Permanent Deacon

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cajuncatholic85

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Hello all,
I was wondering do you need to go to a seminary to become a permanent deacon?

God bless,
cajuncatholic85
 
I can only speak for the Chicago Archdiocese and the answer is a qualified “no”.

I was in the diaconate program here in the Chicago Archdiocese and our classes and activities did not require attending the seminary.

We did have a couple of activities at the seminary, but most of our classes and other activities were held elsewhere.

Hope this helps.
Rich
 
cajuncatholic85 said:
Hello all,
I was wondering do you need to go to a seminary to become a permanent deacon?

God bless,
cajuncatholic85
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Each diocese is like a little separate state. The deacon programs have norms but still differ greatly. Some programs have classes at a seminary, usually on weekends. You are not in the seminary like a seminarian. My program was for 7 years-discernment-ministry formation-deacon formation-deacon internship.

God bless,
deacon tony
 
As each of the previous posters has noted, every diocese has its own formation program, but in general, no, the deacon’s formation is not a seminary program. While there are similarities, and some of the classes (scripture, theology, specific ministerial classes like grief ministry, etc.) may even be the same, the candidate is in formation to be a deacon, not a priest, and there are differences. For one, most candidates in a diaconate formation program have full-time jobs and families to care for. This does not necessarily mean that the deacon’s formation is any less than the priests’, only different (at least, it *should *not be less).

You can find a good version of the Basic Norms for the Formation and Life of Permanent Deacons here. If you really want to know what it might be like though, ask a deacon in your diocese, or contact the chancery office of your diocese and they will point you to a resource (usually the vocations office).

Dcn. Jim Pearce
 
Good advise, Jim. I am in the diocese south of you. I really admire Father Illo.

Dcn tony
 
Our diocese uses priests to teach the classes but a neighboring diocese makes you enroll in theology courses at a college.
 
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