Deacons serve in word, liturgy and charity
During the ordination to the diaconate, immediately after a man has had the bishop’s hands laid on him and he has been vested with the stole and dalmatic, he kneels before the bishop, who places the Book of Gospels into his hands. The bishop then commands, “Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you have become. Believe what you read, teach what you believe and practice what you teach.”
During the ordination to the diaconate, immediately after a man has had the bishop’s hands laid on him and he has been vested with the stole and dalmatic, he kneels before the bishop, who places the Book of Gospels into his hands. The bishop then commands, “Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you have become. Believe what you read, teach what you believe and practice what you teach.”
Equally important as the vows the newly ordained deacon has professed, this directive offered by the bishop summarizes the three-fold ministry of the diaconate. As a deacon, the man is set apart, or sacredly ordered, to go forth and serve in word, liturgy and charity. The deacon serves fully when each aspect of his three-fold ministry is integrated into what he believes and teaches.
Essentially, the deacon is a man firmly planted and grounded in faith. As a man of good reputation, full of wisdom and the Holy Spirit, he puts that faith into action, responding to God’s love in God’s love. By his actions of service, the deacon is recognized as a disciple of Christ, who did not come to be served but to serve.
The deacon’s call to serve in this way is established by a singular act of love: the Paschal Mystery. This love, understood as Jesus’ salvific act of self-love that wills the happiness of the other for the sake of the other, is passed on through subsequent self-gift. The deacon is sent from the mysteries of the altar and offers himself into the culture of the world living amid the laity. Embodied by his service at the altar of the Lord, this encounter divinizes the deacon, transfiguring and impelling him to love with the love of God in all diaconal assignments: husband, father, son, brother, friend, coworker and stranger.
At the conclusion of Mass, the deacon dismisses the people to “go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.” As a member of the clergy living within the laity, he leads the people of God into their homes, neighborhoods and workplaces. Formed by the Gospel, he proclaims the body of Christ he receives. The deacon is uniquely configured to Christ and, by putting into practice acts of service, becomes the model of Christ as a servant of all.
Call to action: The Diocese of Austin will accept applications for the Deacon Class of 2031 beginning Dec. 1. The Office of Diaconal Ministry will offer informational sessions for those men and their wives interested in learning more about the diaconate. For more information and to register for one of these sessions, visit www.austindiocese.org/information-sessions.
Deacon Barry Ryan is director of Diaconal Ministry for the Diocese of Austin. He can be reached at barry-ryan@austindiocese.org or (512) 949-2410.
