Applying to the Diaconate Program

[mikebsr1]

Good morning, brothers in Christ! He is Risen

I have been in the Diaconate program here in the Diocese of Wilmington (Delaware) since 2004. Lord willing, 15 of my brothers and I will be ordained next year…please remember us in your prayers. Interesting to note - our formation program is unlike any that have gone before us in this Diocese. One example would be that our wives are not included in the classes. God has blessed me with a fantastic wife in every respect, and this doesn’t pose an issue for us. Moreover, she would be (and has been) quick to respond to anyone who asks about it “I’m not the one being ordained”. For all of the perceived negatives regarding our wives not being included, my brothers and I have developed into a true “community” if you will, and we have a fraternal bond that I pray will last a lifetime.
To all those seeking to configure themselves to the service perspective of Christ, my advice would be to run to Mary. She knows the heart of her Son and what is pleasing to him like nobody else, and will gently guide you along the path of discernment. The church needs SERVANT leaders now more than ever. God Bless and keep you always.

 

[CesarAugusto]

Can a widowed deacon remarry?

Can a single deacon get married?

Where can I find official documentation on this?

Thanks guys!

 

[LRThunder]

Can a widowed deacon remarry?

Can a single deacon get married?

Where can I find official documentation on this?

Thanks guys!

Nope. Marriage is not necessarily an impediment to Holy Orders, but Holy Orders is an impediment to marriage. I don’t have the documentation immediately onhand, though.

Basically, once if a deacon, who’s already married, becomes a widower, he cannot remarry. And a single deacon (transitional or permanent) can’t marry.

 

[CesarAugusto]

Thanks!

If anybody has a quick link to official information on this, it would be very helpful. I tried searching the concordance on the Vatican’s Canon Law pages but found it a little hard to navigate.

 

[OldRedleg]

CesarAugusto,

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) website has a web page dedicated to the diaconate. The link is: usccb.org/deacon/.

On that page you can download National Directory for the Formation, Life and Ministry of Permanent Deacons in the United States. The National Directory is the standard that all the dioceses of the United States are supposed to be following when it comes to the diaconate. I highly encourage you to read it.

I’m in the third year of a five year diaconate formation program. We were required to read the directory for one of our classes. It is a one stop reference that will answer almost all of the questions you might have.

God Bless and best of luck in your discernment.