127. When there is a deacon present to exercise his ministry, the norms
in the preceding section apply, with the following exceptions.
In general the deacon: a. assists the priest and walks at his side; b.
at the altar, assists with the chalice or the book; c. if there is no
other minister present, carries out other ministerial functions as
required.
Introductory Rites
128. Vested and carrying the Book of Gospels, the deacon precedes the
priest on the way to the altar or else walks at the priest's side.
129. With the priest he makes the proper reverence and goes up to the
altar. After placing the Book of the Gospels on it, along with the priest
he kisses the altar. If incense is used, he assists the priest in putting
some in the censer and in incensing the altar.
130. After the incensing, he goes to the chair with the priest, sits
next to him, and assists him as required.
Liturgy of the Word
131. If incense is used, the deacon assists the priest when he puts
incense in the censer during the singing of the Alleluia or other
chant. Then he bows before the priest and asks for the blessing, saying in
a low voice: Father, give me your blessing. The priest blesses him:
The Lord be in your heart. The deacon answers: Amen. If the
Book of the Gospels is on the altar, he takes it and goes to the lectern;
the servers, if there are any, precede, carrying candles and the censer
when used. At the lectern the deacon greets the people, incenses the book,
and proclaims the gospel. After the reading, he kisses the book, saying
inaudibly: May the words of the gospel wipe away our sins, and
returns to the priest. If there is no homily or profession of faith, he
may remain at the lectern for the general intercessions, but the servers
leave.
132. After the priest introduces the general intercessions, the deacon
announces the intentions at the lectern or other suitable place.
Liturgy of the
Eucharist
133. At the presentation of the gifts, while the priest remains at the
chair, the deacon prepares the altar, assisted by other ministers, but the
care of the sacred vessels belongs to the deacon. He assists the priest in
receiving the people's gifts. Next, he hands the priest the paten with the
bread to be consecrated, pours wine and a little water into the chalice,
saying inaudibly the prayer, Through the mystery of this water and wine,
then passes the chalice to the priest. (He may also prepare the chalice
and pour the wine and water at the side table). If incense is used, the
deacon assists the priest with the incensing of the gifts and the altar;
afterward he, or another minister, incenses the priest and the people.
134. During the eucharistic prayer, the deacon stands near but slightly
behind the priest, so that when necessary he may assist the priest with
the chalice or the missal.
135. At the final doxology of the eucharistic prayer, the deacon stands
next to the priest, holding up the chalice as the priest raises the paten
with the eucharistic bread, until the people have said the acclamation:
Amen.
136. After the priest has said the prayer for peace and the greeting:
The peace of the Lord be with you always, and the people have made
the response: And also with you, the deacon may invite all to
exchange the sign of peace, saying: Let us offer each other the sign of
peace. He himself receives the sign of peace from the priest and may
offer it to other ministers near him.
137. After the priest's communion, the deacon receives under both kinds
and then assists the priest in giving communion to the people. But if
communion is given under both kinds, the deacon ministers the chalice to
the communicants and is the last to drink from it.
138. After communion, the deacon returns to the altar with the priest
and collects any remaining fragments. He then takes the chalice and other
vessels to the side table, where he purifies them and arranges them in the
usual way; the priest returns to the chair. But it is permissible to leave
the vessels to be purified, properly covered and on a corporal, at a side
table and to purify them after Mass, when the people have left.
Concluding Rite
139. Following the prayer after communion, if there are any brief
announcements, the deacon may make them, unless the priest prefers to do
so himself.
140. After the priest's blessing, the deacon dismisses the people,
saying: Go in the peace of Christ, or: Go in peace to love and
serve the Lord, or: The Mass is ended, go in peace.
141. Along with the priest, the deacon kisses the altar, makes the
proper reverence, and leaves in the manner followed for the entrance
procession.
