Rite of Ordination to the Diaconate: Promise #5

The last two promises made by the deacon to be are oriented specifically toward him. They are promises to nourish oneself spiritually so that the deacon can then nourish those he is called to serve. In order to be nourished spiritually, one has to pray and to imitate Christ. The 5th promise is resolving to have a ever-growing prayer life.

The bishop asks the ordinand:

PROMISE #5: 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?

Prayer is the 'job description' of the deacon and priest. Even as a seminarian, I am asked at least a half dozen times a day to pray for someone. Deacons and priests are called to a life of prayer. We pray privately for ouselves and for others. We lead prayer publically, especially in the liturgy and in devotions. Lastly, we help to foster an atmosphere of prayer in our parish and in our parishioners.

For the deacon and the priest, one of the most pivotal elements of prayer to sustain a healthy and Godly life is the Liturgy of the Hours. Also called the Divine Office, this is a set of prayers that priests, deacons and religious vow to pray daily. There are five prayer times, or hours, each day. These consist of: morning prayer (prayed shortly after rising), daytime prayer (prayed sometime between 9 AM and 4 PM), evening prayer (prayed in the late afternoon or early evening), night prayer (prayed before one goes to bed) and Office of the readings (can be prayed anytime during the day). These prayers are the backbone of the prayer life for the ordained. Our day should be structured around these prayers and taking time out five times a day to pray the Office helps keep one focused on God.

The five prayer times for Divine Office each consist of psalms from Scripture as well as a short reading from the Old or New Testament and a closing prayer. What is most important for the ordained to remember is that we pray the Office not only for ourselves but also for all of God's people. The psalms that are prayed always have a theme to them. Some of the psalms are prayers of thanksgiving, some laments and words of sorrow, some of prayers of joy, some prayers of petition and some cries of dispair and ultimately hope. When we pray one of the hours of the Office, we may not be feeling the same emotions as the psalm expresses. For example, the psalms on Fridays are usually ones of sorrow and lament reflecting the sorrow of Good Friday. I may be in a happy mood that day, but that doesn't mean that the psalm has no meaning for that day. Somewhere in the world, there is a person who IS feeling sorrow, lament and grief. We pray the Office not solely for ourselves but for the people of the whole world. We pray the Office for that person who is in sorrow or grief. It is for others, especially, that we are called to pray the Office each day.

Prayer is so central to the life of the deacon and priest. It is not only central to us for our spiritual health and wellbeing but also to help remind us that we are servants of God's people. We are called to tend to the spiritual needs of the faithful. Our prayer, especially the Divine Office, helps us to be aware of those who are in spiritual need so we may properly minister to them and ultimately they may draw closer to God. Until next time...God bless.

posted by: crossman at 18:57 | link | comments (1) |
rite of deacon

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#1  05 April 2006 - 05:26

 

It's such a coincidence. The day you posted this was the very same day I purchased the Divine Office; before which I prayed it online at www.universalis.com

Anonymous

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