I mentioned in my last post that one of the promises made by a man to be ordained a deacon is that of celibacy. That caused some people to wonder what other promises a deacon makes. So, following is the section from the Rite of Ordination of a Deacon in which the man to be ordained is questioned by the bishop just before ordination.
Promise of the Elect
After the homily, the elect alone rises and stands before the Bishop, who questions him in these words:
Dear son, before you enter the order of the Diaconate, you must declare before the people your intention to undertake this office.
Do you resolve to be consecrated for the Church’s ministry by the laying on of my hands and the gift of the Holy Sprit?
The elect answers:
I do.
Bishop:
Do you resolve to discharge the office of deacon with humble charity in order to assist the priestly Order and to benefit the Christian people?
Elect:
I do.
Bishop:
Do you resolve to hold fast to the mystery of faith with a clear conscience, as the Apostle urges, and to proclaim this faith in word and deed according to the Gospel and the Church’s tradition?
Elect:
I do.
Bishop:
Do you resolve to keep forever this commitment to remain celibate as a sign of your dedication to Christ the Lord for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven, in the service of God and man?
Unmarried elect:
I do.
Bishop:
Do you resolve to maintain and deepen the spirit of prayer that is proper to your way of life and, in keeping with this spirit and what is required of you, to celebrate faithfully the Liturgy of the Hours with and for the People of God and indeed for the whole world?
Elect:
I do.
Bishop:
Do you resolve to conform you way of life always to the example of Christ, of whose Body and Blood you are a minister at the altar?
Elect:
I do, with the help of God.
Then the elect goes to the Bishop and, kneeling before him, places his joined hands between those of the Bishop.
If the Bishop is the elect’s own Ordinary, he asks:
Do you promise respect and obedience to me and my successors?
Elect:
I do.
The Bishop always concludes:
May God who has begun the good work in you bring it to fulfillment.