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Lynn
Clay
wrote:
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Hi guys,
- What is the difference between a deacon, a brother, and
a priest?
Lynn
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What is the difference between a deacon, a brother, and
a priest? }
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Mike replied:
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Hi Lynn,
Thanks for the question.
The following answers were taking from Fr. Peter Stravinskas's
Catholic Encyclopedia. I've enhanced his definition of Brothers.
Catholic Encyclopedia
- Priest:
- The priest, or presbyter, is a member of one of the three orders
of ordained ministry in the Church (the others being the diaconate
and the episcopacy). The chief role of priests is to offer sacrifice.
In the Eucharistic Sacrifice, they act in the person of Christ
and thus join “the offerings of the faithful to the sacrifice
of Christ their Head. . .” and “in the sacrifice of
the Mass they make present again and apply . . . the unique sacrifice
. . . of Christ offering himself once for all a spotless victim
to the Father” (Vatican Council II, Lumen Gentium, n. 28). “In
virtue of the sacrament of orders, in the image of Christ the supreme
and eternal priest. . . they are consecrated to preach the Gospel
and shepherd the faithful, as well as to celebrate divine worship
as true priests of the New Testament” (Vatican Council II, Lumen Gentium, n. 28).
- Transitional Deacon:
- A man who has been ordained to the diaconate but who ultimately
will be ordained to the priesthood.
- Permanent Deacon:
- In 1967 the Holy See restored to practice the permanent diaconate.
Henceforth, with the approval of the episcopal conference, bishops
could ordain single and married men to the permanent order of deacon.
The Vatican regulations stipulated that unmarried candidates observe
clerical celibacy. Married men who are ordained are prohibited
from remarrying if their wives die.
Permanent deacons are clerics who can perform all of the functions
associated with their order. These include proclaiming the Gospel,
preaching the homily, assisting the priest at Mass, administering
solemn Baptism, distributing Communion, presiding over funeral
and burial services (but not celebrating the funeral Mass), acting
as the official witness at weddings and exercising certain ecclesiastical
offices.
Permanent deacons receive training in theology, canon law and pastoral
ministry over a period that can last several years. In preparation
for their ordination, they receive the ministries of lector and
acolyte. Once ordained, they are in the clerical state; however,
certain exceptions are made in regard to the obligations of clerics.
Permanent deacons are not obliged to wear clerical dress. Rather,
they are to follow the norms in place for their country or diocese.
Although they are urged to recite the Liturgy of the Hours, they
are not obliged to as are deacons preparing for the priesthood.
Permanent deacons perform a variety of pastoral services in various
settings. In addition to general assistance in parishes, some function
as directors of parishes without a permanent pastor.
Brothers:
- The term designating the members of a religious community who
are either not ordained and not intending to receive Holy Orders
or those who are in the process of preparing for the sacrament.
Some in religious orders can be called to the priesthood. Brothers
who are ordained in a religious order serve the needs of the Abbot/Superior
and the religious community in which they live. The Abbot is under
the authority of the local bishop in most cases. Religious order
priests have a distinct and separate calling from diocesan priests
who serve the local Churches and the public under the local bishop
as well.
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I hope this answers your question.
Mike
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Mary
Ann replied:
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Hi Lynn,
Deacons and priests are ordained clerics, and brother
are vowed religious only (deacons and priests can also
be vowed religious) That sounds sort of technical, I
know. A priest by ordination participates in the priesthood
of Christ through the bishop. A deacon is ordained for
ministry of the Word and for service. He may also serve
as an official minister of Baptism (anyone can Baptize,
however), and as official representative of the Church
at marriages.
There are two kinds of deacons, transitional (on the way to priesthood), and permanent.
In the Latin Rite, neither may marry, though married men may be ordained to the permanent
diaconate.
A brother is a special calling to service and prayer for the Church. It is not a "lesser" vocation.
It is a calling lived in community with others, through vows of poverty, chastity
and obedience. The community of monks or friars also has priests to serve the community
and to serve the Church. Some Orders have few, and some have as many or more priests
as brothers.
Hope this helps.
Mary Ann
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