Like many cradle Catholics, I was an altar server. Well, back in the 1970s we were just called altar boys. I think primarily because we were…boys! It came with a bit of responsibility and prestige. At least I thought so. I was also a patrol boy…there’s that word again. But being an altar boy, for me at least, carried more significance. We got to be up on the altar with the priest. We did priest stuff. We got to pour wine! I remember, before I realized it was what priests were supposed to do, thinking that one of our priests had a drinking problem because he only wanted a very small amount of water in with the wine. I was sure I would see him one day passed out on the steps to the church. The job also had its down sides. Like having to get up in the dark and walk to church in the winter for early mass. But, overall, it was pretty cool.
Our parish in Illinois, Corpus Christi, had a problem with having enough altar servers for masses. The priests had to do everything themselves. Not that it was hard stuff…I mean the chalice really doesn’t weight that much but he does have all the incense to breath in. And Lord knows there is a possibility of elbow injury snapping the Aspergillum when spraying holy water. Do you think there is Tommy John surgery for priests? So it is better to have the help for the priest during mass. Also, I think there is a greater possibility of boys and girls turning to religious vocations after having experience on the altar.
Corpus Christi has been fortunate to have several dedicated men choose to become deacons and serve at their home parish. One of them has taken on the responsibility of recruiting altar servers. Himself and one of the parishioners developed a program of identifying those young people who show a particular interest in the faith and recruit them to serve on the altar. They also keep a schedule of who will be doing the mass and has some educational opportunities in learning to better serve. It was one of the many tasks that deacons take on in serving the church.
For many years before Vatican II the diaconate merely served as a stepping stone to the priesthood. These men served for a year as transitional deacons. Meaning that all would go on to be ordained as priests. But Vatican II restored the idea of a permanent diaconate such that these men’s goals were not to become priests. They specifically began the program to be ordained as deacons. Joining priests and bishops as ordained roles in the Church.
One of the references I came across described the diaconate as a bridge between the altar and the world. And I think that is so true. They serve in a liturgical role by engaging in reading the Gospel, giving homilies, incensing and distributing holy water. They help prepare the gifts and “do the dishes” after Communion. They witness at weddings and funerals. In addition to these more formal roles, most deacons take on the added responsibility of heading up or supervising various ministries in a parish. Such as coordinating altar servers, bible study groups, assisting in youth religious education, leading OCIA classes, etc. In these roles, deacons come in close contact and relationship with the people of the parish as well as with community members. We have four deacons at Corpus Christi and I knew 3 of them before they were ordained. They were friends first and deacons second. Home grown in a sense. Unlike most priests who come to a parish from outside, usually coming from another church in the area. And most only stay temporarily before being reassigned by the bishop. But deacons typically remain.
Today’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles is widely considered to be the beginning of the diaconate. The apostles were spending much of their time preaching and spreading the Gospel. As a result, some of the practical needs of the local churches were not being met or not being met justly. The Hellenists, the Greek population, were upset because their widows were not getting equal treatment in various functions such as the distribution daily resources…food I am guessing. So the apostles instructed the community to select 7 faith filled men to take over these daily chores thus freeing up the priests to do…well…priest stuff The Church was now growing quickly and we see, as a consequence, the need to divide up tasks and bring in others…deacons… to more efficiently serve the people.
I have seen churches flourish when pastors identify talented and spirit filled parishioners and allow them to manage some parish duties more effectively. I have also seen churches where the priest, or deacon, hold parish tasks close to the vest resulting in little ownership of the parish by parishioners.
So here’s to deacons and all the work they do, and friendships they create, in a parish. And to Stephen, the first deacon and the first martyr. Is God calling you to the religious life?
