The Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Sioux City

Who is a Deacon?

• A deacon is an ordained minister of Christ.  He is configured by the grace of the sacrament to Christ the Head in such a way that he allows Christ to act in him (“In persona Christi”) in the specific ministerial or sacramental acts for which he is ordained.
• A deacon is ordained, not for the sacrifice, but for service.  A deacon is not a priest to offer Mass and Penance; he is a servant (diakonos) as Christ was, who came “not to be served, but to serve.”
• To serve as Christ means to prepare someone to receive Christ as Word of life (Gospel) and as Bread of life (Eucharist).  A deacon’s service has three interlocking parts: liturgical, sacramental, and pastoral.
• Liturgical service includes special roles during Mass, especially proclaiming the Gospel, inviting to the sign of peace, and sending forth in dismissal.  Deacons might also lead the Kyrie (Lord have mercy), the prayers of the faithful, preach a homily, assist the priest as an acolyte, elevate the Chalice during the Consecration, and so on.
• Sacramental service includes being an ordinary minister of communion, for the distribution within Mass, and for bringing the Eucharist and Viaticum to the sick, elderly, imprisoned, etc.  Deacons can lead communal prayer, such as Eucharistic Adoration with Benediction, or the Liturgy of the Hours.  Deacons also officiate at baptisms, weddings, and funerals.
• Pastoral service includes all the “ordinary” or “mundane” aspects of helping the poor and the needy of all kinds (often called “spiritual and corporal works of mercy.”)  This is where the leadership of deacons can be most influential in the community.  This service must always be driven by faith and love for Christ, which is cultivated in the liturgical and sacramental piety appropriate to the deacon.

The basic Qualifications for being ordained a Permanent Deacon are:

• Must be at least 35 years of age at ordination
• Cannot be over the age of 61 to enter formation classes
• Must be fully initiated, practicing Catholic in good standing
• Must have the support and permission of your wife, if married
• Must have the support of the pastor of your parish
• Must have the support of the people of the parish
• Must complete the full application process
• Must have the experience, willingness, and desire to serve others as Christ
• Must have humility, compassion, simplicity, zeal, love for the Truth which is Christ, love for the Church which is Christ’s Body, commitment to faith and love, and desire to grow in holiness