Do you have interest in learning more about the Catholic faith? We hope so, and we'd like to help. Why has the Catholic Church lasted for over 2,000 years when no other organization has? Why were hundreds of thousands of people moved to tears of great joy when they saw or met the late Pope Saint John Paul II? What is it that's so contagious about current Holy Father Pope Francis? The answer? The Catholic Church is guided by the Holy Spirit in spite of problems and sinful members. And so, saint or sinner, we welcome you to learn more about our beautiful faith and the sacraments that help us to live as Jesus intended.

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Q: What's a deacon?
A: Not quite forty years ago, Pope Paul VI set in motion the restoration of the ‘office’ of permanent deacons. This action is found in his apostolic letter of June 18, 1967, entitled Sacram Diaconatus Ordinem. It took just one year for the United States Conference of Bishops to begin work to restore the role of deacons in the United States. 

Yet many – perhaps most don’t know what a Catholic deacon is. What are his duties? Are they ‘fancy altar servers?’ Are they ‘mini priests?’ What privileges do they have? What duties? Can they bless articles? All these are good questions.

In the earliest days of the Christian Church, deacons were selected and admitted to the Eucharistic ceremony because they would help at table, serve the poor, most especially widows who had no men to care for or provide for them. (See ACTS, Chapter 6 concerning the need for ‘Assistants’ in the early Church.) We see in the early calling of Stephen and six other men – the charisms of (1) Service at the liturgy and table of the Lord; (2) Being of service to others; (3) And later – a charism of the Word of God, especially by proclaiming the Gospel. There is a fundamental, even a theological point about the first deacons. They were called from the community of believers. The fact that deacons are called from the community is highly significant. In a sense, the deacon has one foot in the lay community of
worshipers. 

In the Mass, a deacon usually announces the Penitential Rite – calling his brothers and sisters to repentance for sins. He proclaims the Gospel, and is authorized to preach at the direction of the pastor. A deacon represents your needs, your prayers, and your petitions. This is why the deacon, when present at the Mass announces the petitions for the community after the Creed. This is also why a deacon steps forward to help receive the gifts with the priest. The deacon symbolizes your gifts being moved to the altar by your representative to become part of the sacrifice of the Mass.

The deacon lifts the chalice during the Mass – an awesome symbol that each parishioner is a part of this presentation of Jesus in the Consecrated Wine as an offering and gift back to the Father.

The deacon prepares the altar for the celebration of the Eucharist, distributes Communion, and he helps clean the vessels. The deacon dismisses the faithful at the end of Mass. So those are some of the deacon’s liturgical duties associated with Mass. 

KATHRYN on FEBRUARY 18, 2018 

I have never heard of the ‘gift of tears’ before today, so I’ve been searching online for some additional explanations and found your site. I was baptized into the Church as an adult about 12 years ago, and have found that often when I’m praying the Stations of the Cross I will be deeply moved by compassion with quiet tears. I haven’t seen that happen in many people in my parish, but I guess I attributed it to lack of attention, or perhaps lukewarmness. I am sometimes also brought to tears during Mass, but I figured it was a feeling or sorrow, guilt, or unworthiness.

However, this past weekend I was at a retreat with Adoration, and kneeling at the back of the hall – the priest entered and paused before processing – and I was caught quite suddenly with tears welling up, but I didn’t know why. When I saw Jesus the tears came down my face – not sorrowful tears for my sins, but an overwhelming pressure – gentle, yet intense. It actually scared me, I felt like something was wrong with me. If I looked away I could calm down, but as soon as I looked up at Him again, it would start all over.

Hi Kathryn --- Lenten graces prayed for you and yours.  Thanks for your share about your own experiences with this Gift of Tears. Hard to believe that a 9-year-old column about this is still generating feedback (through the Catholic Mom website). Yet I believe it clearly shows that many of us.... some who hide from this outward display... some who wonder what is happening ... and why... we come to know that our souls are washed in a tender second 'baptism' of God's love and mercy.

May God richly bless you with a growth in your tender emotions about our wonderful Catholic Faith -- and about the liturgies and symbols that we have in our churches. 

Blessings.
Deacon Tom

Carlos writes:

Hi, Deacon Tom my name is Carlos and I have a question about marriage. My wife is protestant and I am Roman Catholic; we were married 2 years ago in a Protestant ceremony, and I stopped going to confession and taking Holy Communion because my priest told me that because we are not married in the Church we are in a state of sin. I very much would like to get married in the Church so that I'm able to take the Sacraments again but my wife told me she really doesn't want to get married in the Catholic Church. What should I do? I don't want to force her to do something she is'nt comfortable with but I would also like to be able to take part in the sacraments again. Thank you very much and sorry for the long question.

Dear Carlos: Advent Greetings. Thank you for reaching out concerning your marriage and a possible marriage blessing in the Church. I want to honor your search for the right path to follow about this.

There are multiple parts to ask you about before giving you a firm answer and direction in this. If either you or your wife was married before - meaning that your current marriage is a second marriage for either of you -- I would need to know about that. 

I'll assume this is your first marriage. If so, the Church recognizes that you have a 'legal' marriage in the eyes of the state and in the community. But your marriage isn't sacramental because the Sacrament of Marriage must be entered into according to the canon laws and practices of the Church. All sacraments are dispensed according to the Church and normally done in the Church. For example Communion at Mass, Confession, ordinations, marriage, etc.

The priest that you spoke with was sharing the historical and current teaching of the Church - that a couple must be married in the Church OR they must live chastely (as brother and sister) for the Catholic person or both (if Catholic).

Now -- to address your wife's situation and mindset -- having your marriage 'blessed' (meaning recognized as sacramental) doesn't mean she has to become Catholic. Once your pastor has done due diligence about your history and situation, he will ask you both to come to the Church where he will 'convalidate' your marriage. That means it will be entered into the sacramental records of the Church and then, after you've gone to Confession - you can resume full Catholic practice including Holy Communion. 

Excuse the length of the answer presented here - I wanted to try and explain Church teaching and to address the possible considerations and situations you two might present. 

Please... please consider moving forward with this. Jesus blessed this Sacrament at the wedding of Cana. It's where he performed His first miracle. 

If your wife would like to address any questions or objections to me, I'll treat her with respect and try to help her consideration of this as well as you.

Blessings.
Deacon tom