Category Archives: Sacrum Diaconatus Ordinem

We come to the end of our examination of Pope Paul VI’s motu proprio, SDO, and its basic prescriptions for reviving the order of deacon. 36. Finally as regards the rite to be followed in conferring the sacred order of … Continue reading →

SDO treats the issue of deacons within religious orders. I confess my own ignorance on this practice. Is it widespread at all? The liturgical and teaching role within a community is clear enough. Many orders practice an apostolate in line … Continue reading →

As we hit the home stretch of SDO, we pick up some briefer thoughts on other topics. First, deacons are urged to continuing education (as it’s called today). Their task is less apologetics and more directed to building up the … Continue reading →

Paul VI and others were concerned about the spiritual life of deacons. First, these new permanent deacons would have to be people providing a “surpassing” example for others. 25. Let the deacons, as those who serve the mysteries of Christ … Continue reading →

More on Paul VI’s 1967 motu proprio on reestablishing the permanent diaconate. What does a deacon do? This question answered, mostly in a liturgical way: 21. According to the above-mentioned Constitution of the Second Vatican Council it pertains to the … Continue reading →

More colloquially, this is about the care and feeding of deacons. A deacon isn’t a free agent; he must be connected to a faith community, not of his own making: 18. Any deacon who is not a professed member of … Continue reading →

The pope promotes learning for deacons, but leaves the particular amount to bishops’ conferences: 14. It is to be desired that such deacons be possessed of no small learning about which we have spoken in numbers 8, 9, 10 above, … Continue reading →

The folllowing principles are mostly well-founded, but the wording seems a touch curious. The wife of a prospective deacon is part of the equation: 11. Older men, whether single or married, can be called to the diaconate. The latter, however, … Continue reading →

The following sections deal with the formation of permanent deacons. First, #7 suggests a national or multi-national effort. In the US, it’s pretty much every diocese for itself. Are there any readers who know of diaconate formation occuring across dicoesan … Continue reading →

Pope Paul VI set forth requirements for the permanent diaconate: 4. By the law of the Church, confirmed by the Ecumenical Council itself, young men called to the diaconate are obliged to observe the law of celibacy. 5. The permanent … Continue reading →

The frequent complaint of traditionalists and conservatives is that post-conciliar reformers did not toe the line of Vatican II. What they fail to realize is that bishops were entrusted with what was seen as the continuing effort of Church reform. … Continue reading →

On 18 June 1967, Pope Paul VI issued a motu proprio providing the Latin Church general norms for the restoration of the permanent diaconate. Before we get into the rites of ordination proper, I thought it best to look at … Continue reading →