Deacons are ministers of the Word, the altar and service. They proclaim the Good News of the Gospel and help others to know Jesus through catechesis, prayer and study of the Scriptures.
Deacons are ordained to be a sign and driving force of the Church’s service of those who are poor, sick, vulnerable or marginalised. They inspire and often co-ordinate the ministry of all the members of the Church who work for a more just and generous society.
They assist the bishop and the priests in the celebration of the Mass, preside at baptisms, weddings and funerals and lead communities in other liturgical services.
Vocations to ordained ministry have to be discerned both by the individual and by the Church.
Men who feel called to the diaconate enter a process of prayer and discernment which involves a formal application and assessment.
Those invited by the bishop enter a four year process of human, academic, spiritual and pastoral formation.
This part-time programme involves residential weekends run by the Northern Diaconal Training Partnership at Hinsley Hall in Leeds, an online programme in partnership with Liverpool Hope University and study days and practical placements in the diocese.
Prayer and spiritual direction are integral to the process of discernment.
‘From the very earliest days of the church deacons held a special place in the Christian Community, set apart along with bishops and priests for a special role modelled on that of Christ himself. ‘Deacon’ comes from the Greek word 'diakonos’ which means a servant or helper. In particular, deacons came to be considered helpers of the bishop, responsible for the community’s day to day material and spiritual well-being.
Those studying for the priesthood are ordained deacon as a step towards the priesthood (transitional deacons). The permanent diaconate was restored in the 1960s and those ordained as permanent deacons have a ministry in today’s Church that is far reaching. Working under their bishop and alongside the parish priest, they serve the Church through the celebration of baptism and marriage, by preaching and by helping the most vulnerable members of the community.’ National Office for Vocation
Yes, most Catholic deacons are married, often with children, but they make a commitment not to marry again if their wife should die before them. Single men can also be deacons and they make a commitment to remain celibate once they are ordained.
Priests and deacons perform different roles and receive different training, although there are some areas of overlap in their ministries.
Whilst a priest gives his life fully to the ministry of the Church, most deacons have jobs and are not in full-time ministry.
A key difference between priests and deacons is the sacraments that they can offer.
Only those ordained as priests can preside at the Eucharist, offer absolution in confession, and anoint the sick.
Deacons assist priests at Mass by proclaiming the Gospel, preaching the homily, and serving as ordinary ministers of the Eucharist. They can baptise and witness Catholic marriages and preside at Catholic funerals.
Are you a Catholic single or married man aged 30 plus and preferably below the age of 60? Are you committed to exploring what God is asking of you in your life? Are you actively engaged in the mission of your parish?
Do you have a desire to engage in the Church’s service of the world? Are you prepared to work for justice for the poor, the vulnerable and the marginalised in society? Do you have good communication skills and experience in working with others?
