Is the diaconate ordination illicit/invalid?

[manu]

if I am to be ordained as a deacon and as per the direction of the bishop, we are having one day recollection , instead of five day retreat as said mandatory in canon 1039, is the ordination invalid/illicit?

 

[dans0622]

if I am to be ordained as a deacon and as per the direction of the bishop, we are having one day recollection , instead of five day retreat as said mandatory in canon 1039, is the ordination invalid/illicit?

Hello,

That fact alone would certainly *not *make the ordination invalid.

I’d have to think a bit more to decide whether or not I would use the word “illicit” to describe the ordination of a man who did not make the full retreat…

Dan

 

[Neofight]

if I am to be ordained as a deacon and as per the direction of the bishop, we are having one day recollection , instead of five day retreat as said mandatory in canon 1039, is the ordination invalid/illicit?

The code doesn’t say the 5 day retreat must be a single 5 day period, or that it has to be done within a certain time frame before ordination.

Have you not been on spiritual retreats as part of your formation that total 5 days?

If you have I would not worry about it.

Are you ready for the deaconate? I’m hoping your post is not an indication of your lack of trust of your bishop. If you are going to spend time second guessing his judgment, or doubting him, you may not be ready yet.

Peace and all good!

 

[G_S]

Wow. Now I’ve heard everything. We had some crazy things happen in our diocese such as when the ordination class was told to set up, plan, and carry off their own canonical retreat but it still satisfied the letter of the law. This would be on the bishop’s conscience. He is really denying the ordinands a great grace. My canonical retreat I still find to be a great blessing almost three decades later. Maybe your bishop doesn’t care very much for deacons. Is he new to the diocese? God bless you in your diaconate.

 

[FrDavid96]

if I am to be ordained as a deacon and as per the direction of the bishop, we are having one day recollection , instead of five day retreat as said mandatory in canon 1039, is the ordination invalid/illicit?

I’m taking this as a hypothetical situation, since you began the question with “If I am to be ordained…”

If the bishops directs that a one-day recollection replace the retreat, then that’s what would happen. The bishop can dispense from the retreat, either in whole or in part.

The requirement of a retreat is a discipline. It does not make the ordination invalid.

 

[G_S]

I’m taking this as a hypothetical situation, since you began the question with “If I am to be ordained…”

If the bishops directs that a one-day recollection replace the retreat, then that’s what would happen. The bishop can dispense from the retreat, either in whole or in part.

The requirement of a retreat is a discipline. It does not make the ordination invalid.

Father David,

The requirement of a five day retreat seems pretty absolute in Canon Law.

“Can. 1039 All candidates for any order are to make a spiritual retreat for at least five days in a place and manner determined by the ordinary. Before the bishop proceeds to ordination, he must be certain that the candidates properly made this retreat.”

A bishop cannot issue dispensations from every canon and it seems that he would attempt to dispense from this one only for the gravest of reasons. I can’t imagine what they would be. I hope I am wrong but it seems that he is showing a bit of contempt for the diaconal order or at least holding it in low esteem. I would like to presume good intentions but what could they possibly be? Would you respond differently if he were to say a day of recollection was sufficient for advancement to the priesthood?

 

[agnes_therese]

Father David,

The requirement of a five day retreat seems pretty absolute in Canon Law.

“Can. 1039 All candidates for any order are to make a spiritual retreat for at least five days in a place and manner determined by the ordinary. Before the bishop proceeds to ordination, he must be certain that the candidates properly made this retreat.”

A bishop cannot issue dispensations from every canon and it seems that he would attempt to dispense from this one only for the gravest of reasons. I can’t imagine what they would be. I hope I am wrong but it seems that he is showing a bit of contempt for the diaconal order or at least holding it in low esteem. I would like to presume good intentions but what could they possibly be? Would you respond differently if he were to say a day of recollection was sufficient for advancement to the priesthood?

Since, as you yourself point out, we don’t know the reason, isn’t it a bit presumptuous to accuse a bishop of “contempt for the diaconal order?”

 

[SyroMalankara]

if I am to be ordained as a deacon and as per the direction of the bishop, we are having one day recollection , instead of five day retreat as said mandatory in canon 1039, is the ordination invalid/illicit?

Your ordination would be both valid and licit, the retreat is preferable but cannot affect validity or licity.

 

[TimothyH]

If it is that big of a concern that sign up for a five day retreat at the nearest monastery.

-Tim-

 

[G_S]

If it is that big of a concern that sign up for a five day retreat at the nearest monastery.

-Tim-

Manu, I would modify Tim’s comment a bit and say even if it’s not a big concern for you, go on a five day retreat. It would be such a wonderful way to prepare for ordination.