The Deacon's Importance

So I was checking Facebook on this page, and an Article comes up from NCR. And it was called: "Standing at the Threshold of Mystery: The Deacon and the Mass", and I thought I'd read it, and take a look at it on here. And I decided to look at the authour, and it was a deacon, and as it turns out, it's a deacon from my diocese, the Diocese of Joliet in Illinois. More than that, he is actually the director of deacons. So I decided that I would look at this article. The deacon serves a very important role in the Liturgy, altough I believe it is a seldomn understood one. There are two types of deacons (altough as Fr. John Rickert, FSSP, pointed out in his recent homily, "Deacons are deacons, are deacons", that is, all deacons are deacons, there is only one kind of deacon, not several), transitional and permenant. Both are Catholic Deacons, but one, transitional deacons, are a step of the Seminary process, of becoming a priest, while the other, is not, it is it's own permanent position. While transitional deacons, in the process of becoming priests, are unmarried, permenant deacons are usually married men, who have children. Now, let's take a look at the article.

"For the deacon, this encounter is not merely observational but participatory. He does not stand apart from the mystery; he stands within it, poised at its threshold, beckoning the faithful into its depths. This is the sacred terrain of what the Church calls the ars celebrandi, the art of celebrating, as it comes to life in what we might call the ars diaconatus, the art of the diaconate."

A quick bit of history here. The role of the deacon is an ancient one dating back to the early church. The Acts of the Apostles recalls this: 

"At that time, as the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them. The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith." (Acts 6:1-7). 

The role of the deacon, existing in both east and west, has been a long part of the liturgical life of the church. However, before Vatican II, in the Roman Rite, the deacon was not really held as a permenant office, and was usually used only as a transitional step in the priesthood. In this time as well, priests would usually "dress down" as deacons in the liturgy.

I like this quote that Fr. John Rickert, FSSP, has used in a couple of his homilies: "The Holiness of the Sacraments does not come from the holiness, of lack of, of the minister.". The Deacon is permitted to give the Eucharist, not only in the New Form, but also in the Old Form, as also even the FSSP, transitional deacons are permitted to give Communion. Deacons also can celebrate certain other sacrements, like Marriage or Baptism. However, they cannot Consecrate the Eucharist or Give Absolution. 

Our parish has a man in diaconate formation, who was serving the Confirmation mass with me, and he was telling me how he had just finished a course on Pastoral Care, which even included a visit with an older lady. I will touch more on this later.

"But the deacon is not simply “helping out.” He is not a liturgical assistant or a substitute for the priest. The deacon is ordained, configured through the sacrament of Holy Orders to Christ the Servant, who came “not to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45). His ministry is not merely functional; it is sacramental. His presence in the liturgy reveals something essential about the Church herself: that she is called to serve, to bridge the sanctuary and the suffering, the altar and the margins of society. During the Mass, the deacon has specific roles that reflect this mission. He proclaims the Gospel, not just as a reader, but as one ordained to speak Christ’s words to the people. He prepares the altar, not as a server setting the table, but as a minister assisting in the preparation of the sacrifice. He elevates the chalice, joining in the offering of the sacred gifts. And finally, he sends the people forth, not to leave something behind, but to carry the Eucharistic Christ into the world."

The word Pontifex, means "bridge builder". One point of the liturgy, which Deacon Dominic points out later, is building a bridge between us and the Heavenly realm. The deacon, like the priest and bishop, are members of the clergy, who are ordained in the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Each Sacrament, finds its roots in Christ, and each of the Holy Orders, too. The role of the Bishop is found in Christ's role as a leader and shepherd. The priesthood, too shares in Christ's role as shepherd, and provider and caregiver of souls, but also in his role as one who offers sacrifice. (Note too, all bishops are priests, but not all priests are bishops). And the deacon, is one who proclaims the word of God, as well as acts as a servant. The deacon, however is not merely a servant, but one who actively participates in the mass. His role is much more than merely that of an unordained accolyte (or altar server), but of one who is clergy. His role is outlined in the missal. He is given to do certain things, and act and work in service of the Lord and liturgy.

"This threshold ministry continues even after the final blessing. When the deacon dismisses the assembly with words like, “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life,” he’s not simply ending the liturgy — he’s sending the Church on mission. He’s reminding us that what we have received must now be lived, that we are called to become what we have consumed."

In the old mass, the dismissal was "Ite missa, est", which happened before the final blessing. This was not merely a, "Goodbye, go away, mass is over, see you next Sunday.". Rather is is an active call, which is why "Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life." is a perfect form of words for the dismissal. "Ite missa est", is a call to go forth and share the fruits of the mass. We are called to share the word of God, living it out and proclaiming it to others. 

"The deacon’s presence at the altar is a quiet but powerful reminder of this mystery. He invites us, through his service, to approach the Mass not as spectators, but as participants in something sacred and eternal. His reverent actions draw our attention to the deeper meaning of what we do at every Mass."

The deacon does not stand aloof from the altar (like an altar server, at least now, in the old mass, the server was very present and active at the altar) rather he stands near the priest for the entirety of the mass. He sits near the priest when the priest is seated, he revrences the altar with the priest, he stands near the priest (near the altar) during the Eucharistic Liturgy. The deacon, shows us, in this way, perfect participation at the altar. The deacon assists the priest, and helps him to celebrate the liturgy, in an active and full way.

"The deacon’s role at Mass is a window into the heart of the Church. He reminds us that the Eucharist is not just about adoration, but also about action. It is not only a gift to be received, but a mission to be lived. The deacon, vested in his stole and dalmatic, stands before us as a man conformed to Christ — Christ who kneels to wash feet, who feeds the hungry, who gives himself completely. And so, the next time you see a deacon at the altar, know that he is not merely assisting. He is standing at the edge of mystery, inviting all of us to draw nearer. His quiet service speaks volumes, reminding us that in the liturgy, heaven touches earth — and we, the Body of Christ, are drawn into the very heart of that mystery."

The deacon is a very important and vital part of the mass. One who fully and actively serves in the mass, is very important. It serves as an example and model for us who sit in the pews. The deacon, is just as good and holy as a man as a priest, and his life, is just as dedicated to God and to the liturgy as well. That is, both are great vocations and forms of service for men in the church of God. The deacon serves a core and important role at the mass, at the edge of the mystery.

Besides the liturgy, a deacon is a member of clergy. He does still offer pastoral advise and care, beyond just giving the Eucharist to those who are sick. The deacon, is an important role, and one that should be held in great reverance. It's a role found in the mission of Christ, and a role found directly from the early church. And it remains present in the East and in the West. 

Photo: This was from the Transitional Diaconate ordination for the Diocese of Joliet, which happened this year. Deacon Andrew Bogusz offers me a blessing, in this photo.

I don't have any photos, take I have taken, or anything like that, with a deacon serving at mass.

I want to give a special shout out to Deacon Steve Petroucke, a deacon of the Diocese of Joliet in Illinois, as well as his wife, Liz.

I also, don't have any photos with Deacon Steve, that I could use in this post.