Called to the diaconate?

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Michael16

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It was brought to my attention that I could, if that’s what God will for me; enter the diaconate. Before I talk to the chancery and my fiancé; I’m asking: What is it that Deacons do and what are the requirements?
 
Google the National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons from the USCCB.
 
Thank you all for replying. I sincerely want to serve the Church in the best way I can; beyond your basic layman. Again, thank you very much.
 
You said fiancé above. Your wife will be asked multiple times during formation if she will consent to your vocation; you can’t jump into it without her blessing. Also, most dioceses will expect a stabilized marriage, meaning about five years or so; it’s not for newlyweds. Small children may (or may not) be a factor, too.
 
🤔 Okay; that makes sense. I wasn’t going to jump into it without her (name removed by moderator)ut anyway. Sounds good so far.

I’ve done some looking online and I found some information about the diaconate. Basically, I have to be a saint in order to be ordained. But, it’s something I want to do. I just have to get my fiancé’s blessing and work hard on myself in order to make it.

But, with God’s help; I can make it. I’ll talk to the chancery and my fiancé about it and start the path; provided my fiancé is able to share me with the Church once we get married and put in the five years of stable married life.

Here’s what I’m looking at: 6 years’ work to earn my master’s and my license and five years in the diaconate program. I should be 53 by the time I get everything done.

I believe I’ve found my path.
 
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Thanks, Daniel.

I replied to a personal message from Michael with more information.

Take it easy on the lions,
Deacon Christopher
 
Deacons do not have to be saints. My husband the deacon says you do not. I just asked him.
In our diocese you do have to have a stable marriage that is at least five years old.
Along the way you and your wife as well as the formation team will have many chances to discern your vocation.
 
Remember this is the “Permanent” diaconate, a lifetime commitment.

It takes years of formation and classes, retreats, etc., before someone is ordained.

By all means, attend a retreat or other events so you can discern your vocation here- but it is an important that you be certain of your calling here. Being a Catholic deacon isn’t the same as deacon in the protestant church where men are moved in and out of the position
 
Thank you all. I’m pretty sure this is what I want to do. I understand that, as a Catholic Deacon; I’ll be a permanent member of the clergy. I feel called to be the best Catholic I can be as well as to live out who I am.
 
Michael16 said:
I’ll be a permanent member of the clergy. I feel called to be the best Catholic I can be as well as to live out who I am.
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Not arguing with you. But you can be the best Catholic you can be without being a Deacon.

If you are positive you are being called to the married life you can be the best Catholic you can be by being the best husband & father you can be. Which is something else you should ask about. I was under the impression the Church would like your children to be of a certain age before you are ordained.

The Deaconate should be about service to the Church. This will require time away from your family. You already have time commitments to work.

Dont think I’m trying to talk you out of it. I think it’s great you are considering it.
 
Thanks. Part of why I want to be ordained is to pay back the Church for what she has done for me. That and I’d like to do a spiritual warfare ministry as both a therapist and a Deacon. I know I’ll be spending a lot of time away from my wife and kids; but it’ll be worth it. 🙂
 
Interesting you ask that, someone asked me the other day if I had discerned a vocation to the diaconate (or something along those lines), and I told her “yes”, and I explained why. I am not married, and if I ever do get married (God willing) I wouldn’t get married after my wife dies if she is to die before I do. The thing about getting your wife to go along with it, that’s no joke, we have a deacon at our parish that has a wife and ELEVEN KIDS.
 
As a deacon you will promise obedience to your bishop. Your ministry will be what he asks you to do, though I’m sure your talents and interests would be taken into consideration.

I realize you are just starting to explore possibilities, but pursuing ordination is a serious commitment and about what the Church needs, not necessarily what you want.
 
🤔 I guess I could call the chancery to see what they might need in six years.

But still: My mind is set. I want to serve however my bishop needs me to serve.
 
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Michael, I know you are in your 40’s but still, have you spoken to the Vocations director at your Diocese?

You mention spiritual warfare again. All Catholics are called into warfare with evil. It’s not an outlier. We all do this in living our lives.

As a Deacon you would have to put being a Deacon first and be obedient to your Bishop. There are rules in the Church for anything eventful beyond the normal role and action of those not appointed by the Diocese as it’s exorcists. Exorcists are firstly Priests.

It seems to me , reading your threads, you have a focus on a spiritual warfare ministry that echoes non Catholic forms. And perhaps are trying now to achieve that within the confines of Catholicism.

There is only one way to do that, become a Priest and may or may not be trained in this by your Bishop.
The other option is becoming a psychiatrist who works with the Diocesan exorcist to discount medical issues. And that would be quite a remote option too.

In what way do you mean mental health therapist? That’s specialised training too, for example mental health nursing, psychology, social welfare, counseling, pastoral care . All require a University degree to treat the mentally ill and those undergoing life trauma.
 
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I’m talking about being a, I’m not sure the exact acronym; but a master’s level clinical psychologist. I already am hoping that I can help the diocesan exorcist; not trying to take on the devil as an unauthorized layman. That’s for half baked Protestants; not me.
 
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