There is much that a man can do as an ordained deacon in today’s Catholic Church. Now, following the Second Vatican Council, men - married or single - can, with the grace given in the sacrament of ordination, serve under their bishop and alongside the parish priest in encouraging, facilitating and enabling the Church community to develop its own skills and aptitudes in building the family of God’s Church. As these men do not go on to the priesthood they are called ‘Permanent Deacons’.

A deacon’s ministry:
• Visiting the sick and lonely, the bereaved, families and schools, taking communion to the housebound;

• Proclaiming the Gospel and preaching at Mass, teaching within the community
and also celebrating the sacraments of baptism and marriage, taking funerals and leading public liturgies.

The deacon in the community
Over 500 men throughout England and Wales, and more than 26,000 worldwide, carry out the task of serving their local Catholic Communities. Some deacons are working full time and therefore help when they can in the evenings and at weekends. Others may be semi or early retired and are able to give much more of their time. In addition to parish duties, a deacon may have abilities to help in more specialised areas such as hospitals or prisons chaplaincy. The ongoing support of the deacon’s family lies at the heart of a fruitful and fulfilling ministry. Ensuring that the whole family have together considered the impact of their husband/father’s vocation on their lives is also an important part of the discernment process.

What next?
The candidate for the diaconate spends three years on a part time course held at a seminary or in a diocesan centre. He has a Tutor and a Spiritual Director; his Pastoral Director is usually his parish priest. Discerning the real nature of vocation takes a lot of thought, prayer, discussion and time.

If you feel that you may be called to this ministry your parish priest should be your first stop. From there you should contact your diocesan director for the permanent diaconate who can give you more detail to help you make the right decision. To find out more, visit the website of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales or the Deacons Place

Book Review

Deacons and the Church
Owen F Cummings
ISBN 0-8091-4242-2
Paulist Press

Professor Cummings' short book (just 143 pages) on Deacons and the Church, with an excellent bibliography, provides a theological reflection on and historical analysis of the permanent diaconate. As both a married permanent deacon - with five children - and theology professor, Cummings discusses lucidly the deacon and the liturgy, his pastoral role and spirituality, the interface between the sacraments of holy orders and matrimony, and dysfunctional deacons. Highly recommended for anyone who is considering the diaconate or anyone who has charge of the selection or formation of deacons.

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