Men Study to be Deacons for Five Years

The Diaconate Formation Office coordinates formation to the permanent diaconate for the Diocese of Little Rock. Classes for a new diaconate formation class are scheduled to begin in the fall of 2023. This five-year, bilingual program is open to Catholic men in good standing with the Church, who will be 35 years old by their ordination date. The next ordination is scheduled for 2028. For more information, contact Deacon Mark Verkamp, director of permanent diaconate formation. | Contact Us | Deacon Directory | En Español

Weekend classes are held monthly. The English program is presented by St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana, where many of the diocese's seminarians also receive their priestly formation. Instructors provide in-person courses at St. John Catholic Center in Little Rock along with online courses for 11 months a year for five years. Spanish formation is provided by diocesan clergy and laity through in-person courses also at St. John Catholic Center for 11 months a year for five years. For more information about formation in Spanish, email Deacon Marcelino Luna, associate director of faith formation, or call him at (501) 664-0340, ext. 392.

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Diaconate Formation Class of 2022

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor ordained 46 men to the diaconate in two ordination Masses in Little Rock and Rogers in June 2022. It was the largest class to be ordained to permanent diaconate in the history of the diocese. It was the fulfillment of a six-year journey for the men who discerned, followed by a year of aspirancy and continued throughout the years with a curriculum focusing on the four pillars of academic, spiritual, pastoral and human formation. The men were joined by their wives, who also attended the monthly formation classes and supported them in their vocation. Learn more about the Class of 2022 or watch the Little Rock ordination Mass below.

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