Exploring the Differences Between the Transitional and Permanent Diaconate

Deacons Aeli Poydras and Jeremy Chiasson went forth from St. Joseph Cathedral as "servants of all" when Bishop Michael G. Duca ordained them as transitional deacons on June 20.

Many may wonder what the difference is between their lives and ministries and that of a permanent deacon.

The Sacred Order of Deacon is the first degree of the Sacrament of Holy Orders and is considered the foundation on which the Orders of Priesthood and the Episcopacy are built.

Deacons assist the bishop and priests in celebrating the divine mysteries (primarily the Eucharist), administer baptisms, assist at and bless marriages, proclaim the Gospel, preach, preside over funerals without a Mass, and dedicate themselves to various ministries of charity (CCC 1570).

While both ordinations confer the same sacramental powers and duties, their focus and requirements differ. Permanent deacons are single or married men who commit to the diaconate as a lifelong vocation. They typically have secular careers alongside their parish ministry.  

"All priests are first ordained a deacon, and they will always be a deacon. Ordination leaves an indelible mark on your soul. Even Pope Leo is a deacon.”  – Deacon Terry Bellon, director of the Office of Formation for the Permanent Diaconate

Deacon Dan Borné, a retired deacon who was ordained in 2010, had a 50-year career that spanned media, government, education, industry, and others.

He said he experienced numerous graces as a deacon.

"I went from ordination to baptizing my first grandchild that afternoon at St. Aloysius (Church in Baton Rouge)," said Deacon Borné. "It was a tremendous experience I will never forget.

"When you serve in the diaconate, the situations that God puts you in are opportunities that deepen your own spirituality. When you baptize, it reminds you of your own baptism ... when you're involved in a wedding, the sacrament of matrimony, you're reminded of your own matrimonial and sacramental vows. When you officiate at funerals, you deal with folks in the worst of times. It's the Holy Spirit that gives you the words to say, even sometimes to say nothing, to be present with people when they go through the most difficult times in their lives."

Transitional deacons are seminarians in their final year of theology studies. They serve as deacons for roughly 6 to 12 months before being ordained as priests. They make a promise of lifelong celibacy.  

"All priests are first ordained a deacon, and they will always be a deacon," explained Deacon Terry Bellon, director of the Office of Formation for the Permanent Diaconate. "Ordination leaves an indelible mark on your soul. Even Pope Leo is a deacon."

Transitional deacons are assigned to a parish, Deacon Bellon pointed out.  

"They do all the things the deacons do at a parish," said Deacon Bellon.

Deacon Kirk Duplantis, deacon assistant at Our Lady of Mercy Church (OLOM) in Baton Rouge, explained the diaconate ministry dates to the church's early history.

"We hear in the Acts of the Apostles when they elected seven men to help them distribute the food and distribute the Eucharist," said Deacon Duplantis, who was ordained a deacon by Bishop Emeritus Robert W. Muench in 2017.

"As permanent deacons we have families, homes, and may be employed outside of the church. Transitional deacon stays at their church rectory. They visit and they speak, listen, communicate, and learn as much as they can."

Deacon Duplantis worked with Father Josh Zelden, who served as a transitional deacon at OLOM in 2024 and is now a parochial vicar there.

"Father Josh assisted at as many Masses as he could," said Deacon Duplantis. "He had to learn how to present the Mass, the liturgy of the Eucharist. He paid very careful attention to that detail, so that when it came time in his priesthood, he fully understood."
 Top right photo: Deacons Aeli Poydras, left, and Jeremy Chiasson serve at the altar during their ordination to the transitional diaconate. Photos by Abry Laryisson | Digital Media Manager, Diocese of Baton Rouge
Above photo: Deacon Chiasson incenses the vested permanent deacons.

Father Zelden gave presentations for the Office of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) and participated in the youth programs and ACTS retreats. He also shadowed pastor Father Cleo Milano, which enabled him to learn the pastoral and practical aspects of how a parish runs.

"This really enhanced his priesthood, because when he first became a priest, he was very much aware of the things that he had to do as a priest," said Deacon Duplantis.

At Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church in St. Amant, Father Matt Lorrain worked with Father Huy Tran when he was assigned as a transitional deacon there in 2024.

Father Tran is now a parochial vicar at Holy Rosary.

There are four weekend Masses at Holy Rosary.

"He himself chose to attend all four, which I think was wise on his part," said Father Lorrain. "That was the only way to get a sense of what the workload is going to be like."

Father Lorrain said Father Huy is attentive and has a good pastoral sense.

"He's a good homilist," said Father Lorrain. "He has a good sense of humor ... He's also a good teacher. He helped redesign some of the religious ed programs to suit today's youth, especially at the high school level."

Father Huy also worked with the altar servers and volunteered at the Full of Grace Café and food pantry.

"He got his feet wet and his fingers into different aspects of the parish life to see what's going to be his strengths and where he fits in," Father Lorrain said.

Deacons Chiasson and Poydras are undergoing similar diaconate training. Deacon Chiasson has been assigned to Our Lady of Mercy Church in Baton Rouge and Deacon Poydras has been assigned to St. Aloysius Church in Baton Rouge.

Their diaconate internship will last through the end of this calendar year.