Instructions for Deacons Assisting at Mass in the Diocese of Grand Rapids In order to fully implement the General Instruction of the Roman Missal Third Edition, I, in accord with Canon 34, hereby promul- gate the Instruction “Deacons Assisting at Mass in the Diocese of Grand Rapids” with an implementation date of the First Sunday of Advent, November 29, 2015. Most Reverend David Walkowiak November 4, 2015 | St. Charles Borromeo Office for Worship [email protected] 38GIRM 178. See also April 20, 2012 or when those ordained ministers Instructions for Deacons Assisting at Mass observation by Archbishop J. present at a liturgical celebration Augustine DiNoia, O.P. Secre- are truly unable to distribute Holy in the Diocese of Grand Rapids tary of the Congregation for Di- Communion. (Instruction: On Cer- vine Worship and the Sacra- tain Questions Regarding the Col- ments: “[T]his Congregation laboration of the Non-Ordained Faithful in the Sacred Ministry of Introduction takes the view that it is suffi- Priest, 15 August 1997, Article 8 cient for the water to be added §2). See also Redemptionis Sacramen- 1. Ever since the calling of Stephen and six brothers to serve only to the chalice used by the tum paragraph 154. the widows of Jerusalem, the Order of Deacon has been held with main Celebrant. The addition of 54 high honor in the Church.1 Indeed, the Deacon holds, after the water to the other chalices, GIRM, 182 however, would not in any way 55GIRM 183 Priest, the “first place among those who minister in the celebration 2 be considered to be an abuse.” 56GIRM 184 of the Eucharist.” 39 GIRM 178 57GIRM 309 2. In communion with the Bishop and Priests, Deacons are 40GIRM 178, 277 58GIRM 185 “ministers of Jesus Christ,” who “serve the people in love and joy.” 3 59 41GIRM 179 GIRM 185 This instruction has been prepared to assist our deacons in ful- 60 42GIRM 215 GIRM 186, 274 filling their diakonia by bringing into one place all that pertains to 43GIRM 179 their assistance at Mass and the way these items are to be observed in the Diocese of Grand Rapids. 44GIRM 43 45GIRM 151 3. Deacons and Priests are urged to demonstrate great care for 46NDRHC 44 the sacred liturgy by discussing or even rehearsing beforehand 47GIRM 180 those parts of the Mass that could prove clumsy without adequate 48GIRM 181 preparation, such as the Entrance Procession, Penitential Act, Gos- 49GIRM, 181 pel Procession, Preparation of the Altar and Presentation of Gifts, and the Dismissal. 50GIRM, 83, 240; Norms for Holy Communion under both Kinds, 36. Since Deacons have the duty of giving instructions to the 51 Norms, 40. people, they should be provided with a microphone. 52GIRM, 182 Vestments 53Extraordinary ministers may distrib- ute Holy Communion at Eucharis- 4. When exercising his ministry at the Eucharistic Celebration tic celebrations only when there a Deacon is to wear sacred vestments.4 The term “sacred vestments” are no ordained ministers present means a dalmatic worn over the alb and stole.5 At the celebration of 18 | Instructions for Deacons at Mass Diocese of Grand Rapids Instructions for Deacons at Mass Diocese of Grand Rapids | 3 the Eucharist, a Deacon wears the dalmatic and stole of the liturgical End Notes color of the day. If the parish does not have the dalmatic of the litur- gical color of the day, a white stole and dalmatic may be used. The 1Acts 6:1-6. 18GIRM 50 dalmatic may be omitted on a day of a lesser degree of solemnity 19 2Introduction to the Order of Mass: GIRM 171 (e.g. on a weekday in Ordinary Time). A cincture and amice should A Pastoral Resource of the Bish- 20 6 GIRM 175, CB 140 be used unless, due to the form of the alb, they are not needed. ops’ Committee on the Liturgy 21 (USCCB: Washington © 2003), RM 10 paragraph 13. 22GIRM 175 Role of the Deacon 3See Homily for the Rite of Ordina- 23GIRM 175 5. The Deacon assists the Priest during Mass and walks at his tion of Deacons, No. 199, Roman 24GIRM 175 Pontifical, (2011) right side. The manner in which this assistance is carried out in the 25 4 GIRM 175 Diocese of Grand Rapids is presented throughout this Instruction: General Instruction of the Roman 26 Missal (GIRM), paragraph 171. GIRM 175 a) Ministers at the altar, with chalice as well as the Roman Missal; 27 5 GIRM 277 b) Proclaims the Gospel; GIRM 119, 338 Instruction on the Eucharist: Redemptionis Sacramen- 28GIRM 175 c) May preach in accord with the General Instruction of the tum (RS), paragraph 125. 29GIRM 175 Roman Missal: “The Homily should ordinarily be given by the 6GIRM 119 30 Priest Celebrant himself or be entrusted by him to a concele- GIRM 175 7 31 brating Priest, or from time to time and, if appropriate, to the GIRM 66 CB 141 8 Deacon.”7 GIRM 171 32GIRM 66 9 d) May guide the faithful by appropriate introductions and GIRM 172 and Ceremonial of Bish- 33GIRM 70, 177 ops (CB) 128 explanations; 34GIRM 178 10GIRM 118 b, 120 d, 128 e) Normally announces the intentions of the Prayer of the Faith- 35GIRM 73 ful; 11GIRM 173 36Norms for the Distribution and 12 f) Assists the Priest Celebrant in arranging the sacred vessels, GIRM 173 Reception of Holy Communion distributing Holy Communion, and purifying the sacred 13GIRM 174 36, modification by Congregation vessels; for Divine Worship and the Dis- 14See GIRM 172 g) And, as needed, fulfills the duties of other ministers himself cipline of the Sacraments re: RS 15CB 128 when none of them is present.8 105. 16 37 6. In the event that there are two deacons assisting at the cele- GIRM 173, 274 GIRM 178 17 bration of the Eucharist, one functions as Deacon of the Word from GIRM 174 4 | Instructions for Deacons at Mass Diocese of Grand Rapids Instructions for Deacons at Mass Diocese of Grand Rapids | 17 Abbreviations the beginning of Mass through the prayers of intercession; the other deacon functions as Deacon of the Liturgy of the Eucharist from the preparation of the altar through the dismissal rite. GIRM General Instruction of the Roman Missal (2010) RM The Roman Missal, Third Edition (2010) CB Ceremonial of Bishops, (1989) RS Redemptionis Sacramentum (2004) Sources The Roman Missal, English Translation according to the Third The Celebration of the Mass Typical Edition for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, © 2010, International Commission on English in Introductory Rites the Liturgy Corporation; © 2010 United States Conference of Entrance Procession – with the Book of the Gospels Catholic Bishops. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 7. Carrying the Book of the Gospels slightly elevated – so that Ceremonial of Bishops, prepared by International Commission on one’s eyes see over the book – the Deacon precedes the Priest English in the Liturgy, © 1989 by the Order of St. Benedict, Celebrant and, if present, other vested Deacons and/or concele- Inc. Collegeville, Minnesota. All rights reserved. brating Priests.9 (The Lectionary is never carried in the Entrance Procession.10) Introduction to the Order of Mass: A Pastoral Resource of the Bish- ops’ Committee on the Liturgy. © 2003 United States Con- 8. When the Deacon reaches the altar he omits the sign of ference of Catholic Bishops. reverence and goes directly to the altar and places the Book of the Gospels on the altar, centered with decorative side up. The Deacon Redemptionis Sacramentum: Instruction on the Eucharist, Congrega- venerates with a kiss the altar on the right side of the Priest.11 tion for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacra- ments, 2004. If incense is used: 9. The Deacon assists the Priest Celebrant by holding the incense boat as the priest puts the incense into the thurible.12 After incensing the altar, he goes to the chair together with the Priest, takes his place at the Priest’s side and assists him as nec- essary.13 16 | Instructions for Deacons at Mass Diocese of Grand Rapids Instructions for Deacons at Mass Diocese of Grand Rapids | 5 Entrance Procession – without the Book of the Gospels trance procession. If the tabernacle is in the sanctuary, the Deacon genuflects with the Priest and walks beside the Priest in the reces- 10. On weekdays of Ordinary Time and other days of lesser so- sional.60 lemnity the Book of the Gospels would not be carried in procession and incense would not be used. At these times the procedure outlined 64. When a bishop is the Celebrant the Deacon(s) walks behind the below is followed: bishop. (see no. 12) 11. The Deacon walks at the Priest’s right side in the entrance 14 procession. 12. When a Bishop is the Celebrant, the Deacon(s) walk behind the bishop, a few steps back.15 13. The Deacon makes a profound bow to the altar with the Priest. If the tabernacle is in the sanctuary, the Deacon genuflects with the Priest and then with him venerates the altar with a kiss.16 14. Then the Deacon goes to the chair together with the Priest and there stands at the Priest’s right side and assists him as neces- sary.17 Introduction to the Liturgy of the Day 15. After the greeting of the people the Priest, Deacon or lay min- ister may very briefly introduce the faithful to the Mass of the day.18 Penitential Act 16. The Priest Celebrant leads “Form A” (Confiteor) or “Form B.” 17. The Priest Celebrant, Deacon, cantor, or choir may say or chant the tropes of “Form C” of the Penitential Act, in accord with the rubric.