Diaconate Formation

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.