St. Stephen, Steward of Divine Worship
Of the three responsibilities that St. Stephen the deacon undertook (ministry of works, word, and worship), the latter is the least visible in the Scriptures. There is no mention of St. Stephen assisting in the early Church’s Eucharistic worship alongside the apostles. Yet, we see later on in the life of the apostles and their disciples that deacons took a crucial role in the liturgy. First, the deaconfin served as the early church bouncer: “let another [deacon] stand without by the door and observe them that come in.” Because belonging to the Christian community was politically dangerous, the deacon ensured that the assembly could worship without fear of those present betraying them to the authorities. Deacons also ensured good order within the church. Each group sat in different sections: young men, young women, children with parents, the elderly, and widows. If someone sat out of place, the deacon would help them find their seat, and he also made sure there were enough seats for the elderly, infirm, and widowed. He also made sure everyone was paying attention during Mass! “[L]et the deacon also see that no one whispers, or falls asleep, or laughs, or makes signs. For so it should be, that with decency and decorum they watch in the Church, with ears attentive to the word of the Lord.”
Beyond these initial roles, the deacon served as the primary assistant to the bishop or priest. A particularly important role for the deacon within the liturgy is the proclamation of the Gospel. Even if the pope himself presides at Mass, the deacon is the one entrusted with this task. The Gospel, like all parts of the liturgy, is principally proclaimed for the glory of God. We give God’s words back to him in solemn proclamation. Secondarily, it gives instruction and builds up the assembly in godliness. The deacon can also be entrusted with preaching the homily, whereby he brings together the fruits of his own prayer with the needs of the people to help each grow in holiness. Finally, he brings the people’s intentions before God through the intercessions.
As the Mass continues into the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the deacon’s role as servant of divine worship becomes clear. The deacon prepares the altar for the Eucharistic sacrifice, mixing the wine and water for the chalice and then waiting on the priest while the latter consecrates those natural elements. Then with the priest he assists in distributing communion to the faithful. A final crucial role is given to the deacon from the earliest days: bringing communion to the sick and the homebound. The ministry of worship flows seamlessly into the performance of good works for the larger community. We can presume that St. Stephen assisted in the apostles’ liturgy, and we as disciples can follow in his footsteps by worshipping attentively each time we come to Mass.