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(To print the "Deacon Manual" please click here.) |
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Death of a Deacon |
| The death of a deacon is significant, not
only in the life of his family, but also in the diocese and
in his parish. His life by its very nature, assumed a
public dimension. It is the policy of the Diocese of
Pueblo to give the highest priority to the wishes of the
family of the deacon within the boundaries set by liturgical
norms. Every deacon in the Diocese of Pueblo is
strongly encouraged to
maintain written funeral and burial instructions, in order
to avoid any confusion. |
| In the event of the death of a deacon, the
family (or pastor) of the deacon should immediately inform
the Bishop's office. Notice of his death will be sent
out through the usual means of communication within the
diocese. |
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Funerals of Deacons |
| The wake (vigil) service should be
celebrated for a deceased deacon. It is recommended
that this be conducted by other deacons from the parish or
surrounding area. The usual celebrant and homilist of
the funeral Mass is the Bishop. In his absence, the
Vicar Forane (Dean), or another priest requested by the
family may preside. The funeral prayers for a deacon,
is found in the Order of Christian Funerals, should
be used. |
| The following options are open to the family
of a deceased deacon in the preparation of the wake service,
funeral Mass and burial: |
- The deceased may be vested in alb and deacon stole
(and dalmatic, if the deacon owned one), or in secular
clothes.
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- The deceased may be waked at a funeral home, or at
the church where the funeral Mass will be celebrated.
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- An evening Mass with a burial the following morning
may allow more deacons to support the family through
their attendance and participation.
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- Deacons who attend the funeral Mass may vest in alb
and stole and sit as a group, and may do so with their
wives, if they too are present.
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- It is most appropriate that the deacon for the Mass
of Christian Burial be chosen by the family.
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| The death of a wife or widow of a deacon is
also of great concern to the Diocese of Pueblo. The
diocese will provide any assistance the family may desire in
planning the liturgy, and communicating her death to the
rest of the diocese. Unless the family would desire
otherwise, it is most appropriate for attending deacons (and
their wives) to vest and sit as a body at the funeral
liturgy of a deacon's wife. |
| Again, the guiding concern in all of the
above will be the wishes of the deacon's family. It
would be of great help to the family if the deacon takes the
time to explain the above guidelines and suggestions with
the family, and to indicate those areas where the family
needs to make decisions. It is hoped that each deacon
has given thought to his death - both by providing a will
for his family and any desires he has concerning his
funeral. This is particularly important, as the family
is responsible for any costs arising from a funeral. |
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