Jesus taught with authority, and he gave an example of leadership which involved service rather than power.**
*As stated in the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Second Vatican Council, Chapter III, Paragraph 29.
**Sacraments Revisited by Liam Kelly
Holy Orders
The diaconate is one of the three levels of the Sacrament of Holy Orders. The sign of this sacrament of service is the laying on of hands by the Bishop and the words confessed by the Church: Almighty God&, you make the Church, Christs body, grow to its full stature as a new and greater temple. You enrich it with every kind of grace and perfect it with a diversity of members to serve the whole body in a wonderful pattern of unity. You established a threefold ministry of worship and service, for the glory of your name. As ministers of your tabernacle you chose the sons of Levi and gave them your blessing as their everlasting inheritance.
(Roman Pontifical, Ordination of Deacons 21, Prayer of Consecration as printed in paragraph 1543 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.)
Scriptural References For Deacons
Acts Ch. 6 begins: The Need for Assistants 1At that time, as the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. 3Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, 4whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word. 5The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them. 7The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.
Acts 6 concludes by relating Stephens arrest for blasphemy. Chapter 7 tells of Stephens response in defense of his faith and of his being stoned to death. St. Stephen is remembered as the first Christian martyr.
Other scriptural references regarding deacons can be found in Romans 16:1, Philippians 1:1,and 1 Timothy 3:1-13
A Prayer For Deacons
Lord God,
in your loving kindness
you sent your Son to be our
shepherd and guide.
Continue to send workers into your vineyard to serve your people.
Bless the Deacons who serve us.
Renew within them your Spirits seven gifts that they may be strengthened to carry out faithfully their ministry of service.
May they love sincerely,
show genuine concern for the
sick and the poor,
and live holy lives.
May they always be faithful
in believing what they read,
teaching what they believe,
and practicing what they teach.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.