Overview of Admissions and Formation

Information

“Select from among you reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task.” – Acts 6:3

The Archdiocese of Louisville starts a new class for the Permanent Diaconate every 4 years. The next class is scheduled to start in July of 2023. The selection process typically takes 4-6 months. Starting in 2021, we will offer Information Sessions that present details of the Permanent Diaconate and the Formation Process. These meetings occur in pairs, with one meeting focusing on the shape of the diaconate in the archdiocese and the discernment process and the second focusing on the application and formation process.

The application process starts with a “pre-application” and includes references, interviews, and a psychological assessment.

“I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have…” -2 Timothy 1:6

The formation for the Permanent Diaconate in the Archdiocese of Louisville is a five (5) year process. In order to prepare candidates to be a Minister of Charity, a Minister of the Word, and a Minister of Liturgy, the formation is built around the person, the knowledge, and the spirituality of the potential future deacon. During this time, the formation is focused on 4 areas:

Spiritual – the relationship between God and man

Human – the relationship of man with all others and the ability of man to reflect on himself

Intellect – the scholastic knowledge developed and taught by our church

Pastoral – ability to convey the message of God in the way that the person in front of you needs; ability to bring others closer to God

The first year is called the Aspirancy Year.  It is a year of discernment for the Inquirer. This first year gives an introduction to formation, allows the Formation team time to get to know this potential deacon and prepares the candidate for the following years of formation.  During the first year, the candidate, and wife if applicable, will meet one Saturday each month. Candidates will be assigned a mentor couple and select a spiritual director to meet with monthly. They will also participate in a new ministry experience outside of the parish of 30-40 hours.  Toward the end of the year, with advice from the Selection Committee, the Archbishop will determine whether to accept the aspirant into candidacy (years 2-5).

If the decision is to continue formation, the candidates and their wives will meet once a month for the weekend, Friday evening through Sunday afternoon. This will include higher level Theology courses, continued pastoral, human, and spiritual formation, and practicums on liturgy, preaching, and canon law. In addition, candidates will be expected to take part in different ministries that give them experience in different contexts.

Typically, the Diaconate Office provides a calendar of the required formation events over the five years at the first meeting in the aspirancy year.

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” -Ephesians 3: 14-17

Most men in diaconate formation are married. Whether married or single, they have careers, hobbies, parish ministries, prayer-time, and most important: families. The reality of limited hours in the week means the man must understand how to manage his time, watch his priorities, and then integrate his activities to respond to God’s call in his life.

For men who are married, the sacrament of marriage remains his first vocation and therefore his priority. From the initial discernment, a man’s wife and family should be involved.  In the 5 years in formation, your wife and family must be the primary consideration.  New diaconate cohorts start every four years. During formation, some men recognize the need to address a family matter (e.g. child that needs attention or a parent that needs special care) and may ask to suspend his formation until the next cohort begins.

It is expected, in the Archdiocese of Louisville, that during formation the wife attend as many sessions as possible and participate fully in the formation process. Consideration for exempting or limiting the wife’s involvement will be given on a case by case basis. It is important to their marriage that the man and his wife grow together through the process.

“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.” -1 Corinthians 12:4-7

From the beginning, the progression to the Permanent Diaconate should be an outgrowth from a man’s ministries in his parish.  Most inquirers come with experience in one or many of the following areas:

  • Charity (Minister to the homebound or hospital, food pantry, visits to the incarcerated)
  • Liturgy (EMHC, Lector, Sacristan, Music)
  • Word (Catechist, RCIA, Adult Ed)

The formation process for the candidate is intended to extend his  knowledge of the Catholic faith, to explore areas of Spirituality and Theology, and to provide insight and formation into Sacraments and Liturgy.

The Pastor begins the process by meeting with the couple; and then, if he chooses, nominates the couple for consideration to the Diaconate.  The Pastor also becomes part of the formation process from the introduction to Ordination and beyond.

At the start of formation, the man may be asked to step away or limit his involvement in parish ministry. Once installed as Candidate, Lector, and Acolyte, he will begin to refocus on ministries within his parish.

The parish is an important place for the diaconate candidate to grow in his ministry, with feedback, encouragement, and prayers from the Pastor, parishioners, and staff.

On Faithfulness

“To be faithful servants, you can’t be stingy with your time, but give it generously even at the most inconvenient moments.”

On Availability
“One who serves is not a slave to his own agenda, but ever ready to deal with the unexpected, ever available to his brothers and sisters and ever open to God’s constant surprises. Don’t worry about the timetable: have the courage to look past the timetable.”

On Humility

Francis reminded Deacons to imitate the Lord himself, who is “meek and humble of heart” and who lived to serve. Similarly, like Jesus, the Pope urged, be patient, kind and present.

On a Healthy Heart
Being ready to serve, he also noted, requires a healthy heart: “a heart healed by God, one which knows forgiveness and is neither closed nor hardened.”  The Pope encouraged them to pray daily to be healed by Jesus and to grow more like Him.

Requirements

“Similarly, deacons must be dignified, not deceitful, not addicted to drink, not greedy for sordid gain, holding fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.” – 1 Timothy 3:7-8

General:

An applicant must be a male, fully initiated into the Roman Catholic Church, and active in their parish and ministry.

Marriage/Celibacy:

A person, if married, must be in a canonically valid marriage. A married deacon who is widowed must commit to a celibate life. A person who is single at the time of ordination must be committed to celibacy.

Education:

A minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent (e.g. GED) is required before the second year of formation.

Residency:

A person must have legal residency and canonical domicile or quasi-domicile in the diocese. If married, his spouse must also have legal residency and canonical domicile or quasi-domicile in the diocese.

Age:

A man entering the inquiry process for the Permanent Diaconate should be between the age of 30 and 59.

We encourage those who fall outside these age guidelines to be a vital part of their parish and offer service to our Archdiocese. For example, being a catechist (Word), an acolyte (Liturgy), or becoming involved in Pastoral Care Ministry in the hospitals or correctional system (Charity). “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” (Mt 9:37)

Time Requirements:

Time for formation for the permanent diaconate in the first year (at a minimum) will include one Saturday a month for ten months, a weekend retreat in the summer, one hour a month in spiritual direction, and one hour a month meeting with the mentor couple.

In the next four years the time commitment will be one weekend a month for ten months (Friday evening, all day Saturday, and most of Sunday), a weekend retreat, study/homework time (5-10 hours per week), and special ministry.  For most, this time commitment will be in addition to their normal life of family, church ministry, and career.  A full five year calendar of classes and formation will be provided once accepted into formation.

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