How does one become a permanent deacon?

[Rsbc]

Can you briefly explain the steps involved in becoming a permanent deacon? I asked in the apologists forum, but it was suggested I try this forum since there are many deacons here…

Thanks!

 

[Deacon_Ed]

First, contact the diaconate office in your diocese so they can explain the criteria that they may have. In general, you must be at least 35 at ordination (most dioceses are now looking at men who will be between 45 and 60 at ordination), if married be in a stable marriage and have permission from your wife, have a stable work history. You should be seen as a leader in your parish and have done ministry outside the parish, usually in charitable fields, but other fields may be considered.

There is an extensive interview process: usually you and your wife, if you are married, will be interviewed by a deacon couple. There will be another interview with if you pass that one. There is a physical and psychological evaluation. Most dioceses require that the pastor submit names of potential deacons, so you will also need to speak to him before you can proceed.

Assuming you get through all of that, the normal period of formation is four years during which time you are discerning your own call while the Church is discerning your call.

It’s not an easy process.

Deacon Ed

 

[Deacon_Tony560]

There are also some old threads that you can read. I would just like to add that some diocese differ a little on length of study. My program was 7 total years: 6 months discernment, 3 years Ministry Training, 3 years Formation, 6 months internship. As Deacon Ed has stated they are looking for older men in a stable marriage. However, there were a few younger men in our class and a couple that had not been married too long.

A critical part of our interview was a look at ministry experience on the part of the candidate. The candidates were expected to have been very involved in ministry prior to applying. Our candidates were involved in: prison ministry, marriage encounter, CCD, RCIA, hospital ministry, ministry to the aged, soup kitchen management, lector, EM, and music ministry, (Just to name a few)

Deacon Tony

 

[Rsbc]

Thank you both fo your prompt and complete responses. I will contact my diocese and see what particular steps they require.

While I have expressed interest at various times in the past, I have not been invited to assist in any particular ministries (the diocese is pretty large and somewhat disorganized - not very much outreach to get others involved). Still, I will try to insist a little harder…

 

[Catholic2003]

You may also want to read the Basic Norms for the Formation of Permanent Deacons.

 

[hlgomez]

To our Deacons here,

After ordination, do deacons still work to earn a living? If they are not allowed to work “outside” where do they get money to support the family?

If they have children, is there a requirement how old would the children be before ordination?

Thanks.

Pio

 

[DEACONGS]

hlgomez:

To our Deacons here,

After ordination, do deacons still work to earn a living? If they are not allowed to work “outside” where do they get money to support the family?

If they have children, is there a requirement how old would the children be before ordination?

Thanks.

Pio

And how! Keep in mind that whatever a Permanent Deacon does in the way of ministry is done after he has put in his forty or fifty hours on the job. And remeber that these men don’t usually receive a salary or stipend to cover the expenses of being a Deacon. Vestaments, study materials (the Diocese of Rockford, IL requires Permanent Deacons to clock in sixty hours of continuing education every three years), retreats other than those offered by the diocese and just plain old gas money come right out of their pockets. I have served with Deacons who have grown children, teen aged children and infants so the age of children isn’t a issue. Yes, there are a few Permanent Deacons who work full time for a diocese and receive a salary but, like any church related job, that salary can’t equate to what a person can make in the secular world. Still, I don’t know may who would give up their calling because of the expenses involved.

Deacon Greg

 

[hlgomez]

And how! Keep in mind that whatever a Permanent Deacon does in the way of ministry is done after he has put in his forty or fifty hours on the job. And remeber that these men don’t usually receive a salary or stipend to cover the expenses of being a Deacon. Vestaments, study materials (the Diocese of Rockford, IL requires Permanent Deacons to clock in sixty hours of continuing education every three years), retreats other than those offered by the diocese and just plain old gas money come right out of their pockets. I have served with Deacons who have grown children, teen aged children and infants so the age of children isn’t a issue. Yes, there are a few Permanent Deacons who work full time for a diocese and receive a salary but, like any church related job, that salary can’t equate to what a person can make in the secular world. Still, I don’t know may who would give up their calling because of the expenses involved.

Deacon Greg

Thanks. I just wanted to be clarified since those are questions that came to my mind when I was thinking of becoming a deacon and eventually a priest, God willing. I wanted to really discern more for this calling from the Lord. He will do it in His time for me if He so wills it. God bless!

Pio

 

[Jermosh]

hlgomez:

Thanks. I just wanted to be clarified since those are questions that came to my mind when I was thinking of becoming a deacon and eventually a priest, God willing. I wanted to really discern more for this calling from the Lord. He will do it in His time for me if He so wills it. God bless!

Pio

Just a note, I am not a Deacon though. But if you plan on getting married, you must be married before your ordanation. Once your ordained you cannot get married except for very rare cases.

 

[Crusader]

Deacon Ed:

First, contact the diaconate office in your diocese so they can explain the criteria that they may have. In general, you must be at least 35 at ordination (most dioceses are now looking at men who will be between 45 and 60 at ordination), if married be in a stable marriage and have permission from your wife, have a stable work history. You should be seen as a leader in your parish and have done ministry outside the parish, usually in charitable fields, but other fields may be considered.

There is an extensive interview process: usually you and your wife, if you are married, will be interviewed by a deacon couple. There will be another interview with if you pass that one. There is a physical and psychological evaluation. Most dioceses require that the pastor submit names of potential deacons, so you will also need to speak to him before you can proceed.

Assuming you get through all of that, the normal period of formation is four years during which time you are discerning your own call while the Church is discerning your call.

It’s not an easy process.

Deacon Ed

Single males can and are ordained as permanent deacons beginning at the age of 25, not 35…

 

[Deacon_Ed]

Single males can and are ordained as permanent deacons beginning at the age of 25, not 35…

While that is true canonically, it is not true in practice. There are very few single permanent deacons, and most were considerably older that 25. In most dioceses that I’ve spoken with (and that amounts to abour 90% of the dioceses that have permanent deacons) they do not reduce the age factor for single men. They generally will not even consider them until they are 35.

Deacon Ed

 

[Crusader]

Deacon Ed:

While that is true canonically, it is not true in practice. There are very few single permanent deacons, and most were considerably older that 25. In most dioceses that I’ve spoken with (and that amounts to abour 90% of the dioceses that have permanent deacons) they do not reduce the age factor for single men. They generally will not even consider them until they are 35.

Deacon Ed

The Church sets the minimum age at 25 for a unmarried male and 35 for a married male.

Your first response to the intial question was incomplete. Your above response is misleading.

By the way, from what I have heard (which means nothing), someone who would be 65 at ordination might just be discouraged from applying to the formation…

 

[Deacon_Tony560]

Interesting discussion. Anything is possible with God. One fellow in my class got dispensed by the bishop and was over 70, when Ordained. He is one of the most active deacons in the diocese. He has a very large parish with a school. He often works 12 hours a day and sometimes 7 days a week. He is the only deacon, but 2 more are in Formation. God bless

Deacon Tony SFO

 

[stbruno]

Interested in Becoming a Deacon?

 After prayer and reflection, if you feel you are called to consider becoming a deacon, talk with your pastor.  His sponsorship is required before you can begin the first step of the journey.
 The journey begins with a year of Aspirancy; a time to discern the aspirant's readiness and acceptance as a candidate.  This is followed by three years of formation program which has courses in human, intellectual, spiritual and pastoral courses.  There are also field experiences in hospital, prison or other ministries.

Applicants to the program are men of faith and compassion who have demonstrated a willingness to serve.

Some of the requirements are:

• Age: 31-62 at time of admission
• Sound moral character
• Initiated into Catholic Church for at least three years
• If married, be in a stable, canonically valid marriage for a least five years, and have full consent of wife.
• If single, be committed to a lifetime of celibacy
• Have a high school or GED diploma
• Reside in Cook or Lake County.

Contact your local pastor if you feel you are called. You may also obtain more information from:

Diaconate Formation Program
University of St. Mary of the Lake
1000 E. Maple Avenue
Mundelein, Illinois 60060
847-837-4563 (English)
847-837-4556 (Spanish)
Fax: 847-837-4565
http://www.usml.edu

​

 

[stbruno]

Most dioceses hold information nights at various parishes throughout the city on different dates to answer questions. Bring your spouse along if you can. She may ask questions that you would not think of. Contact the diocesan offices for the dates. Classes usually begin in the late summer, early Fall.
I forgot to mention, my wife participated in all the academic classes with me along with our other ministries…to our sharing parish, to ethnic parishes, charitable works, and more. We also met weekly in small groups with mentor couples who have been and remain invaluable to me and my ministry. In our diocese, deacons also must do continuing education classes depending on our age and our years of ministry. Less is required after age 60.

Yes, deacons must be able to support themselves in all ways. We are not considered employees of the diocese. We do receive small stipends for assisting with funeral committals & baptisms, underline the small.
If you are in it thinking this is a second income…it is not. This is a ministry of service to God and his Kingdom. The rewards are out of this world though.If you are called…God will keep calling you. It took me nearly 15 years to respond to it, and boy and I am glad I did.
God is Good…All the time!

 

[Brendan]

Also, here is the Academic Course of Study I am in as part of Deaconal Formation in the ArchDiocese of Detroit.

There will probably be some variance in programs between Diocese, but it’s pretty representative.

Link Here

I was about 2 1/2 in discernment, tossing around the idea so to speak. The clincher was spending the day sitting next to a Byzantine Catholic deacon at the Catholic Men’s Conference in Detroit. That was my first oppurtunity to spend a decent bit of time in discussion with a deacon (my parish at the time didn’t have a deacon).

My wife and I went to an informative session in Aug '03, I enrolled in the Seminary for classes that Fall, while I worked on my application to the program. Essay’s, Questionaires galore, FBI background checks and a psyc exam for me and my wife. That was all done by March and I was accepted into Formation in June.

My wife is also taking a class this Semester (Intro to Theology)

In addition to the classes, we have Formation Days 1 Saturday each month.