Diaconia of the liturgy

28. The rite of ordination emphasizes another aspect of the diaconal ministry — ministry at the altar. (¹⁰⁵)

Deacons receive the Sacrament of Orders, so as to serve as a vested minister in the sanctification of the Christian community, in hierarchical communion with the bishop and priests. They provide a sacramental assistance to the ministry of the bishop and, subordinately, to that of the priests which is intrinsic, fundamental and distinct.

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. The liturgical ministry of the deacon is also distinct from that of the ordained priestly ministry. (¹⁰⁶)

Thus, in the Eucharistic Sacrifice, the deacon does not celebrate the mystery: rather, he effectively represents on the one hand, the people of God and, specifically, helps them to unite their lives to the offering of Christ; while on the other, in the name of Christ himself, he helps the Church to participate in the fruits of that sacrifice.

Since “the liturgy is the summit towards which the activity of the Church is directed and the font from which all her power flows”, (¹⁰⁷) this prerogative of diaconal ordination is also the font of sacramental grace which nourishes the entire ministry. Careful and profound theological and liturgical preparation must precede reception of that grace to enable the deacon to participate worthily in the celebration of the sacraments and sacramentals.

29. While exercising his ministry, the deacon should maintain a lively awareness that “every liturgical celebration, because it is an action of Christ the Priest and of his Body which is the Church, is a sacred action surpassing all others. No other action of the Church can equal its efficacy by the same title and to the same degree”. (¹⁰⁸) The liturgy is the source of grace and sanctification. Its efficacy derives from Christ the Redeemer and does not depend on the holiness of the minister. This certainty should cause the deacon to grow in humility since he can never compromise the salvific work of Christ. At the same time it should inspire him to holiness of life so that he may be a worthy minister of the liturgy. Liturgical actions cannot be reduced to mere private or social actions which can be celebrated by anybody since they belong to the Body of the universal Church. (¹⁰⁹) Deacons shall observe devoutly the liturgical norms proper to the sacred mysteries so as to bring the faithful to a conscious participation in the liturgy, to fortify their faith, give worship to God and sanctify the Church. (¹¹⁰)

30. According to the tradition of the Church and the provisions of law, (¹¹¹) deacons “assist the bishop and priests in the celebration of the divine mysteries”. (¹¹²) They should therefore work to promote liturgical celebrations which involve the whole assembly, fostering the interior participation of the faithful in the liturgy and the exercise of the various ministries. (¹¹³)

They should be mindful of the importance of the aesthetical dimension which conveys to the whole person the beauty of what is being celebrated. Music and song, even in its simplest form, the preached word and the communion of the faithful who live the peace and forgiveness of Christ, form a precious heritage which the deacon should foster.

The deacon is to observe faithfully the rubrics of the liturgical books without adding, omitting or changing of his own volition (¹¹⁴) what they require. Manipulation of the liturgy is tantamount to depriving it of the riches of the mystery of Christ, whom it contains, and may well signify presumption toward what has been established by the Church's wisdom. Deacons, therefore, should confine themselves to those things, and only to those things, in which they are properly competent. (¹¹⁵) For the Sacred Liturgy they should vest worthily and with dignity, in accordance with the prescribed liturgical norms. (¹¹⁶) The dalmatic, in its appropriate liturgical colours, together with the alb, cincture and stole, “constitutes the liturgical dress proper to deacons”. (¹¹⁷)

The ministry of deacons also includes preparation of the faithful for reception of the sacraments and their pastoral care after having received them.

31. The deacon, together with the bishop and priest, is the ordinary minister of Baptism. (¹¹⁸) The exercise of this power requires either the permission of the parish priest, since he enjoys the particular right of baptizing those entrusted to his pastoral care, (¹¹⁹) or the presence of necessity. (¹²⁰) In preparing for the reception of this sacrament, the ministry of the deacon is especially important.

Holy Eucharist

32. At the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, the deacon assists those who preside at the assembly and consecrate the Body and Blood of the Lord — that is the bishop and his priests (¹²¹) — according to the norms established by the Institutio Generalis of the Roman Missal, (¹²²) and thus manifests Christ, the Servant. He is close to the priest during the celebration of the Mass (¹²³) and helps him, especially if the priest is blind, infirm or feeble. At the altar he serves the chalice and the book. He proposes the intentions of the bidding prayers to the faithful and invites them to exchange the sign of peace. In the absence of other ministers, he discharges, when necessary, their office too.

The deacon may not pronounce the words of the eucharistic prayer, nor those of the collects nor may he use the gestures which are proper to those who consecrate the Body and Blood of the Lord. (¹²⁴)