After ordination

After being ordained the deacons go to the parishes where they are to begin their ministries.  Deacons, unlike priests, have no special powers, but they have duties and privileges.  They read or sing the Gospel at the Eucharist, they help with the chalice at the Communion, they preach, read the lessons in church, teach the children, baptise in the absence of the parish priest, take the Blessed Sacrament to the sick and visit in the parish.  Besides that, if they are going to be ordained as priests, they have to study because there are more exams to pass before they can be ordained priests, which is normally a year after ordination as deacons.

Ember Days

Ember Days are days in the week before an ordination when prayers are offered for those about to be ordained and also for the clergy in general.  But, of course, you should pray for the clergy of your parish much more often than that.

The Prayer Book has fixed dates for Ember Days and these may be observed or bishops may set the dates in their own dioceses.

Even if there is no ordination in the diocese, Ember Days may also be observed as more general days of prayer for people who serve the Church in its various ministries, both ordained and lay, and for vocations. (5)