Bishop David began the Deacons and Wives day at Northampton Cathedral with a Mass of Thanksgiving.
Deacons and their wives arrived at Northampton Cathedral for 9.30am Mass before a morning of reflection together and lunch. At the start of Mass Bishop David welcomed all present and those watching on the live stream saying
“This annual Mass of thanksgiving for Deacons is an opportunity for us to show our gratitude to all our Deacons and their wives for all they offer our diocese”.
Many parishes in our diocese are served by deacons who support the priest and parish teams. The word deacon derives from the Greek word diákonos meaning servant, minister or messenger. Deacons will often visit the sick and housebound, baptise, proclaim the Word of God and preach the homily.
Following the second Vatican council, Pope Paul VI issued a motu proprio, Sacrum Diaconatus Ordinem, reviving the ordination of men who were not candidates for the priesthood. This contrasts those men who are ordained deacon on their way to priesthood who are called transitional deacons.
Bishop David encouraged the deacon’s saying,
“The diaconate is one of the most important parts in the life of our Church. It is a certain necessity for us to understand what ministry is all about”
If you are interested in finding out more about the diaconate in the diocese of Northampton contact Fr Tony Brennan by email on franthony.brennan@northamptondiocese.org