Deacon Sunday will be celebrated on October 13th, 2024
August 5, 2024
The purpose of Deacon Sunday is to affirm these men who have said YES to serve the Church in a profound way.
Deacons deserve much affirmation for their tireless work, proclaiming the word of God, giving homilies, performing baptisms, and witnessing marriages, among other responsibilities. These selfless servants are fully ordained clergy, reporting directly to the bishop.
During the 2021 calendar year, 458 new permanent deacons were ordained in US arch/dioceses. At the same time, 512 deacons retired from active ministry, and another 393 deacons died. “As is the case with priests in the United States, there are not enough new permanent deacons being ordained to make up for the numbers who are retiring from active ministry and dying each year,” the CARA report said. Currently the Diocese of Des Moines has 19 men in Formation for the Diaconate.
What is a deacon?
Bishops have been tasked with sanctifying, governing and teaching; they’re considered to have the “fullness” of holy orders. The priests participate in the bishops’ ministry of ruling and teaching and sanctifying. And so the both of them serve in persona Christi capitis, or in the person of Christ, the head. Deacons, on the other hand, participate in their local bishop’s ministry, but they don’t serve as Christ the head. They serve in persona Christi servi, which means Christ the servant.
During the Second Vatican Council, the Church council fathers really recognized that we needed to find new ways to proclaim Christ to the world. As we continued to develop the strategy, there was something missing, what St. John Paul II called the Church’s service “sacramentalized.”
What does a deacon do?
The Church defines three main areas of service for the diaconate: ministry of the word, ministry of the liturgy and ministry of charity.
Ministry of the Word
The deacon is the herald of the Gospel, and you may witness this at Sunday Masses: The deacon is the one who proclaims the Gospel. But it’s not just at Mass that deacons share the good news. A deacon is meant to proclaim the Gospel in every area of his life. All Christians are called to do the same, but deacons do it as part of the sacrament of holy orders.
Ministry of the Liturgy
Besides reading the Gospel, a deacon’s assistance at Mass is perhaps the most visible sign of his ministry you’re used to seeing on a regular basis. But permanent deacons also can baptize, witness marriages and preside at funeral services. In the U.S., deacons often conduct word-and communion services for the homebound or elderly.
Ministry of Charity
The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith, but we’re not meant to stay inside the walls of the Church 24/7. The deacon says at the end of the liturgy to “go forth, the Mass has ended.” Deacons go forth as a servant of Christ to bring charity to the world, each in his own unique way. Some take part in prison ministry, others visit the sick in hospitals or do different pastoral works within the community of the parish to which they’re assigned.
A prayer for deacons
O Christ, You are the source of all ministry in the Church. In response to the needs of the People of God, through the laying on of hands and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, You have called forth and ordained deacons as servants for our Church. Continue to sustain those You have called to this ministry so they remain ardent servants with gentle hearts, proclaiming the Gospel and serving at Your Holy table. Help them reflect the real and true presence of Christ, the Deacon, to the needy among us. We also give thanks for those who accompany these men in their journey of service—their wives and families, their parish communities, and all those who call them to respond in faith, hope, and love. Loving Savior, continue to help Your Church affirm our deacons in their service. Together as one family of faith, may all that we say and do give honor and glory to You and draw others ever closer to Your Sacred Heart. Amen.