Diaconate questions

[awalt]

I don’t want to repeat what has already been said, I am in the Deacon program of our Archdiocese, and I would only add to contact the Vocational Director in your diocese, as rules do vary somewhat. Of the questions you asked, in our archdiocese:

Be at least 31 when admitted and be < 60 when ordained.

Program has 1 year of pre-req courses, 1 year of Aspirancy, 3 years of Formation

Wife does not have to be Catholic, is invited to all sessions not required to attend any but a few (usually marriage inventory-related, and when Deacon’s wives talk about what they will face). Wives also attend a mandatory retreat in year 2 3 and 4. Wife must be supportive, they go to great lengths to ascertain this .

Must be married at least 6 years

As a final note, I also disagree that the Diaconate pulls men from the priesthood! They are vastly different vocations, one of sacraments, one of service (although of course there is overlap). If you read a book on the discernment process between the two (like Archbishop Dolan’s book on priesthood, and there are 4-5 on Amazon about Deacons), you will get a better feel for this. They complement each other, one does not replace the other.

I suspect part of this is because typical lay people do not see what either does most of the day, so they imagine the job is very similar. Just my conjecture…

 

[vocatio]

The Office of Deacon and the Office of Priest are quite different. It is the same here as all throughout the Church. There is still confusion among the laity as well as some of the clergy, but it is an anciet office. I personally believe it led to clericalism. I’m not certain about that. But it is true that you must seek counsel with the Diacaonte Vocation Director in your diocese. Requirements change from diocese to diocese. BTW St. Francis of Assisi was a deacon and so was the first martyr of the Church, St. Stephen. Kind of cool. More trivia. Oh, I’m not seeking the prieshood, just trying to make a point and educate.