By ordination he is enabled to act as a representative of Christ, Head of the Church, in his triple office of priest, prophet and king”. Therefore the candidate will be invited to participate every day, or at least frequently, within the limits of his family and professional commitments, in the celebration of the Eucharist and will be helped to penetrate ever deeper into its mystery. Exhort. Together, however, they represent a unity in service at the level of divine Revelation: the ministry of the word leads to ministry at the altar, which in turn prompts the transformation of life by the liturgy, resulting in charity. III, XI: A. Vööbus (ed.) 76. Mk 16, 15-16; Mt 28:19). It is thus of supreme importance that each deacon be able to choose a spiritual director, approved by the bishop, with whom he can have regular and frequent contact. 9/21 - Archbishop Prendergast’s weekly reflections on the Gospel readings will spark an idea in the hearts of priests and deacons for their homilies, while those preparing for Sunday worship will … More. The Ceremonial of Bishops seems to directly assert that the deacon(s) should accompany the celebrant, as it states that “the bishop, accompanied by the two deacons assisting him, incenses the altar and the cross” (131). 838f. Likewise, it will be opportune to define the extent of diocesan liability with regard to the widows and orphans of deceased deacons. 699; 700. (63) Active involvement in political parties or trades unions, in accordance with the dispositions of the Episcopal Conference,(64) may be permitted in particular circumstances “for the defence of the rights of the Church or to promote the common good”. It should always be included in both documents in the event of their being printed separately. The whole course of studies might well be so planned that in the last year special training will be given in the principal functions to be carried out by the deacon. All rights reserved. (165), In the diocesan curia deacons in possession of the necessary requirements, may exercise the office of chancellor, (166) judge, (167) assessor, (168) auditor, (169) promotor iustitiae, defensor vinculi (170) and notary. Lett. cit., pp. (80) Idem, Encycl. This requires a reflection on the uniqueness of Christian prayer and the meaning of the Liturgy of the Hours, but especially a practical initiation into it. (178) Second Vatican Council, Decree Presbyterorum Ordinis, 12a. Derogating from what is prescribed for other clerics,(59) the present discipline of the Church does not prohibit to permanent deacons professions which involve the exercise of civil authority or the administration of temporal goods or accountable secular offices. canons 32 and 33 of the Council of Elvira (300303): PL 84, 305; canons 16 (15), 18, 21 of the first Council of Arles. 29. Ministeria quaedam (15 August 1972), XI: AAS 64 (1972), p. 533. The extent of obedience and availability is determined by the diaconal ministry itself and by all that is objectively, immediately and directly in relation to it. (57) Thus the secular work of permanent deacons is in some sense linked with their ministry. (238) Cf. They are ministers of the Church of God” (Epist. Second Vatican Council, Constitution Lumen Gentium 29; CIC, canon 1108, §§ 1-2; Ordo Celebrandi Matrimonii, ed. Lett. This vision of obedience also predisposes acceptance of a more concrete detailing of the obligation assumed by the deacon at ordination, in accordance with the provisions of law: “Unless excused by a lawful impediment, clerics are obliged to accept and faithfully fulfil the office committed to them by their Ordinary”. Second Vatican Council, Constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium, 7. By virtue of their ordination, deacons are united to each other by a sacramental fraternity. For the good of the deacon and to prevent improvisation, ordination should be accompanied by a clear investiture of pastoral responsibility. (88), It is also necessary that he learn the art of communicating the faith effectively and integrally to contemporary man, in diverse cultural circumstances and stages of life. N. 122.735, of 3 January 1984. (96) Paul VI, Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Nuntiandi, 8 December 1975): AAS 68 (1976), pp. On behalf of the community, it is the pastor (or the superior in religious houses) who must present to the Bishop (or competent Major Superior) the aspirant to the diaconate. 1 Jun 21, 2019. Paul VI, Apostolic Letter Sacrum Diaconatus Ordinem II, 10: l.c.,699; Congregation for the Clergy etc., Instruction, Ecclesiae de Mysterio (15 August 1997), art. (183) “Clerics have a special obligation to seek holiness in their lives because they are consecrated to God by a new title through the reception of orders, and they are stewards of the mysteries of God in the service of His people” (CIC, canon 276, § 1). (176), 44. The deacon incardinated into an institute of consecrated life or society of apostolic life shall exercise ministry under the jurisdiction of the bishop in all that pertains to the pastoral ministry, acts of public worship and the apostolate. Because of all this, aspirants and candidates are invited to entrust themselves for spiritual direction only to priests of proven virtue, equipped with a good theological culture, of profound spiritual experience, of marked pedagogical sense, of strong and refined ministerial sensibility. 54. Growth in imitation of Christ's love for mankind — which surpasses all ideologies — is thus an essential component of the spiritual life of every deacon. The Bishop will then take care that, on the basis of the national ratio and actual experience, an appropriate rule be drafted and periodically revised. Clearly, this diaconia at the altar, since founded on the Sacrament of Orders, differs in essence from any liturgical ministry entrusted to the lay faithful. FR. 675-676. ibidem, n. 20; CIC, canon 375, § 1. (129) Cf. Council Vat. (187) In virtue of ordination the deacon is truly called to act in conformity with Christ the Servant. The territory in which his ministry is to be exercised or those to whom he is to minister should be clearly specified. (32) The expression should not be understood in a predominantly juridical sense, as if it were the authority that calls which determines the vocation, but in a sacramental sense, that considers the authority that calls as the sign and instrument for the personal intervention of God, which is realised with the laying on of hands. (106) Cf. After having verified the suitability of a candidate and having been assured that he is aware of the new obligations which he is assuming,(68) the Bishop or competent Major Superior will promote him to the order of the diaconate. (235) Cf. The sacrament of the diaconate develops this inclination: it makes the subject to share more closely in Christ's spirit of service and imbues the will with a special grace so that in all his actions he will be motivated by a new inclination to serve his brothers and sisters”. (14) This finds expression in the presentation of the Book of the Gospels, foreseen in the rite of ordination itself.(15). At the root of the capacity to relate to others is affective maturity, which must be attained with a wide margin of certainty in both celibate and married candidates. (34), 31. II, Decr. (69) Cf ibidem, can. This theological discipline is called pastoral theology. The Deacon receives office by a decree of the bishop. CIC, canon 247, § 1; canon 277, § 1, canon 1037. The period of preparation for the diaconate as such should run for a period of at least three years. Conferral of the ministries of lector and acolyte, IV. In marriage, love becomes an interpersonal giving of self, a mutual fidelity, a source of new life, a support in times of joy and sorrow: in short, love becomes service. Paul VI, Apostolic Letter Sacrum Diaconatus Ordinem, V, 24; l.c., 702; CIC, canon 512, § 1. (28) On the basis of the “historical circumstances and pastoral purposes noted by the Council Fathers, the Holy Spirit, protagonist of the Church's life, worked mysteriously to bring about a new and more complete actualization of the hierarchy which traditionally consists of bishops, priests and deacons. The deacon cannot live his configuration to Christ faithfully without sharing His love for the Church “for which he cannot but have a deep attachment because of her mission and her divine institution”. What has been said of priests can also be applied to deacons: “ongoing formation is a necessary means of reaching the object of one's vocation which is service of God and one's people”. Both dimensions are complementary and reciprocal since they are founded, with the help of supernatural gifts, in the interior unity of the person. 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