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BLOG POST | Hey Deacon!
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May 19, 2022What is the difference between a deacon and a priest?
On May 20th, seminarian Nick Zummo will be ordained a transitional deacon. Then on May 27th, seminarians and Deacon Jesse Hiett, Deacon Nicholas Newton, and Deacon Charles Peirano will be ordained to the priesthood. Our diocese is blessed to have these men serve His Church. And in their service, what duties and responsibilities distinguish these two Holy Orders?
There are three degrees of Holy Orders in the Church: the Order of Bishop, Priest, and Deacon. We call them orders because they help to order our church life. All three are ordained. Bishops and priests are ordained to celebrate the Eucharist, preach, offer the sacraments, and lead the community. In addition, Bishops are ordained to lead a diocese or archdiocese. Some of the larger dioceses have more than one bishop, which are assigned by the Holy See as auxiliary bishop. Auxiliary Bishops are bishops in their own right and assist the resident (arch) bishop in meeting the pastoral and administrative needs of the (arch) diocese.
Deacons are different than priests or bishops in the sense that they are ordained specifically to ministry and service, assisting bishops and doing charitable works. There are two classifications for deacons, transitional and permanent. Transitional deacons are celibate men who will soon be ordained priests. Permanent deacons are men who serve in the diaconate for life. Permanent deacons are typically married, but once they are ordained, they cannot get married or remarry; they must be married before they are ordained as deacons. They can baptize, marry couples outside of Mass, conduct funerals outside of Mass, and bless people and items. They cannot celebrate Mass, hear confessions, or anoint the sick. At Mass, they lead the Penitential Rite, proclaim the Gospel, are permitted to preach, prepare the altar and the gifts, distribute communion, especially the cup, and give the dismissal at Mass.
Historically, the deacons were the ones who were responsible for caring for the poor, the sick, and the widowed in the early Church. Alms for the poor would be given to the deacons who would then distribute them to the poor and the needy in the community. Meanwhile, the apostles and the early leaders would preach, heal the sick, and lead the Eucharist.
Today, deacons still do much of the work with the poor. In many parishes, deacons bring communion to the homebound, work with the elderly, help with food pantries, do prison ministry, and staff homeless shelters to name a few. Some work in parishes as business managers or finance people. Because of their experience as husbands and fathers, and their professional experience in their careers, their presence in modern-day parish life can be a great resource and blessing.
