Formation for Faithful Service: The Permanent Diaconate Journey

The Permanent Diaconate is a significant and ancient tradition within the Catholic Church that plays a crucial role in serving the community’s spiritual and practical needs. Those who embark on the journey to become permanent deacons undergo a rigorous formation process, equipping them with the necessary skills, knowledge, and spiritual depth to serve faithfully. Here, you can explore the permanent diaconate formation program.

Understanding the Permanent Diaconate

The Permanent Diaconate is a vocation within the Catholic Church that allows married or single men to serve as deacons permanently. Like transitional deacons who become priests, permanent deacons remain in their ordained ministry for life. The role of a permanent deacon is diverse, encompassing liturgical, pastoral, and charitable duties. They serve as a bridge between the clergy and the laity, bringing the message of the Gospel to the community tangibly and practically.

• Discernment and Application

The journey towards becoming a permanent deacon begins with a period of discernment. Candidates, often inspired by a deep sense of faith and a calling to serve, enter into a time of reflection and prayer to discern if the Permanent Diaconate is their true vocation. Once the decision is made, candidates apply to their local diocese, where a thorough evaluation process begins.

• Academic Formation

Candidates accepted into the Permanent Diaconate program undergo a comprehensive academic formation. This typically involves a four to six-year period of theological and pastoral studies, covering subjects such as Scripture, theology, liturgy, and moral theology. The academic formation aims to provide candidates with a solid foundation in Catholic teachings, enabling them to communicate and share their faith with others effectively.

• Human Formation

In addition to academic studies, candidates undergo human formation to develop the interpersonal and emotional skills necessary for effective ministry. This aspect of formation addresses issues such as communication, conflict resolution, and understanding diverse cultural perspectives. Human formation ensures that deacons are equipped not only with theological knowledge but also with the ability to relate to and empathize with the people they will serve.

• Spiritual Formation

At the heart of the Permanent Diaconate journey is spiritual formation. Candidates engage in a deepening of their prayer life, participation in retreats, and spiritual direction to nurture their relationship with God. This spiritual formation is essential for deacons to drive strength and inspiration from their faith as they tackle the challenges of ministry.

• Pastoral Formation

The pastoral dimension of formation focuses on the practical aspects of ministry. Candidates work in various pastoral settings, gaining hands-on experience in serving the community. This may involve working in hospitals, prisons, or social service agencies, providing a well-rounded view of the diverse needs present in the community. Pastoral formation prepares deacons to engage with the real-life situations they will encounter in their ministry.

The journey to becoming a permanent deacon is a transformative and multifaceted process. If you are looking to enrol in a permanent diaconate formation program, you can choose ST. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry. Being one of the Roman Catholic graduate schools, they offer numerous graduate certificate programs, master’s programs, distance learning online education, and many more. The program related to permanent deacons is developed under the National Directory for the Formation, Ministry, and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States, a publication authored and published by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Individuals interested in pursuing a diaconate program can hassle-free enroll in the course online.