In this volume, Deacon William T. Ditewig examines the office of deacon. He explores deacons’ sacramental identity, their functions, and their relationships to the Church and its members.
“The deacon is a particular ‘icon’ or sacramental sign of Christ, who came ‘not to be served but to serve’ (Mark 10:45).” (Page 12)
“has a profound responsibility to pour out his own life in service to others, just as Christ did” (Page 12)
“He is permanently and publicly configured to Christ the Servant, he shares in the overall pastoral responsibility of the bishop to care for all of the people in the diocese, and he becomes an integral part of the clerical structure of the Church, in partnership with priests, serving the needs of the entire diocese.” (Page 11)
“They participate in a unique way in the Mass, they are official teachers and preachers of the Gospel, and they preside at celebrations of baptism, matrimony, funerals, and other forms of community prayer.” (Pages 11–12)
“deacons have a unique role in helping the Church link the two great commandments of Christ:” (Page 12)