Seamus Hammond
The role of a deacon is to 'assist' the celebrant, and they are ordained not unto the priesthood, but unto the ministry of service. Deacons can give blessings, but only those that are expressly permitted to him by law. For example, a deacon can give blessings at all the rites at which they preside, such as the Liturgy of the Hours, Communion outside Mass, and funerals. They can also bless objects, such as rosaries, medals, crucifixes, and holy water outside the context of Holy Mass. However, it is unclear whether a deacon can bless incense. While some sources suggest that a deacon may bless incense when presiding over a liturgy, others state that a deacon would not bless the incense during Mass as there are priests or bishops present, and incense is not blessed at this moment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Deacon's role in blessing incense | Deacons are not permitted to bless incense during Mass when there are priests and bishops present. However, they may bless incense during a liturgy in the absence of a higher minister. |
| Deacon's authority to bless | Deacons can only give blessings that are expressly permitted by law, unlike priests who can impart any blessings except those reserved for the pope or bishops. |
| Examples of blessings given by deacons | Deacons may bless rosaries, holy water (outside the context of Holy Mass), private homes, medals, small crucifixes, statues, scapulars, and other religious articles. |
| Deacon's first blessing | Deacons do not initiate occasions for blessings, but they may respond to a spontaneous request for a blessing in accordance with liturgical books. |
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What You'll Learn
Deacons can bless incense in certain situations
In situations where a deacon is presiding over a liturgy in which he is an "ordinary" minister, and there is no higher minister present, it is deduced that the deacon may bless the incense as it forms part of the normal rite. However, during Mass, a deacon would not bless the incense as there are priests or bishops present, and the blessing of incense is not customary at this time.
Deacons are permitted to celebrate a variety of blessings, including those related to baptisms, weddings, funerals, and the Liturgy of the Hours, as outlined in the liturgical books. They can also bless some objects, such as rosaries, medals, small crucifixes, and statues, as well as private homes. Nevertheless, it is important to note that there are restrictions on what deacons can bless. For example, they are prohibited from blessing large images of Christ, the Blessed Virgin, or saints that are intended for display in churches or chapels.
The ability of deacons to impart blessings is more restricted compared to priests. While deacons are limited to specific blessings permitted by law, priests can impart any blessings except those reserved for the pope or bishops.
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Deacons can't bless incense during Mass
Deacons are ordained "not unto the priesthood, but unto the ministry of service". Unlike priests, deacons do not have the authority to bless at will. Instead, their ability to bless is dependent on the Church's delegation of that authority. Deacons can only bless those things that are "expressly permitted to him by law" (Canon Law 1169 §3).
During Mass, a deacon is not permitted to bless incense. This is because, during Mass, there are usually priests or bishops present, and a deacon would not give a blessing in these cases. Additionally, incense is never blessed during the Mass, as it is seen as something practical to ensure there is enough to last the Eucharistic Prayer. Instead, the deacon's role is to assist the celebrant (the priest or bishop) in incensing the cross and the altar. For instance, the deacon may place incense in the thurible for the Consecration and incense the host and the chalice at the elevation.
However, outside of Mass, deacons are permitted to bless a variety of things. For example, deacons may bless rosaries, holy water, and private homes. Deacons may also give blessings at all the rites at which they preside, such as the Liturgy of the Hours, Communion outside Mass, and funerals. They may also bless some "irrational creatures", such as medals, small crucifixes, and statues or pictures that will be displayed outside of a church or chapel.
It is important to note that the ability to bless is closely tied to the power to consecrate the Eucharist, which is held by priests and bishops. Therefore, while deacons can give blessings, their ability to do so is more restricted than that of priests or bishops.
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Deacons can bless rosaries
Deacons are ordained "not unto the priesthood, but unto the ministry of service". Their authority to bless is based on the Church's delegation of that authority. Deacons can impart only those blessings that are expressly permitted by law. For example, a deacon can give blessings at all the rites at which they preside, such as the Liturgy of the Hours, Communion outside Mass, etc. They may also give invocative blessings and bless some few things, in accordance with liturgical books.
Deacons are also permitted to bless incense. During the Eucharistic Prayer, the deacon stands near the priest but slightly behind him, so that when necessary, he may assist the priest with the chalice or the Missal. If several deacons are present, one of them may place incense in the thurible for the Consecration and incense the host and the chalice at the elevation. This is also the case when a deacon presides at Lauds, Vespers, Benediction, a funeral service outside of Mass, and other similar occasions. However, a deacon would not bless the incense in the middle of Mass when there are priests and/or bishops present.
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Deacons can bless irrational creatures
A deacon's role differs from that of a priest or bishop, as they are ordained "not unto the priesthood, but unto the ministry of service". While a priest's authority to bless is tied to his power to consecrate the Eucharist, a deacon's authority to bless is dependent on the Church's delegation of that authority. Deacons can only "impart those blessings expressly permitted by law" (Code of Canon Law, Can. 1169 §3).
In the context of incensing, a deacon may bless the incense when presiding over a liturgy in the absence of a higher minister. However, during Mass, a deacon does not bless the incense as there are priests or bishops present, and because the incense is not blessed at this moment. Instead, it is a practical step to ensure there is enough incense for the duration of the prayer.
Deacons are permitted to bless many things, including rosaries, holy water (outside of Mass), and private homes. They may also bless some "irrational creatures", according to one source. Deacons can give blessings at all the rites at which they preside, such as Liturgy of the Hours, Communion outside Mass, and others. They are also permitted to bless some items that will be displayed outside of a church or chapel, such as medals, small crucifixes, and statues.
The deacon should not initiate an occasion for blessings, but if someone spontaneously asks a deacon for a blessing, he may oblige in accordance with the liturgical books.
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Deacons can bless private homes
Deacons are ordained "not unto the priesthood, but unto the ministry of service". A deacon's authority to bless is based on the Church's delegation of that authority. Deacons can only impart blessings that are "'expressly permitted by law' (Code of Canon Law, Can. 1169 §3). The liturgical books permit the deacon to celebrate many different blessings, for example, those related to baptisms, weddings, funerals, the Liturgy of the Hours, and most of the blessings contained in the Book of Blessings.
The Book of Blessings, De Benedictionibus, lists 21 blessings that deacons may give. These include medals, small crucifixes, statues, pictures, scapulars, rosaries, and other articles used in religious devotions. Deacons may also bless holy water, with the Novus Ordo rite, but only outside the context of Holy Mass. Deacons are prohibited from blessing large images of Christ, the Blessed Virgin, or saints that are to be displayed in churches or chapels.
In the context of incensing, a deacon may bless the incense when presiding at Lauds, Vespers, Benediction, a funeral service outside of Mass, and other similar occasions. This is because, in these situations, the deacon carries out the rites in the same way as a priest would unless the rubrics explicitly make a distinction. However, during Mass, a deacon would not bless the incense because there are priests or bishops present, and because incense is never blessed at this particular moment.
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Frequently asked questions
A deacon can bless incense when presiding over a liturgy in which he is an "ordinary" minister and there is no higher minister present.
A deacon can bless incense when presiding at Lauds, Vespers, Benediction, a funeral service outside of Mass, and other similar occasions.
A deacon cannot bless incense in the middle of Mass when there are priests or bishops present. Incense is also never blessed during the Eucharistic Prayer as it is only used for practical reasons.
A deacon can bless rosaries, holy water (outside the context of Holy Mass), private homes, and some "irrational creatures". They can also give blessings at all the rites at which they preside, such as the Liturgy of the Hours, Communion outside Mass, and funerals.
