Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers
Holy Orders: Deacons and Bishops
Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers Comments Off on Holy Orders: Deacons and Bishops
The relationship between the bishop and deacons goes back to the earliest days of the Church. In the Acts of the Apostles, it was the bishops who ordained the first seven deacons when they “prayed and laid hands on them” (Acts 6:6). It is through the bishop that the deacon receives the authority to exercise Read More
Carrying the Lord with Us
Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers Comments Off on Carrying the Lord with Us
The reality of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist is at the heart and soul of what it means to be Catholic. The Eucharist is the principal source of strength and nourishment for our souls precisely because it is Christ himself whom we receive. The power of the Eucharistic Christ — present at the holy Sacrifice Read More
The Deacon’s Role at Baptisms
Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers Comments Off on The Deacon’s Role at Baptisms
The past seven months have been unprecedented in the life of the Church. The tentacles of the coronavirus pandemic have reached into parishes around the world, constricting reception of the sacraments for millions of faithful Catholics. As the Church continues to slowly recover from the grip of COVID-19, receiving sacraments will resume with renewed vigor Read More
Deacon’s Role in Liturgical Preaching Outside of Mass
Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers Comments Off on Deacon’s Role in Liturgical Preaching Outside of Mass
One of the most anticipated duties that a deacon exercises upon ordination is liturgical preaching. During formation, while listening to homilies in the pew, we may have said to ourselves, “I can’t wait to get ordained so I can preach on .” However, to understand properly how the deacon functions Read More
‘Munera’ of Deacons
Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers Comments Off on ‘Munera’ of Deacons
In the ordination rite for deacons, the prayer of consecration states: “Lord, look with favor on these servants of yours, whom we now dedicate to the office of deacon, to minister at your holy altar. Lord, send forth upon them the Holy Spirit, that they may be strengthened by the gift of your sevenfold grace Read More