» Permanent Deacon

The Thursday Q & A

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:03:21 +0000

Q. Do permanent deacons always wear the Roman collar?
A. Permanent deacons wear clerical attire according to the norms set up by their bishop. A good percentage of permanent deacons work in secular jobs, where clerical attire would be inappropriate. It is common for a permanent deacon to wear the collar when engaged in formal ministry (spiritual direction, marriage annulment preparation, etc.). Of course, he dons vestments when a liturgical rite requires it.

www.DoIHaveAVocation.com

The Thursday Q & A

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:43:17 +0000

Q. Is a deacon a layperson?
A. A permanent or transitional deacon in good standing is a member of the clerical, not lay state and is thus not considered a layman. He is a clergyman.

www.DoIHaveAVocation.com

Vocation to the Permanent Diaconate

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 17:28:37 +0000

by Therese Ivers

The permanent diaconate was recently revived after centuries of disuse in the Catholic Church. Those who are called to be permanent deacons have a somewhat unique vocation. A permanent deacon may be either single or married. He, like St. Stephen, is called to serve the Church in ways that assist the presbyters.

A permanent deacon in the Roman Catholic Church may administer Baptism, witness marriages, give homilies, and conduct burial services. Since he receives the sacrament of Holy Orders, he is not a layman, but a cleric. As a cleric, he has the obligation to observe celibacy if he is unmarried, or the obligation to never remarry if he is married.

To become a permanent deacon, one should inquire at a diocesan vocations office. Men who are married often must meet a certain minimum age established by the diocese. A married man may not become a deacon without the consent of his wife.

Some permanent deacons have full-time ministry in the Church. Others have full-time jobs in other fields. Each permanent deacon lives out his commitment of ordained service to the Church in a manner suitable to his calling.