What is the Difference Between a Priest and a Deacon?

Sometimes people come to mass thinking there are two priests saying Mass when actually it's a priest and a deacon. So what's the difference?

[@Mr98chris]

Fellas, I am a future deacon and it is most inspiring to hear others speak about the Deaconate. This ministry is such a mystery because so many Catholics do not know of it and/or understand what the role of the Deacon is. Thank you guys! Keep up the great work you are doing and may God bless the hard work you do for Him.

[@barbaracoleman9215]

Awesome! a much needed conversation.

[@ebonishasmith2688]

Very helpful. Thank you for sharing.

[@yekaneast]

Yall should expand this out into a long form podcast

[@herbcruz4697]

To add to this, these are the things that a priest CAN do, that a deacon CANNOT do: 1. Celebrate Mass/Consecrate (i.e., Priests can say Mass, as they are able to change the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ). 2. Hear Confessions/Give Absolution. 3. Anoint the Sick (Deacons cannot administer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, because the Anointing of the Sick is associated with the forgiveness of sins, which means that there is an element of absolution that is incorporated within the Anointing of the Sick; however, since Deacons cannot give absolution (i.e., only a Priest can give absolution), it follows that they (Deacons) are not valid ministers of the Anointing of the Sick). 4. Confirm (In certain circumstances, per Canon Law, and/or if the Bishop grants the faculties to the Priest to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation, but the ordinary minister of the Sacrament of Confirmation is a Bishop). NOTE: Deacons also cannot ordain, but then again, neither can Priests (i.e., ONLY Bishops can ordain) (Normally, Bishops ordain Priests and Deacons; However, consent from the Pope is required, in order for a Bishop to ordain another man to the order of Bishops). Both Priests and Deacons are able to baptize, as well as officiate at weddings and funerals (However, in the case of a Deacon, since only a Priest can celebrate Mass, a Deacon can only celebrate baptisms, weddings, and funerals that take place outside of the context of a Mass). Moreover, even though only a Priest is able to consecrate, they (Priests and Deacons) both distribute Holy Communion as ordinary ministers.

[@allanmherrera]

Great addition. Thanks for sharing. You're overperforming for someone with a South Park (which I love) character avatar.

[@johnsouthern1493]

Thank you for this information. I am currently considering the permanent deaconate and in the very early 'research' stages of such...so this is helpful. God bless.

[@Awakeningspirit20]

Could deacons counsel people through their sins and offer something like a Seal of the Confessional to keep their secrets a secret? Not forgive sins or do Confession, but be a counselor/teacher for people and swear an oath to keep everything secret between them?

[@Mr98chris]

@@johnsouthern1493 Do not hesitate! If God is calling you to serve at this level, go for it! Do not think twice about it. You will never regret it.

[@johnsouthern1493]

@@Mr98chris actually forgot about this comment from last year but thank you brother! I didn't make the time frame last year but I applied February just gone. I'm currently awaiting my interview and assessment dates which should be early July so God willing, I'll begin my journey then. Thanks again brother.

[@isaacparadeshi6077]

Can a Deacon serve wine to the congregation on sunday service in Anglican church?

[@JTC2227]

Priests can't be married but Deacons can

[@paularoratekkem]

Well said & Thank you. But you could have explained some more details @

[@RomeBoys]

Watch The Rome Boys Show as we "Interview a Deacon"! kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4izhoqHjpijsKc

[@RomeBoys]

Check out Rome Boys episode "Interview with a Deacon"! God bless you! kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4izhoqHjpijsKc

[@winterphoenix6360]

Their clothes right now confuse me.

[@Uwucutegirl]

Nice outfits 😢😢

[@eugenelee6083]

Is he permeant deacon?

[@forgivemylaughterihaveacon2556]

Can married deacons have sex with their wives? I’m getting mixed answers. Thank you God bless

[@timneji]

yes

[@freshrockpapa-e7799]

Not only they can, they must. A marriage has to be consumed or both partners are failing their vows.

[@JTC2227]

And they must be married before they're ordained. Otherwise they're in celibacy for life. (If they are ordained single, they can't get married later)

[@onlylove556]

Can females be Deacons, I heard in Romans 16:1-2 was a female Deacon is this true?

[@freshrockpapa-e7799]

They can't.

[@onlylove556]

@@freshrockpapa-e7799 Yeah I'm just trying to see if they did during that time, in the early church. Bc now I see that sola scriptura is unbiblical. So I'm just trying to learn more. Thank u God bless..

[@frethead1000]

A deacon should not have a garment that is the same as a priest!

[@DanishJoe394]

frethead1000 They aren’t the same garment lol

[@frethead1000]

That's what I said.

[@scriner11]

If you mean his clerical shirt, that is worn by all ordained clergy, and black is worn when out in the community, a Bishop wears usually a burgundy or purple clerical shirt, but also black as well.

[@williamjameslehy1341]

I think the dark grey clerical shirt with a diaconal cross is perfect. It identifies a deacon to the world as a servant of Christ and his Church, but doesn't cause anyone to mistake him for a priest.

[@Joel-kx1ec]

Please also remember that Deacons are ordained members of clergy. They are not some kind of elevated lay minister. Deacons are the first order of the clergy and have every right to be respected as much as priest. I don't think clericals for Deacons should be an issue, regardless of the colour of the shirt, but as is the rule the Bishop has the authority to allow or not Deacons to wear clericals

[@MarkJohnson-uu8oy]

And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Matthew:23:9

[@jblackacre2325]

This was confusing because you guys spent so much time on fashion and not on Jesus. Honestly, more focus on the relationship with Jesus would be useful. Somehow I imagine that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not care about your fashion. I think he would care a lot more about the true meaning of the rainbow and not this sort of thing. A priest can sacrifice and a deacon cannot. It seems like it would be more appropriate to go over what the sacrifice is and why a deacon cannot perform that service and take over the responsibilities of the priests.