PROCESS OF DIACONATE FORMATION
IV. Discernment to the Sacred Order of Deacon Prior to Formation
The discernment to the vocation of deacon begins with God’s grace. The man who listens with his heart and hears our Lord’s invitation to serve the Church in the Sacred Order of Deacon will be tested by the Church to determine the validity of his call; if found worthy the Church calls him to the Order of Deacon.
“The First Letter of St. Paul to Timothy provides the first principle for the selection of deacons: ‘They should be tested first; then, if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons’ 1 Tim 3:10. St. Thomas Aquinas offers an additional insight: Grace builds on nature. Those who have worked closely with the reestablishment of the diaconate conclude that the diaconate is a particular vocation called forth by the Holy Spirit, that a successful process of training and development can only cooperate with fundamental preexisting traits and dispositions that point to a diaconal vocation and build upon them, and that the process of training and development can be successful only in supportive life circumstances.” (Par: 159, NDFMPD)
First, the inquirer, one interested in becoming a deacon, must strengthen his spiritual and sacramental life. This type of religious journey needs guidance and it is first the pastor and spiritual director who are the primary sources of guidance. Other forms of insights come from the family of the inquirer (especially, if married, his wife), the resources of the parish, and deacons and priests. The inquirer must immerse himself in Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Daily prayer is essential to hearing God’s voice. Frequent participation at Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, devotion to the Saints and, in particular, devotion to Mary the Mother of God are indispensable to the spiritual journey.
The inquirer begins his journey towards becoming a deacon by entering into dialogue with his pastor who is responsible for nominating him to St. Francis School of Theology for Deacons. The pastor’s letter will present the inquirer and testify to his character and that he is a practicing Catholic who is well-grounded in his faith. The pastor will also document the variety of ministries that the inquirer is involved with and his ministerial history. If the inquirer is married, the pastor’s letter will introduce the wife and her relationship to her Catholicity. Dialogue with the pastor should begin at least 6 months prior to the orientation sessions that the Archdiocese conducts to inform the inquirer of the role of St. Francis School in the formation of future deacons. Currently orientation sessions are held every two years in October and November on even numbered years, with the acceptance process and screening completed by the end of February.
