Permanent Diaconate Formation
Contact UsThe permanent diaconate formation program provides training in spirituality, human development, academics (Scripture, theology, Church history, Vatican II, homiletics, etc.) and pastoral ministry during a four- to four-and-a-half year time period.
All during this time, the program/staff is helping the aspirant/candidate to continue discerning the possible call from God to be ordained. The final discernment is by the bishop. The requirements to apply for formation training include, but are not limited to:
- Support from the local pastor and parish community
- Be in a stable marriage for the last five years (if married)
- The applicant must be a Catholic in good standing for a minimum of five years at time of application
- If married, the marriage must have been blessed by the Catholic Church
- An applicant’s wife must be fully supportive of entering formation and must also attend all the weekend classes each month
- The wife does not have to do homework/tests unless she wants to
- The minimum age for ordination is 35 years old
A formation class began in August 2008. The tentative start time for the next formation class would be the fall of 2013 or early 2014. Information meetings will be announced and held prior to that time. See the following for more information:
- Candidates now one step closer to ordination
- Candidates installed as lectors
- A step closer to ordination
- Co-directors to lead diocese's diaconate formation program
- History in the making
- Diaconate formation class, largest ever, is set to begin in August
- 50 men in class represent all ages and parts of diocese