PROCESS OF DIACONATE FORMATION
V. Inquiry Period
The inquiry period begins when the inquirer contacts his pastor and ends when the Aspirancy year begins. The inquiry period includes dialogue with the pastor, attending an orientation session (with wife, if married), submitting an application, passing canonical scrutinies, an autobiography (including wife, if married), and an interview (with wife, if married) with the Admission and Scrutinies Committee. The admissions process will determine if the inquirer is accepted into the inquiry period. The next phase of the inquiry period begins in March with Pre-Aspirancy classes. These classes are mandatory (including wives) and are held on the Saturdays and Sundays on regular formation days for five consecutive formation weekends. The married inquirer must have permission from his wife to proceed into the Pre-Aspirancy period. Below are the topics and subjects cover during the Pre-Aspirancy period.
1. Liturgy of Hours
2. National Directory for The formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States:
Chapter One and Two. (Doctrinal Understanding of Diaconate; The Ministry and Life of the Deacon)
3. Spousal communication techniques (Speaker/Listener technique)
4. Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part II: Section 2; Chapter 2: Baptism.
5. Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part II: Chapter 3; Article 7: Matrimony
(focus on its relationship to diaconate).
6. The 12 Articles of the Creed.
7. Issues within the FOCUS and REFOCUS using Speaker/Listener Technique.
8. Catholic Morals and Faith: Sexuality and Enculturation of Secular Ideology .
9. Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part II: Chapter 3; Article 6: Holy Orders.
10. Introduction to Lectio Divina and Journaling.
11. Study Skills and Time Management.
12. Formation Expectations and Responsibilities.
13. Orientation to Christ the King and Redemptoris Mater Chapels.
14. Prayerful reflection using Lectio Divina, and discussion.
15. Morning and Evening prayer Saturdays and Sundays, Sunday Mass and the opportunity for the
Sacrament of Reconciliation
