The word “deacon” is simply the English derivative of a Greek word meaning “to serve.” A deacon’s service is said to be three-fold: Service of the Word, Service of the Altar, and Service of Practical Charity.

The principle characteristic defining the Deacon, and his ministry, is that he is ordained for service. It is a service that knows no bounds, it is not limited to service at table and must include imitation of Christ by means of unconditional self-giving.

The Deacon is a "man of communion" through a specific service to the Bishop. This service is realized concretely in faithfully discharging what is required of him, in ecclesial needs and urgencies, by the Bishop. 

The communion and affection between Bishop and Deacon are manifest in a common dependence and in a common link with the Eucharist. In the diaconal ministry, everything revolves around the altar, since in the Church, everything, beginning with charity, has its origin in the Most Holy Eucharist.

The Deacon devotes himself totally to the service of an integral charity and not merely to a human or social solidarity. His is an animation which affects the Church or areas of Catholic life which is truly catholic in character. His service aspires to the totality of mankind without exception. As the letter to the Thessalonians reminds, this service extends not only to the "body" but also to the "mind" and to the "soul".

There is a risk of seeing in the Pope and the Bishops, as well as in Priests and Deacons as just so many steps in an infinite bureaucracy, similar in many respects to the civil service, whose only competence is to oversee a not too clearly defined general public order.  We must reject this vision and discover the link which binds them to Christ, the One, True, Bishop, Priest and Deacon.