What does a catholic deacon do?
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The Role of the Deacon At the Mass, the deacon proclaims the Gospel, may be invited to preach the homily, and assists at the altar. The deacon may also baptize, witness and bless marriages, preside at the Liturgy of the Hours, and preside at funeral liturgies among many other duties.
What is the origin of the deacons?
The word deacon is derived from the Greek word diákonos (διάκονος), which is a standard ancient Greek word meaning “servant”, “waiting-man”, “minister”, or “messenger”.
Who was first deacon?
Stephen
Because Stephen is mentioned first among the seven men ordained as deacons in Acts 6:5-6, and is the only one singled out for his attributes (“a man full of faith, and of the Holy Ghost”), he is often regarded as the first deacon as well as the first martyr.
How are deacons chosen?
According to the narrative in Acts, they were identified and selected by the community of believers on the basis of their reputation and wisdom, being ‘full of the Holy Spirit’, and their appointment was confirmed by the Apostles.
Do married deacons have to be celibate?
Similarly, celibacy is not a requirement for ordination as a deacon and in some Oriental Orthodox churches deacons may marry after ordination. For a period in the 5th and early 6th centuries the Church of the East did not apply the rule of celibacy even for ordination to the episcopate.
Is a deacon allowed to marry?
Deacons may be married or single. However, if they are not married at the time they are ordained, they cannot marry after and are expected to live a life of celibacy. Should a deacon’s wife pass before he does, he is not permitted to remarry.
Can deacons have girlfriends?
He added, once ordained, unmarried deacons cannot marry. Candidates to the priesthood are ordained as transitional deacons during their last year of study in what is regarded as “a step toward priesthood.” Any celibate male, who is baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Church, can be a priest.