On Becoming a Deacon in the RCC

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I have felt a strong calling here lately to become a Priest, however I also want to have a family…so being a Deacon may suit me just right. What type of formation do you have to undergo to become a Deacon? How difficult is it? How do I start the process? Are there any disqualifying factors? Thanks to all who help me out. God Bless
 
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dumspirospero:
I have felt a strong calling here lately to become a Priest, however I also want to have a family…so being a Deacon may suit me just right. What type of formation do you have to undergo to become a Deacon? How difficult is it? How do I start the process? Are there any disqualifying factors? Thanks to all who help me out. God Bless
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A few things to remember. Once Ordained (Deacon or Priest) you cannot enter into Marriage. Most diocese will not Ordain a Married man a Deacon until his children are grown and are on their own.
 
Br. Rich SFO:
A few things to remember. Once Ordained (Deacon or Priest) you cannot enter into Marriage. Most diocese will not Ordain a Married man a Deacon until his children are grown and are on their own.
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Actually while this was true at one time the rules as a deacon are now less strict. My own deacon was ordained while in his late 30’s and he had realtively (10 though early teen years) young kids at the time. Also originally if your wife died as a deacon you could not remarry now hower this is permitted, remarriage after a spouse’s death.
However the rule of a deacon not being allowed to marry after his ordination is still in effect.
There are single deacons still some brothers who wish not to be priest but wish to serve the church can wish be ordained deacons.
In fact this is what Saint Francis did. HE was never a priest but he happy as a deacon.
In america it is more common to have married deacons than single deacons who are usually brothers of a religious community.
 
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Maccabees:
Actually while this was true at one time the rules as a deacon are now less strict. My own deacon was ordained while in his late 30’s and he had realtively (10 though early teen years) young kids at the time. Also originally if your wife died as a deacon you could not remarry now hower this is permitted, remarriage after a spouse’s death.
However the rule of a deacon not being allowed to marry after his ordination is still in effect.
There are single deacons still some brothers who wish not to be priest but wish to serve the church can wish be ordained deacons.
In fact this is what Saint Francis did. HE was never a priest but he happy as a deacon.
In america it is more common to have married deacons than single deacons who are usually brothers of a religious community.
Click to expand...
“Also originally if your wife died as a deacon you could not remarry now hower this is permitted, remarriage after a spouse’s death.”

Where is this? If allowed this would go directly against Canon Law. If dispensed the dispensation would need to be obtained on a case by case basis from the Holy See I believe.
 
My father was Ordained a Deacon in the Archdiocese of Detroit in the first group to be Ordained after Vatican II. I was 3 years old, my sister was 11, and there were three more older than us.

My understanding was always that once you are Ordained a Deacon you cannot marry even if your wife dies. At the time of my fathers Ordination there was a vow that was taken to that affect (don’t remember what that vow was called.) The only way for that to change would be for that vow to be dropped. I don’t think that they are allowed to remarry even now.

My father always told me that the requirements for becomeing a permanant Deacon were that you are at least 35 years old, and married.
 
I believe exact qualifications to be considered for admitance to the formation process will vary from diocese to diocese. Here in the Austin area you must be 35 by the time of ordination, if you are married you must have been married for five years, and if you are converted catholic, you must have been Catholic for five years.

As a deacon if your wife passes away, you may not remarry.

I am discerning the call to the diaconate myself. I feel a strong pull to be a Deacon. I also know that I have a calling as a husband and as a father.
 
Canon law allows for a dispensation for remarriage in the case of deacons whose very young children would be adversely affected by the absence of a mother.
 
Hi. You say that you would like a family. It could very well be that you are called to have a family, but it could also be true that you are not. If you feel that you are called to the priesthood, then it follows that God is not calling you to the vocation of marriage (unless He is also calling you to switch to one of the Eastern Churches! 🙂 ), so I suppose, through prayer, circumstances, and talks with a spiritual director, you must discern whether or not you have an authentic call to the priesthood. The diaconate isn’t there just for those who feel called to the priesthood, but want to have a family—no, it is a calling in and of itself. You must ask yourself, are you called to be a priest or a deacon?

You must consider the possibility that God is calling you to the priesthood, and that your desire to have a family is simply your desire, and not God’s. (I’m not saying it is, just that it could be the case).

God bless you.

And don’t forge to ask our Lady for guidance as well!
 
Br. Rich SFO said:
“Also originally if your wife died as a deacon you could not remarry now hower this is permitted, remarriage after a spouse’s death.”

Where is this? If allowed this would go directly against Canon Law. If dispensed the dispensation would need to be obtained on a case by case basis from the Holy See I believe.
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You can get remarried albeit with certain qualifications and a lot of deacons now adays would quialify as many have children since the age is from age 35 and up and for older deacons many have elderly parents who need care so they qualify too. Even if those are not met if just happen to be busy and needed at the church you qualify! From what I understand if the requests meets these criterai deacons are given permission rather easily.

Here is some info from the National Catholic Reporter excuse the liberal slant and the snide remarks that the church has given the deacon this right soley to have his wife as a worker bee for him.
I think a lot of you guys are using the old deacons almanac prior to 1997 😃 things have changed.
Consider the Vatican’s former norms, which allowed a widowed deacon to remarry and continue in his ministry only if three conditions were simultaneously fulfilled: his work as deacon was much needed by the local church; no scandal was involved; and he had young children in need of motherly care. The rule spoke volumes about the “genius of women,” not to mention the sacrament of marriage.

Not only was the diaconate reserved for men only, but a widowed deacon, no matter how valuable to the church, was obliged to embrace celibacy if he wished to continue his ministry – unless, that is, a woman had to be acquired to take care of the kids.

Now, the Vatican has announced, the norm has been modified – slightly (NCR, Aug. 29).

Under the new regulations, any one of the following conditions by itself might merit a dispensation for remarriage: that the deacon is much needed in the local church; that he has young children requiring care; or that he has elderly parents or parents-in-law in need of care.

There’s a bit of progress here to be sure, but the function of women remains even clearer that before.

They are caregivers – for the very young and the very old. No mention of how the sacrament of marriage might aid the deacon in his work within the church, not even a consideration of how the new wife might contribute to the ministry.

National Catholic Reporter, Sept 12, 1997
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For married men that want a greater bond with the Church, is the deaconate the only option? And are they only able to be deacons in a diocese, or can they be a deacon in a particular order (Franciscan, Dominician, etc)?
 
The role of the Deaconate is not always well defined in some dioceses. Take for instance mine in Wichita the only Deacons are the men in seminary on the way of becoming priests.
 
Andreas Hofer:
Canon law allows for a dispensation for remarriage in the case of deacons whose very young children would be adversely affected by the absence of a mother.
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From who is this obtained? Which canons?
 
As twf said don’t ignore that feeling of being called to priesthood. I myslef had that feeling of being called to priesthood and wanting to have a family, so I thought becoming a Deacon was for me. I am now in my first year at a college seminary.

I would suggest that you ask God to help you see clearly his will and not your own. It took me a long time to realize that I wasn’t giving God a chance to show me his will. If you have been feeling a call to be a Priest then go talk to your vocation director in your diocese, and look at some seminaries. Seminary is a great place to let God talk to you and for you to realize your vocation. If nothing else you will come out having a much deeper relationship with God and become a great father and husband.
 
I’m a father of young kids and I’m not even sure whether I’m done having kids (Im 43 and my wife is 39) - that’s unknown. But I have the desire to participate more fully in my Parish and others tell me I would be an excellent teacher. I am pretty gregarious and have other talents to offer. A priest suggested that I consider being a deacon. I really don’t even know what a deacon is. Could someone give me the basics of what the primary function of a deacon is and what educational requirements apply?

thanks

Phil
 
Philthy: An deacon is ordained, the same as a priest or bishop and receives the sacrament of Holy Orders.

Deacon’s are much different than the other two as their primary ministry is caring for people in need. That caring includes help to the poor, the sick, the imprisoned, the unchurched etc. It also includes caring for people through leading prayers, assisting the priest at mass, reading the word of God, preaching, teaching, leading prayer and presiding at weddings, funerals & baptisms.

It is a lifelong commitment and requires a program of formation of 4 to 5 years including at least a year of discernment/aspirancy. The application process includes extensive examination of you and usually the conscent and support of your spouse. Many dioceses include the spouse in the formation program as well. Your priorities as a deacon will be your family first, your job second, and your ministry third.

You must be 35 years old at time of ordination if you are married and be self-supporting. Deacon’s are normally not paid. At ordinantion you will vow obedience to the Bishop and agree not to remarry if your wife dies. You may or may not be asked to work in you home parish. Your work is at the discretion of the Bishop. If you are interested call your local diocese office and ask if the diocese has a deacon formation program. If so, speak to both the director of the program and your pastor as you will require his support and help throughout. Starting today, pray for God’s help in your discernment and to know your true vocation.

Patrick
 
cin.org/docs/deacon98.html

CONGREGATION FOR CATHOLIC EDUCATION

CONGREGATION FOR THE CLERGY

BASIC NORMS FOR THE FORMATION OF PERMANENT DEACONS

DIRECTORY FOR THE MINISTRY AND LIFE OF PERMANENT DEACONS

LIBRERIA EDITRICE VATICANA VATICAN CITY 1998

CONGREGATION FOR CATHOLIC EDUCATION

CONGREGATION FOR THE CLERGY

JOINT DECLARATION AND INTRODUCTION

JOINT DECLARATION
 
It used to be that a deacon had to make a written pledge not to re-marry. I asked a Monsignor in charge of deacon formation and he states that the example given in these forums was always valid,and that these days the church is not strict on the re-marriage issue. In any case, many deacons are of an age where they would want to pursue their vocation in a celibate manner.
 
If you are young perphaps enter formation to be a priest. The journey will clarify much of your thoughts. I know of more than one deacon who found out through the seminary that he should be married and then came back years later to become a deacon. This could be your calling but you will never know unless you first see if you are not called to be a priest and if not then maybe a married deacon later in life.

God Bless
 
Hi

I’m very interested in knowing what’s exactly the role of a Deacon. I mean, I’m preparing myself for being a Priest (well… I’ll still have to stay at the Seminary for severa years, I entered just a year ago). I have more or less clear what means to be a Priest, but, though I have been asking and investigating, I’m still not sure of what’s the identity of a Deacon. When it will come the time for me to become a Deacon in order to be ordained Priest, I’d like to know what will it mean being a Deacon.

I hope you can understand me, english is not my main language… ^_^U
 
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