Permanent Diaconate
PERMANENT DIACONATE
“For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” ~ Mark 10:45
In the Catholic Church, the diaconate is the first of three ranks in ordained ministry. Deacons preparing for the priesthood are transitional deacons. Those not planning to be ordained priests are called permanent deacons. Married men may be ordained permanent deacons, and single men may be ordained with a commitment to celibacy.
The Office for the Permanent Diaconate provides general information on the vocation of the deacon. It conducts the selection and admission process for inquirers to diaconate formation and provides a diaconate formation program for the Diocese. We encourage human, spiritual, intellectual, pastoral and vocational formation among deacons, candidates, aspirants and inquirers, and our office serves as a resource for placement and other personnel concerns of diocesan permanent deacons.
Deacon Bill Newhouse
Director of the Office for the Permanent Diaconate
724-837-0901 x1000
Liz Hornicak
Administrative Assistant for the Office for the Permanent Diaconate
724-837-0901 x1000
What is the Permanent Diaconate?
The Permanent Diaconate is one of the three degrees of ordained ministers in the Church: Bishops, Priests and Deacons. The restoration of the Permanent Diaconate occurred in 1967 following the Second Vatican Council. Permanent Deacons in the Diocese of Greensburg will have participated in a formation program for at least 5 years. During this time, one seeking to serve as a deacon requires intellectual, pastoral, human and spiritual formation. As stated in the USCCB’s National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of the Permanent Deacon, “The deacon, as a servant of the Church’s ministry of charity and justice, helps the faith community to understand and carry out its baptismal responsibilities.” The entire Church is called by Christ to serve, and the Deacon – by virtue of his sacramental ordination and through his various ministries – is to be a leader in a servant Church. Notably, the ministry of the Deacon needs to be carried out in communion with the Bishop and his Presbyterate, those in charge of the care of souls under their authority.
As Ordinary Ministers of the Word, Deacons:
- Proclaim the Gospel at liturgical celebrations.
- Direct the Liturgy of the Word, particularly in the absence of a priest
- Guide the people by giving them instructions
- From their service of charity, announce the intentions of the Universal Prayer
- Preach and teach in the name of the Church
As Ordinary Ministers of Sacrament and Prayer, Deacons:
- Administer the Sacrament of Baptism
- Function as Ordinary ministers of the Eucharist
- Assist the Bishop and the Priest during liturgical actions
- Bring the Eucharist as Viaticum to the dying
- Impart to the people Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament
- Witness Marriages outside of Mass
- Administer Sacramentals and Blessings as prescribed in the liturgical books
- Officiate at Funerals and Committal Services outside of Mass
- Pray the Liturgy of the Hours, the daily prayer of the Church, and lead and encourage participation among the People of God
As Ministers of Charity, Deacons:
- Identify the needs of others, and then organize the Church’s resources to serve those needs
- Provide spiritual direction and counsel (if properly trained)
- Carry out, in the name of the Bishop, the duties of Parish Administration.
Attire
The liturgical vestments of the Deacon and those of the Priest are similar, but different. Both wear a white alb. The alb is white, signifying the white garment of the newly baptized. Both wear a stole, but the stole of a deacon, unlike that of a priest, is worn diagonally over the left shoulder and below the right hip, leaving his right hand free, indicating his readiness to serve others. Both wear an outer liturgical vestment. That of the deacon is a dalmatic. It may appear the same as a priest’s outer garment, called a chasuble, but unlike the chasuble, it has sleeves. This garment, originating in Dalmatia, a province of the ancient Roman Empire, is the sign of the servant.
In the Diocese of Greensburg, the proper formal non-liturgical attire of the deacon is a black suit, white shirt and black tie.
Bishops, Priests and Deacons are considered clerics (i.e., members of the clergy in the Catholic Church). Just as a Priest is normally addressed as “Father”, a Deacon is addressed as “Deacon (first or last name as the deacon prefers).”
