About the Office of Formation for the
Permanent Diaconate
According to the norms of the National Directory for the Formation, Ministry, and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States published by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, there are four interrelated dimensions in formation that are necessary to promote development of the whole person; these are essential and integral to the formation of candidates for the permanent diaconate:
HUMAN FORMATION. Relationships make up the foundation of ministry. Contact with individuals in every sphere of society is fundamental to diaconal service. Skills to relate, communicate, and share with ease are necessary to aid these men in their call to care for their brothers and sisters. Candidates need to be sensitive to the needs of the various members of the local Church to aid them in their desire to promote peace and justice. It is therefore necessary that prospective candidates “cultivate a series of human qualities, not only out of proper and due growth and realization of self, but also with a view to the ministry." Some attributes of good candidates and deacons include, but are definitely not limited to:
the ability to collaborate
aptitude with regard to issues of social justice
understanding the role of the deacon in Church and in society
desire and ability to engage in ecumenical and interreligious dialogue
psychological and psychophysical health
Thus, the overall goal of human formation is to enhance the personality of a minister.
SPIRITUAL FORMATION. A life centered on a sincere and personal love of Christ is essential for any aspirant to the permanent diaconate since Christ is the exemplar of one who lived a fully human and holy life. Any man interested in the permanent diaconate should demonstrate an active, mature spirituality in imitation of Jesus’ compassionate love. Because the deacon is configured in a sacramental way to the Savior, frequent contact with Christ made manifest in the sacraments, especially in the Eucharist, is paramount; devotion to and use of the Sacred Scriptures in prayer and reflection are also essential in this desire to imitate the Servant of servants. A strong spiritual life and a commitment to service in light of the Gospel are thus necessary.
Thus, the overall goal of spiritual formation is to assist in deepening a candidates’ prayer life with special emphasis on the Eucharist and the celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours; to assist him in cultivating a sense of commitment to God’s word; and to assist him in his desire to integrate his spirituality into the life of those he serves.
INTELLECTUAL FORMATION. A life in the Spirit is built upon values that underlie the makeup of Catholicism and the whole of Western Civilization. Knowledge of faith, the rich deposit of theology, and the Church’s role in the creation and continuation of this vision and opus of thought, are crucial in initial formation and in the exercise of diaconal ministry. Candidates should demonstrate their desire and interest in intellectual pursuits and cultural analysis born from their pastoral context of service. To strengthen their foundations for ministry, candidates must first adequately understand the basis of doctrine and life to enable them to later communicate this truth in word, liturgy, and example.
Thus, the overall goal of intellectual formation is to encourage candidates to develop their gifts and talents that will be used in diaconal ministry through study and creative critical-thinking. Candidates should demonstrate competence in the interpretation of Sacred Scripture, the study of the Fathers and a history of the Church, fundamental systematic theology (which includes Trinitarian theology, Christology, Ecclesiology, anthropology and Mariology), Christian morality, spiritual theology, liturgical practice, Canon law, ecumenism, and evangelization.
PASTORAL FORMATION. Contemporary society offers a gamut of opportunities for evangelization and pastoral activity in works of leadership, works of service, and works of justice. “The whole formation. . . aims at preparing them to enter into communion with the charity of Christ. Hence their formation in its different aspects must have a fundamentally pastoral character." Thus it is the responsibility of the formation program to provide candidates with an opportunity to develop ministerial awareness and effectiveness through a process of active engagement in ministry. Candidates thus become familiar with the facets of ministry and are encouraged to develop their own ministerial identity.
Likewise, the overall goal of pastoral formation is to strengthen and enhance the exercise of the prophetic, priestly, and leadership functions by providing concrete and appropriate opportunities to demonstrate these pastoral skills in a field-education scenario.
Vice-Chair | Presbyteral Council Director | Office of Formation for the Permanent Diaconate Parochial Vicar | St. Margaret, Queen of Scotland, Albany Chaplain | St. Thomas Aquinas