The National Directory for the Formation, Ministry, and the Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States (Ascension)

NDPD

The Ministry and Life of Deacons

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the diocesan Church for life, upon his ordination the deacon is incar dinated into the diocesan Church. “Incardination is a juridical bond . It has ecclesiastical and spiritual significance in as much as it expresses the ministerial dedication of the deacon to a specific diocesan Church.” 81 The permanent deacon should be familiar with the universal law govern ing incardination and excardination, as expressed in the Code of Canon Law , canons 265 through 272. The Church’s Ministry of the Word 85 As a participant in the Church’s ministry of the word, the deacon heeds the charge given him at ordination: “Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you now are. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach.” 82 The deacon must always remain a student of God’s Word, for only when the Word is deeply rooted in his own life can he bring that Word to others. 83 The deacon ought to remember that his actions and public pronouncements involve the Church and its Magisterium. Therefore, he is obligated to cherish the communion and mission that bind him to the Holy Father and his own diocesan bishop, especially in his preaching of Scripture, the Creed, Catholic teachings, and the disciplines of the Church. 84 86 Deacons are ordained “to proclaim the Gospel and preach the Word of God.” 85 They “have the faculty to preach everywhere, in accordance with the conditions established by [canon law].” 86 “Deacons should be trained carefully to prepare their homilies in prayer, in study of the sacred texts, in perfect harmony with the Magisterium and in keeping with the [age, culture, and abilities] of those to whom they preach.” 87 Further, “by their conduct . . . by transmitting Christian doctrine and by devoting attention 81 DMLPD, no. 2; see Bishops’ Committee on the Diaconate, NCCB, Protocol for the Incardination/Excardi nation of Permanent Deacons (1995, revised 1999). 82 Roman Pontifical, Rite of Ordination of Deacons , p. 171. 83 St. Augustine, Serm. 179, no. 1. 84 DMLPD, no. 23. 85 DMLPD, no. 24. 86 DMLPD, no. 24. See also CIC, c. 764, cited in no. 33 of this National Directory. 87 DMLPD, no. 25.

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