167)
N.B.  The presider alone gives the invitation to the Memorial Acclamation.  However, this may change in the new revision of the Sacramentary.
At the Final Doxology, the deacon silently elevates the chalice, while the presider elevates the paten, until the assembly has responded, "Amen!" (GIRM #135)
At the Sign of Peace, the presider says the prayer for peace and greets the assembly.  The deacon then invites all to exchange a sign of peace.  The deacon receives the sign of peace from the presider, and may give it to other ministers near him.  (GIRM #136)
The deacon assist in the Fraction rite by breaking and dividing the Eucharistic bread and by pouring the Precious Blood into the communion cups, if communion under both kinds is being offered.
After the presider's communion, the deacon normally receives under both kinds, and then assists the presider in distributing communion to the assembly.  If communion under both kinds is offered  to the assembly, then the deacon ministers the cup.  (GIRM #137)
After communion, the deacon sees to the proper disposition of the remaining consecrated bread and wine, and to the purification of the vessels used.  The purification may be deferred until after the Mass is ended.  (GIRM #138)
 
Concluding Rite
Announcements, following the Prayer after Communion may be made by the deacon, the presider, or another minister.
IF the Solemn blessing or Prayer over the People is used, the deacons says, "Bow your heads and pray for God's blessing."
Immediately following the blessing, the deacon gives the dismissal.
 
When Deacons Participate as Order at Mass
Normally, those deacons who are present for a Mass, but are not called upon to function as a minister in the celebration of the Mass, do not vest or occupy a specific place in the liturgy.  This will prevent the development of a practice that might easily appear to be an imitation of concelebration.  (Newsletter, Bishop's Committee on the Liturgy, NCCB, October, 1981)
There are times, however, when the deacons of the diocese gather as an order, in which case they do vest and are seated either together, or with the concelebrating priests.  Examples of this would be:  the ordination of new deacons, funeral mass for a bishop, priest, deacon or member of a deacon's family, the annual Chrism Mass, and silver or golden jubilees.  Even in these cases the deacons (other than those formally assisting the presider) remain in their places during the entire liturgy.
Where it is feasible and appropriate to do so (e.g. the funeral of a deacon or a deacon's wife), and with the explicit permission of the presider or the pastor, the wives of deacons may process/recess with their husbands and be seated with them during these liturgies.
 
When the Deacon Presides at a Sunday Celebration in Absence of a Priest Or at a Communion Service
As primary assistants of priests, deacons are called in a special way to lead Sunday assemblies that are conducted for the faithful in the absence of a priest.  Since the deacon has been ordained to nurture the People of God, it belongs to him to lead the prayers, to proclaim the Gospel, to preach the homily, and to give Communion.  (Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest, #18)  Of greatest importance is the avoidance, insofar as possible, of words or actions that might lead some in the assembly into thinking that the rite in which they are participating is a Mass, when in fact it is not.
When a deacon presides at the Sunday celebration in the absence of a priest, he acts in accord with his ministry in regard to the greetings prayers, Gospel, etc.  He wears the vestments proper to his ministry, that is, the alb with stole, and as circumstances suggest, the dalmatic.  He uses the presidential chair.  (Ibid. #19)
These guidelines apply equally well to weekday communion services conducted by a deacon, and Saturday evening communion services that anticipate the Sunday liturgy, when it is reasonably clear that there can be no Sunday Mass celebrated in that place.
The liturgical ritual book to be followed is either Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest, 1994 edition (mandatory for Sundays), or Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass, 1976 edition.  Under no circumstances should the Sacramentary be used at any liturgical celebration, except at a mass at which a priest (or a bishop) presides.
 
Liturgy of the Hours
Permanent deacons in the United States are not obliged to pray the Liturgy of the Hours in its entirety on a daily basis.  However, this practice is recommended as a most salutary and effective form of prayer.  (CIC 276.3)  At the very least, deacons in the Diocese of Pueblo should make every effort to pray at least Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer.  When the opportunity arises, these Hours should be celebrated in community.
 
Baptism
Deacons are ordinary ministers of baptism.  However, lawful exercise of this ministry outside the deacon's parish or institution of assignment requires the consent of the pastor of the parish where the baptism is to take place.
The proper liturgical book to be used is:  Rite of Baptism for Children,  1970 edition.
 
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction
Deacons are ordinary ministers of exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and of the Eucharistic blessing.  (CIC 943)  The proper liturgical book to be used is:  Rite of Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass, 1976 edition.
 
Marriage
Delegation is given to each deacon canonically assigned to a parish or institution within the Diocese of Pueblo to assist at marriages within that parish or institution (see section on Faculties).
Although the Rite of Marriage misleadingly implies that the deacon is to be the official witness at a marriage only "when a priest cannot be present," (Rite of Marriage #53) a deacon may properly assist at a marriage celebrated during a nuptial Mass as well as a marriage outside the Mass.  This sacramental ministry is particularly appropriate when the Deacon is related to the bride or groom.  (The Liturgical Ministry of Deacons, Rev. Michael Kwatera, OSB (Collegeville, Minn., Liturgical Press,, 1984), p.63
A retired deacon may not validly assist at a marriage, even within his own parish or institution of assignment, without the express delegation of the pastor of another person with delegation.
The proper liturgical book sis Rite of Marriage, 1970 edition.
 
Christian Burial
Deacons are authorized to preside at all the rites of Christian burial, except of course, for the Funeral Mass.  With respect to any rite of Christian burial celebrate in a church, the lawful exercise of this faculty requires the permission of the pastor in whose church the rite is to be celebrated.  The proper liturgical ritual book to be used is:  Order of Christian Funerals, 1989 edition.
 
Blessings
A deacon may impart only those blessings that are expressly permitted to him by law.  (CIC 1169.3)  A deacon may give all the blessings in the rites of which he is the minister:  baptism, Holy Communion and worship of the Eucharist outside Mass, marriage outside Mass, and Christian burial.  A deacon may also lawfully give any of the blessings, except those specifically reserved to bishops or priests, which are found in the 1989 edition of the Book of Blessings.  The list of blessings thus permitted to deacons is extensive by contrast with the few blessings that are reserved to priests or bishops.  The proper liturgical book to be used is:  Book of Blessings, 1989 edition.
 
Clerical Attire
Canon 288 exempts permanent deacons from the general requirement to wear "suitable ecclesiastical garb."  Currently there are no recognized occasions when it is appropriate for deacons in the Diocese of Pueblo to wear the clerical (Roman) collar on a regular basis. A deacon who identifies an occasion or ministerial situation (e.g. prison ministry) that he believes warrants an exception to this policy should make a careful and prudent decision.  This policy is not to be put aside lightly.  (see also PDUS #130)
A name tag or other device, such as a pendant or pin, in the form of a cross on which is superimposed a deacon stole, may be used to identify the deacon exercising his ministry, when he judges such identification to be pastorally helpful.
 
Titles
The title "Deacon" is the official and proper way to address the deacon in both written and spoken address.  The title "Reverend Mister" is reserved for those in the transitional diaconate.
 
 

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