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5th Sunday of Easter A 2026, "The Permanent Diaconate "

‘Acts’ gives the scriptural beginnings of the ‘Sacred Order of Deacon’. Finding it difficult to combine the distribution of food to the poor with preaching the word, the Apostles appointed seven ministers to serve those in need, since charity remains central to the Church’s ministry.

By the ‘laying on of hands’, they gave this duty to “men of good reputation, filled with the Spirit and with wisdom” and thus, the term “diakonia” came to mean service, the characteristic of this Holy Order. St Ignatius of Antioch (100AD) said it would be impossible to have the Church without bishops, priests and deacons because their task is to continue the ministry of Jesus Christ. Thus, there remains an integral connection between the three Holy Orders of Christ’s priesthood. Whereas the first two (bishops and priests) are configured as ‘Sacerdos’ able to confect the Eucharist, hear Confessions and anoint the sick, the deacon by virtue of his ordination (through the ‘laying on of hands’) makes ‘Christ the servant’ present to the Church.

In the history of the Western Church, the diaconate became almost exclusively a transitional step to priesthood, but Vatican II restored the diaconate as a permanent ministry in the Latin Church. There is, then, much scope in our community for a Deacon, the icon of Christ the Servant, who exercises amongst us, a ministry of the Word, at the Altar and of Charity.

Reminder: Next Sunday (9th & 10th May) Fr. Simon is away. Fr. Denys celebrates 3 of our 4 Masses: 5pm (Sat), 9.15am & 11.15am Masses. There will be no 5pm Sunday evening Mass.

Fr. Simon.