Question About the Diaconate

[charlesvoyce]

I was wondering why men can start formation for the priesthood and be ordained a priest under the age of 35 but cannot be made a deacon until they are 35. Thank you for your responses.

 

[chicago]

Well, a man could start training for the deaconate when he is younger, it typically isn’t seen as what will be a permanent state, but a transitional one on the way to priesthood.

If a man is discerning a vocation to the permanent deaconate, he is likely married and the bishop generally wants to see that he has some stability of life and experience/example of proven character whereby this vocational decision won’t interfere with his first duties to family.

The particular minimum age can vary and is set by each individual bishop.

 

[Nechasin]

For many the Diaconate is a second vocation, so the Church wants to make sure that the their first vocation (marriage) is well founded. In my diocese, the age is 30. I have done some thinking and I do feel a calling, but I also feel that I need to wait until my kids are older.

 

[chicago]

For many the Diaconate is a second vocation, so the Church wants to make sure that the their first vocation (marriage) is well founded. In my diocese, the age is 30. I have done some thinking and I do feel a calling, but I also feel that I need to wait until my kids are older.

When Cardinal bevilaqua was Archbishop of Philadelphia, he wanted candidates to wait until their children were grown.