A Deacon Without Vestments

A deacon physician cares for a young patient during a parish-sponsored mission trip to Honduras.

The Deacon is not for the altar, he is there for service. – Pope Francis

It is well known that a deacon is called to the ministry of the word, of the altar, and of charity. But there can sometimes arise the danger or temptation to focus solely on the altar, to be seen, to be garbed in beautiful vestments, to become self-satisfied with being popular in the parish, to remain at the altar, so to speak, even when the liturgy is over.

This can be easy to do. It is comfortable to remain solely in the parish, often with people we know and are familiar with, easily avoiding or minimizing contact with those who may be difficult, needy, or just not our type. Service to the Word and altar is immensely important, but so is the ministry of charity which is service beyond the altar.

Pope St. John Paul II said, “A particularly felt need behind the decision to restore the permanent diaconate was that of a greater and more direct presence of sacred ministers in areas such as family, work, schools, etc., as well as in various ecclesial structures.”¹

The presence of the deacon out in the world, not limited solely to the parish, was a driving reason for the restoration of the permanent diaconate and this presence is needed more than before. It is well known that fewer people are coming to church and so the need is for the church to go out to the people. The presence of the deacon in the secular world, though not adorned with vestments, is a powerful sign of Christ present in and to the world.

So, here are questions for consideration that will lead to a deeper understanding of the Ministry of Charity and that of service.

Suppose a directive was issued in which deacons were not permitted to wear vestments. Additionally, this hypothetical directive also instructs deacons to no longer be assigned to a permanent parish. But they will often be assigned to other parishes that are quite different from their former home parish.

The questions to consider are these:

• How many deacons would enthusiastically embrace such a change?
• How many men in formation would reconsider the diaconate?

The point of these questions is to bring a sharper focus upon the ministry of service. Service involves humility, service involves emphasis, and empathy, for others and their needs; and for deacons, this means bringing the mysteries of Christ and his Church out into the world . . . and a world which is often resistant to the message.

Pope St. John Paul II, in an address to permanent deacons, said: “This is at the very heart of the diaconate to which you have been called: to be a servant of the mysteries of Christ, and, at one and the same time, to be a servant of your brothers and sisters. That these two dimensions are inseparably joined together in one reality shows the important nature of the ministry which is yours by ordination.”²

However, service is not always easy nor is it always welcomed. But it is precisely at these points that the grace of ordination can be visible. Christ was a servant to all, and yet His words, His teachings, and His actions were often rejected, ridiculed, and disputed. Deacons are conformed to Christ the servant, so why should our efforts or our results be any different from those of the master?

Pope Saint John Paul II clearly tells us that “Gospel truth often contradicts commonly accepted thinking.”³

Going out beyond the Sunday liturgy, whether in the parish or the wider world, can be challenging. It can be uncomfortable, and it can be stressful . . . But it can also be rewarding and fruitful, and bring times of spiritual and pastoral growth.

It is in these encounters, away from the altar, when there are no vestments to be seen, that the beauty of the diaconate can and should be seen by others. In these moments, the Church and Christ are brought to others, the image of Christ is made visible through the deacon’s service, done in imitation of Christ, and love of neighbor.

Pope Francis has written, “We are all called to lower ourselves, because Jesus stooped to us, he made himself the servant of all.”⁴ The motivation for service to others can bring its own temptations, as vices can often be disguised as virtues. Is the Ministry of Charity and Service done selflessly? Is the ministry done in a perfunctory manner? Or is it done out of love for our Lord and His people?

Discernment of motivation can be guided by the wise advice given by Pope Francis when he writes about deacons: “They bring God’s closeness to others without imposing themselves, serving with humility and joy.”⁵

These attributes are important if deacons are to bring the light of Christ out into a world which embraces darkness. How uplifting and hopeful it can be to someone seriously ill, alone, afraid, or at the end stage of life, to encounter a deacon who exudes humility, joy, hope, and importantly, a deep and sincere faith in Christ.

Are vestments needed to be seen as a deacon? The Lord sees into one’s heart, the people being ministered to will see an authentic call to service, and that is more beautiful than any garment that may be put on. Humility is the basic virtue to truly be a deacon without vestments. The virtue of humility should permeate all aspects of diaconal service: word, altar, and charity.

Pope Francis incisively states: “It is even sadder to see a deacon wanting to put himself at the center of the world, or at least the center of the liturgy, at the center of the Church. Be humble. Let all the good you do be a secret between you and God. And so it will bear fruit.”⁶

It must be stressed that the diaconal life must be active in all three ministries: that of word, altar, and charity. These three ministries cannot be severed from one another as each one nourishes and builds upon the others. Pope St. John Paul II stated: “. . . acts of charity which are not rooted in the Word of God and in worship cannot bear lasting fruit.”⁷ Deacons, by virtue of ordination, have an obligation, and the grace, to bear fruit for the good of others. Proclaiming the Gospel and service at the altar are necessary, but not sufficient, to authentically living a diaconal life.

The diaconal ministry is always located within an ecclesial context. The Church is the continuing presence of Christ in the world and the deacon is an icon of Christ the Servant. There is a distinction between diaconal service and secular works of service. Diaconal service points beyond the individual deacon and toward the transcendent, for “the deacon’s actions connect those who follow his witness not to him but through him into the transcendent hope that they symbolize.”⁸ The deacon acts as a bridge that is a “seamless joining of the transcendence and immanence of God.”⁹

Ministry is a form of worship as it involves making our Lord present to and within the community. The deacon is called to serve as Christ the Servant for the spiritual, pastoral, and human good of the community. As in worship, there are tangible elements that the community connects to as it leads them to the transcendent God.

The deacon must develop and emphasize pastoral skills to serve the diverse needs of the community. Additionally, the deacon needs to know the community, understand its needs, and identify those areas where he can be of service. The deacon is called to lifelong learning and formation in response to the call to service. There is a lot of activity, both personal and communal, that has little to do with putting on vestments, but is at the heart of imitating out Lord as Master and servant.

Simply put, others should see Christ in and through the deacon, the deacon who is clothed with holiness, compassion, and authenticity as his vestments.

Let others see the joy in serving at the altar, be an inspiration to the parishioners, but when the liturgy is complete, and the vestments taken off . . . put the vestments of humility, joy, hope, love, faith, and service on your heart as you go into the world proclaiming Christ both risen and alive. Strive always to be seen as a deacon, whether or not vestments are worn.