Diaconate

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For the longest time I have held a fascination with the diaconate. I can remember when I was younger (about 8 or 10) wanting to become a monk and live in a monastery. This is a pretty heavy thing, since I was raised Protestant (Presbyterian) for a quarter century. I recently converted to the Church in December of 2009 and am married with 3 children (ages 6, 4, and 4months old) now.

I know that cloistered life is no longer in the books for me, but I still feel a calling to serve God and the Church in some way as to dedicate my entire life to Him. I have done some research and feel that the Diaconate may be one avenue that I feel compelled to persue. One problem… I am active duty Navy and am stationed overseas in Okinawa Japan. I will be returning to the US late next year and don’t even know where I will be geographically.

Are there any Deacons, Priests or people in my situation that frequent Catholic Answers that can give me any advice on how to discern if this is God’s will, my will, or both?
 
You may wish to get in touch with the Archdiocese for the Military Services in the USA (speak to a catholic chaplain) and ask about spiritual direction and if there are any formation programs available. Discernment of such a vocation is something done individually at first, and then with a widening circle as you continue the process.

The Archdiocese for the Military Services does not ordain deacons, but they will accept the service of deacons ordained in other dioceses.

You may need to wait until you are not on active duty to pursue formation or you may not, it varies with where you end up and the local bishop’s decision.

I’ll try to remember to ask Archbishop Broglio about their current policies on October 10 when he comes to our parish to celebrate confirmation - but I make no promises that I will have a chance to do so.

Peace,

Deacon Patrick
 
frizzgrig said:
You may wish to get in touch with the Archdiocese for the Military Services in the USA (speak to a catholic chaplain) and ask about spiritual direction and if there are any formation programs available. Discernment of such a vocation is something done individually at first, and then with a widening circle as you continue the process.

The Archdiocese for the Military Services does not ordain deacons, but they will accept the service of deacons ordained in other dioceses.

You may need to wait until you are not on active duty to pursue formation or you may not, it varies with where you end up and the local bishop’s decision.

I’ll try to remember to ask Archbishop Broglio about their current policies on October 10 when he comes to our parish to celebrate confirmation - but I make no promises that I will have a chance to do so.

Peace,

Deacon Patrick
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Thanks Deacon Patrick, I have met the Archbishop several times. I think he is a great guy, and very wise.
 
frizzgrig said:
You may wish to get in touch with the Archdiocese for the Military Services in the USA (speak to a catholic chaplain) and ask about spiritual direction and if there are any formation programs available. Discernment of such a vocation is something done individually at first, and then with a widening circle as you continue the process.

The Archdiocese for the Military Services does not ordain deacons, but they will accept the service of deacons ordained in other dioceses.

You may need to wait until you are not on active duty to pursue formation or you may not, it varies with where you end up and the local bishop’s decision.

I’ll try to remember to ask Archbishop Broglio about their current policies on October 10 when he comes to our parish to celebrate confirmation - but I make no promises that I will have a chance to do so.

Peace,

Deacon Patrick
Click to expand...
Are there any literary works or online resources that will help better prepare me for the theological study that accompanies some deacon formation in some parishes?
For instance, while I was in Virginia, the Deacons were sent to college to study and after 4 years had earned a Masters in Theology.
 
Every diocese has a different formation program. Some require earning a masters degree, some do not. If you have never studied philosophy, that is a good place to start. A working understanding of concepts like form, matter, accidents, and nature (all according to philosophy) help when studying St. Thomas Aquinas and other doctors of the church.
 
SuperSailor said:
Are there any literary works or online resources that will help better prepare me for the theological study that accompanies some deacon formation in some parishes?
For instance, while I was in Virginia, the Deacons were sent to college to study and after 4 years had earned a Masters in Theology.
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Read The Emerging Diaconate by William T. Ditewig.

books.google.com/books/content?id=MSpOXG-t7jgC&printsec=frontcover&img=1&zoom=1&edge=curl&imgtk=AFLRE71EKFmF46GD7be-GNJhC1DqbBVJNifuWsfoIKOdrU33WoIZP8LaJXkq5XCazzjDV9L-pOWxb-9VgN81JzZaasCiyidHm6Sla92GVZM_8gN_nNNKpLq0PaLHoOPM2Dkd034wI-W4

Also The National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States.

-Tim-
 
SuperSailor said:
For the longest time I have held a fascination with the diaconate. I can remember when I was younger (about 8 or 10) wanting to become a monk and live in a monastery. This is a pretty heavy thing, since I was raised Protestant (Presbyterian) for a quarter century. I recently converted to the Church in December of 2009 and am married with 3 children (ages 6, 4, and 4months old) now.

I know that cloistered life is no longer in the books for me, but I still feel a calling to serve God and the Church in some way as to dedicate my entire life to Him. I have done some research and feel that the Diaconate may be one avenue that I feel compelled to persue. One problem… I am active duty Navy and am stationed overseas in Okinawa Japan. I will be returning to the US late next year and don’t even know where I will be geographically.

Are there any Deacons, Priests or people in my situation that frequent Catholic Answers that can give me any advice on how to discern if this is God’s will, my will, or both?
Click to expand...
Personally I feel a call too. To either the Diaconate or to the Priesthood. However; I am also married. My re-conversion back to the church took place November 7th 2014. I felt I was being called to the priesthood for some reason in December and said if I turned on the news and found out the Pope lifted the ban I’ll join no questions asked. Well I searched YouTube the next day and found He lifted the ban on the Eastern rite. The earliest article I could find was dated November 14th. Exactly 7 days after my reconversion. I would not be surprised if the actual date it was lifted was November 7th lol but no one knows the exact date he lifted it from what I could find. However; I feel I am possibly being prepared for the priesthood if Pope Francis lifts the ban on the Latin Rite. So I don’t think you’re alone. I would bet many of us are getting some type of call and guidance from the Holy Spirit in order for the Church to have a come back so to speak. The priesthood is in need of strong leaders. But either way I’ve had too many things happen to me that even if the ban isn’t lifted I will probably go to the Diaconate when I’m of age. But if you’re getting all these feelings I would personally suggest to increase your prayer life and meditation and just be patient. Give yourself over to the Holy Spirit and things will probably “flow” into what God wants you to do.

Disclaimer: These are my personal reconversion experiences and its not considered to be professional advice.
 
SuperSailor said:
Thanks TimothyH, I will have to check it out.😃
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The next step after that is to “out” yourself. You said you have already met with your Bishop? You don’t have to scream it from the rooftop but you could quietly talk to someone who will get you started.

In the territorial diocese there will be a vocations director. The pastor at your parish will get you in touch with them. I don’t know how it works in the military but you might be able to get with the vocations director where you are stationed or where you spend time when back home.

Ask to go to the inquiry meeting. There you will meet with the head of diaconate formation for the diocese, speak with other deacons and deacons wives, learn about the course load, what the life of a deacon is like, etc. The inquiry meetings were very helpful to me.

Another thing that helped me was a vocations retreat at a monastery. 4 or 5 days in quiet prayer, able to get direction with an older monk, etc. It was wonderful.
 
TimothyH said:
The next step after that is to “out” yourself. You said you have already met with your Bishop? You don’t have to scream it from the rooftop but you could quietly talk to someone who will get you started.

In the territorial diocese there will be a vocations director. The pastor at your parish will get you in touch with them. I don’t know how it works in the military but you might be able to get with the vocations director where you are stationed or where you spend time when back home.

Ask to go to the inquiry meeting. There you will meet with the head of diaconate formation for the diocese, speak with other deacons and deacons wives, learn about the course load, what the life of a deacon is like, etc. The inquiry meetings were very helpful to me.

Another thing that helped me was a vocations retreat at a monastery. 4 or 5 days in quiet prayer, able to get direction with an older monk, etc. It was wonderful.
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This is all great information! I appreciate all the information and advice you provided. Thank you very much!👍
 
Louman127 said:
Personally I feel a call too. To either the Diaconate or to the Priesthood. However; I am also married. My re-conversion back to the church took place November 7th 2014. I felt I was being called to the priesthood for some reason in December and said if I turned on the news and found out the Pope lifted the ban I’ll join no questions asked. Well I searched YouTube the next day and found He lifted the ban on the Eastern rite. The earliest article I could find was dated November 14th. Exactly 7 days after my reconversion. I would not be surprised if the actual date it was lifted was November 7th lol but no one knows the exact date he lifted it from what I could find. However; I feel I am possibly being prepared for the priesthood if Pope Francis lifts the ban on the Latin Rite. So I don’t think you’re alone. I would bet many of us are getting some type of call and guidance from the Holy Spirit in order for the Church to have a come back so to speak. The priesthood is in need of strong leaders. But either way I’ve had too many things happen to me that even if the ban isn’t lifted I will probably go to the Diaconate when I’m of age. But if you’re getting all these feelings I would personally suggest to increase your prayer life and meditation and just be patient. Give yourself over to the Holy Spirit and things will probably “flow” into what God wants you to do.

Disclaimer: These are my personal reconversion experiences and its not considered to be professional advice.
Click to expand...
There is a man at RC church that I attend who is a former Protestant and was an Episcopal priest before. He is married. A couple of months ago, the pastor announced that this man’s petitiin/paperwork to become a Catholic priest has been approved.

First, he has to be a deacon before he becomes a priest. He became a deacon about a month or so ago, and he is supposed to be ordained into the priesthood early next year.
 
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