Thursday, August 19, 2010

The minor orders

The "Admission of Lay Ministers and Officers" is on page 98 of the Canadian Book of Occasional Offices. Presbyteral celebration is assumed. Forms are provided for servers, and an open-ended form could be used for greeters and subdeacons, the ministry of deliverance being strictly pontifically controlled. The admission of Readers is on page 85. (It is followed by, of all things, that of deaconesses; the distinction from deacons was abolished in 1968).

6 comments:

The Religious Pícaro said...

I'm curious about subdeacons. What specifically does the rite say their responsibilities are?

Barnabas said...

I'd be surprised if sub-deacons are mentioned by title.

Aaron Orear said...

Subdeacons assist with the Mass when it is celebrated on a submarine.

Man, I need more sleep.

G said...

The formula is simply: "I admit you to the Office of ____ in this Parish (or Diocese); and I give you this _____ as a token of your ministry (The token to be given must be determined by the office); In the Name..." A generic lesson and versicle-response-collect are provided.

The Religious Pícaro said...

Aaron, subdeacons are the people deacons send in when they call in sick to work.

The Religious Pícaro said...

"(The token to be given must be determined by the office);"

I suppose for subdeacons that would be an empty chalice and paten, as formerly.