Ministry

Deacons

Deacons, strengthened by sacramental grace, “are dedicated to the people of God, in communion with the bishop and his presbyterate, in the service of the liturgy, of the word and of charity. It is a deacon’s task, as authorized by the competent authority, to administer Baptism solemnly, to reserve and distribute the Eucharist, to assist at and to bless marriages in the name of the church, to take viaticum to the dying, to read the sacred scripture to the faithful, to instruct and exhort the people, to preside over the worship and the prayer of the faithful, to administer sacramentals, and to officiate at the funeral and burial services. Dedicated to works of charity and functions of administration, deacons should recall the admonition of St. Polycarp: ‘Let them be merciful, and zealous, and let them walk according to the truth for he Lord, who became the servant of all.’”

—Second Vatican Council, Constitution on the Church
Lumen Gentium

We, the deacons of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, humbly accept with joy our mission to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. We are prayerful servants, ordained to participate in the loving mission of Jesus to the people of God, through the diaconal ministries of Love and Justice, Word of God, and Liturgy. Under the leadership of the Archbishop and pastors, we give of ourselves in service to the people, in our local churches and neighborhoods.

Believe what you read, teach what you believe and practice what you teach.
—Ordination Rite of the Deacon upon receiving the Book of Gospels

The diaconate community in Los Angeles provides a wonderful and joyful service to the people in the Archdiocese. Deacons give countless of hours of dedicated service along with their wives. They unselfishly offer themselves in the three-fold diaconate ministries of Love and Justice, the Word of God and Liturgy

A deacon is an ordained minister who takes the spirit and message of Jesus to the marketplace. He has been called to serve and gives generously of his time, energy and talents to others, especially the poor. The deacon’s ministry is varied — he may be reaching out to the sick, those in prison, the homeless. A deacon proclaims the gospel and preaches. He also conducts liturgical services including Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals.

The wife of the deacon, although not ordained, becomes an integral part of the Diaconate Community by participating in the entire formation program and being an active member of the deacon community of the Archdiocese, working with her husband or on her own ministries.

The Diaconate Community is composed of deacons and their wives who gather regularly in deanery and regional meetings in order to support each other in going forth to minister in the marketplace.

Pope John Paul II remarked, in 1987, when addressing Deacons and their families,

“You represent a great and visible sign of the working of the Holy Spirit in the wake of the II Vatican Council…This Council explains that the service of the deacon is the church’s service sacramentalized. Yours is not just one ministry among others, but is truly meant to be, as Paul VI described it, a ‘driving force’ for the whole Church’s service.”