What is the job of a Catholic deacon?

Answer 1

Deacons are ordained to service. Their main duty is charity or service such as visiting the sick, visiting prisons, social justice, feeding the poor and many other service roles (diaconate=service). Deacons also proclaim the Word of God by reading the Gospels at Mass, and preaching--if preaching faculty is granted to them. Deacons may preside at some liturgies. Deacons can preside at prayer services for example Communion Services Liturgy of the Hours, and Exposition and Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament. A deacon may also confer some sacraments: marriage and baptism (outside of Mass). Deacons can preside at funerals (outside of Mass), wakes, and internments. They also may bless sacramentals such as rosaries, statues and the like as well as depart blessings to persons or the congregation. Basically the only things that a deacon cannot do is: confer the sacraments of anointing of the sick, the sacrament of Confirmation, or say Mass which can only be performed by a priest or bishop. A deacon is considered clergy in the hierarchy of major orders: deacon, priest, and bishop and is privileged to the rights and restrictions of that order as pertains to the "Order of Deacons." More information can be obtained from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' web site.

Answer 2

The English word "deacon" comes from the Greek word "diakoneo". The Greek word "diakoneo" means -- to be an attendant, i.e. wait upon (menially or as a host, friend, or (figuratively) teacher); technically, to act as a Christian deacon:--(ad-)minister (unto), serve, use the office of a deacon. (Strong's Greek Dictionary)

We notice a few things about the word "deacon." It means to:

1. attend

2. wait upon

3. minister

We see that the Greek word "diakoneo" is translated "minster" in the following references:

Mt 4:11; 8:15; 20:28; 25:44; 27:55; Mr 1:13,31; 10:45; 15:41; Lu 4:39; 8:3; Ac 19:22; Ro 15:25; 2Co 3:3; 2Ti 1:18; Phm 1:13; Heb 6:10; 1Pe 1:12; 4:10-11 (all references are from the KJV)

It is translated "serve" in the following references:

Lu 10:40; 12:37; 17:8; 22:26-27; Joh 12:2,26; Ac 6:2 (all references are from the KJV)

It is translated "administer" in the following references:

2Co 8:19-20 (all references are from the KJV)

It is translated "deacon" only in the following two verses:

1Ti 3:10,13 (all references are from the KJV)

Another form of the Greek word "diakoneo" is "diakonos." The definition of the word "diakonos" is -- probably from an obsolete diako (to run on errands; compare 1377); an attendant, i.e. (genitive case) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); specially, a Christian teacher and pastor (technically, a deacon or deaconess):--deacon, minister, servant. (Strong's Greek Dictionary)

We see that the meaning of "diakonos" is almost exactly the same as it's other form, "diakoneo." The word "diakonos" means to:

1. run errands

2. an attendant, a waiter

3. servant

This Greek word "diakonos" is translated into the English words as "servant", "minister" and "deacon."

Mt 20:26; 22:13; 23:11; Mr 9:35; 10:43; Joh 2:5,9; 12:26; Ro 13:4; 15:8; 16:1,27; 1Co 3:5; 2Co 3:6; 6:4; 11:15,23; Ga 2:17; Eph 3:7; 6:21; Php 1:1; Col 1:7,23,25; 4:7; 1Th 3:2; 1Ti 3:8,12; 4:6 (all references are from the KJV)

So, a deacon is basically a servant of the church, the pastor's helper.

Answer 3

That is a complicated question. A deacon in the Roman Catholic Church serves in a variety of ministries depending on their strengths. They also traditionally read the Gospel at mass when a deacon is present and may sometimes give the homily. If you mean what Sacraments can a deacon preside at, then the answer is: Marriage and Baptism.

Answer 4

There are two kinds of deacons in the Catholic Church: Permanent deacons, and transitional deacons. For the past 1,500 years, or so, we have only had transitional deacons. Deacon is the first of the major Orders, and originally (in the Sacred Scriptures) they were ordained to assist the Bishops and priests through "serving at table" and preaching. In the old order of things there were minor Orders you received on your way to major Orders: Porter, Lector, Acolyte, Subdeacon. Then the major Orders, Deacon, Priest, and Bishop. Deacons today preach, they also help run various activities in their local parish - Catechism, RCIA, etc. They may officiate at weddings, baptize and they have specific roles during the Mass. Transitional deacons are ordained to the priesthood after one year.

Answer 5

A deacon is an ordained minister of the church - a member of the clergy - along with bishops and priests/presbyters.

The deacon is ordained 'not to priesthood, but to the ministry of the bishop'. They are the bishop's right hand, and assigned by the bishop in a wide variety of ministries - always being his 'eyes and ears', serving as his agents in the Church and the world, and making a kind of bridge between the hierarchy and the people.

There are many different kinds of ministries a deacon can do, but they are not defined by their functions. Rather a deacon is defined by the fact of his ordination and the relationship as a minister of the bishop for the sake of serving the whole Church, and the Church's mission to the world.

Answer 6

A deacon is an ordained minister and a member of the hierarchy, who is ordained to the service of the bishop, rather than to priesthood.

Deacons may be married or celibate, and are ordinarily at least 35 years of age before ordination. They serve in this ministry as a permanent vocation. Many also have secular careers, but this is not a requirement of the ministry as many deacons are also employed full time by the Church.

Candidates for the presbyterate are also ordained to the diaconate for a brief period of time, usually six to twelve months. This is called the transitional diaconate, and is an extraordinary form of the diaconate.

Liturgical responsibilities and faculties of the deacon include presiding over funerals, weddings, and devotions (such as exposition and benediction), assisting the bishop or priest at the Eucharist especially by proclaiming the gospel, preaching, offering the prayers of the faithful, receiving the gifts. They also have a traditionally significant role in the Rites of Initiation.

The diaconate was ordered restored as a full and permanent order by the Second Vatican Council in 1965, and this order was executed by Pope Paul VI in 1967. The process of restoration and reception is still ongoing.

Answer 7

The Catholic Decan assists the priest during mass. They also can be married. - altar server