Office of Diaconate
Mission Statement
The Office of Permanent Diaconate supports the Bishop in his role as shepherd to enable deacons, candidates, aspirants, their wives and families; to utilize their gifts in the service of the Church following the model of Jesus Christ.
Pope Paul VI outlined the deacon's role as follows:
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to assist the bishop and priests during liturgical services in regard to all those matters assigned to the deacon by the liturgical books for the various rights;
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to administer baptism solemnly;
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to reserve the Eucharist and to give communion to himself and others, to bring viaticum to the dying; to give benediction with the monstrance or ciborium;
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to assist marriage in the name of the Church, when no priest is available, and, with the bishop's or pastor's delegation, to impart the nuptial blessing;
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to administer sacramentals and preside at funerals and burial rites;
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to read the books of Scripture to the faithful, to instruct and exhort the congregation;
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to preside at offices of worship and prayer services, when no priest is available;
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to lead celebrations of the word, especially in places where there is a lack of priests;
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such is the liturgical service deacons render to God and God's people in the celebration of the Eucharist, other sacramental rites, and communal prayer.