(613)548-4461 x 116
diaconatedir@archkingston.ca
(613)548-4461 x 116
diaconateform@archkingston.ca
diaconatecurr@archkingston.ca
The renewal of the permanent diaconate is one of the greatest legacies of the Second Vatican Council.
The service of deacons in the Church is documented from apostolic times. A strong tradition, attested by St. Irenaeus, sees the origin of the diaconate in the institution of the “seven” mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (6:1-6). Thus, at the initial grade of sacred hierarchy are deacons, whose ministry has always been greatly esteemed in the Church.
St. Paul refers to the deacons and bishops in his letters to the Philippians (Phil 1:1) and also to Timothy (1 Tim 3:8-13). He lists the qualities and virtues they should possess. He underlines that the ministry of deacons is nothing other than the ministry of service of Jesus Christ.Up to the fifth century, the diaconate flourished in the Church. But after this period, it experienced, for various reasons, a slow decline, which ended in its surviving only as an intermediate stage for candidates preparing for the priesthood.
The restoration of the diaconate came about during the Second Vatican Council. “At the lower level of the hierarchy are deacons, upon whom hands are imposed ‘not unto the priesthood, but unto a ministry of service.’” (Lumen Gentium 29).
The deacon is a member of the clergy and, like the priest, shares in the ministry of the bishop. Historically, the deacon and bishop worked closely together in meeting the spiritual and temporal needs of others. The diaconate is a distinct order that imitates Christ in service to church and society. The diaconate as a permanent ministry was restored by Pope Paul VI, on June 18, 1967, upon the recommendation of the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council. In 1969 the Bishops of Canada initiated the ministry in this country. In 1993 the Archdiocese of Kingston ordained its first permanent deacons.
When Pope Paul VI implemented this decree in his Apostolic letter “motu propio” (on his own initiative), Sacrum Diaconatus Ordinem, he re-established the permanent diaconate in the Latin Church: He wrote the permanent diaconate is “not to be considered as a step towards the priesthood, but by its own character, as indelible, with its particular grace, to enrich all those who are called to it, and could dedicate their time to the ‘mysteries of Christ and His Church,’ in a stable manner.”
Therefore, a deacon is a man, single or married, that is called to be the Sacramental Presence of Christ who serves and, by virtue of the imposition of hands and the Prayer of Consecration, is configured in Christ through the Holy Spirit, with a gift and a permanent promise to participate in a special way in the mission and the grace of Christ, who came “to serve and not to be served.” Christ, throughout the life and service of a deacon, continues to serve His own, touching their lives and responding to their needs as He did during His ministry on earth.
This diakonía, or service, is exercised in the Church in three different ways. Deacons are called to live a threefold ministry of service. This service can be summarized in the following way:
The deacon is called to be a man of deep prayer, becoming familiar with and a living witness to the Word of God in his ministry, among his family and in the workplace. He is to love, preach and teach the Sacred Scriptures from the pulpit and in his daily life.
Every deacon is called to serve the Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood by his proper participation at the Liturgy, his love and reverence of the Blessed Sacrament and his willingness to bring the Eucharist to those who are sick and unable to join the community of faith in Sunday worship. Each deacon must also cultivate a profound love and reverence for the sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood. Such a eucharistic spirituality is essential in the ministries described above.
Deacons serve as Christ’s heralds of hope and love to the poor, disabled, needy, lonely, forgotten and society’s outcasts. Through their living witness and service, they promote works of mercy, justice, reconciliation and peace. In this most important aspect of diaconal service, each deacon must strive to challenge fellow believers to address the social needs of the poor (i.e., materially and spiritually poor) and seek to meet them.
The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church speaks of three areas of diaconal service:
The deacon is ordained to be a witness to the Gospel through a life of service. A deacon serves through his person-to-person encounters: he ministers to the poor, the aged, the sick, prisoners. The deacon works with youth and young adults in various parish and/or community programs.
The deacon proclaims the Gospel and preaches at liturgical gatherings; teaches in sacramental preparation programs, i.e. baptism, marriage, RCIA.
The deacon assists at the Eucharistic Celebration, administers baptism, witnesses marriages, officiates at wakes and funerals, administers some sacramentals, presides at prayer services, i.e. communion services and benediction.
Men seeking application into the Diaconate Program come with an understanding that the diaconte is a call to a life of service.
The deacon emerges out of the universal diakonia to stand in the midst of the community as one who makes present in his person and deeds the servant character of Christ and the Church. Through sacramental ordination the deacon becomes a public sign to the world that the Church is authentically servant. The deacon is the animator and promoter of the common service of the Church.
baptized Catholics for at least two years;
35 years of age at the time of ordination if married; married for at least two years;
25 years of age at the time of ordination if single;
well accepted in the parish community;
in good health, physically, mentally and emotionally;
economically stable and self-sufficient.
letters of recommendation from their parish priest and another priest;
demonstrated evidence of a stable marriage;
at least two years post-secondary education or the equivalent;
spousal approval and support of their intention to enter the diaconate formation program;
participated in a ministry of service within the parish community for at least 2 years;
sufficient time for diaconate formation and ministry;
the capacity for growth and continued education;
an eagerness for prayer and acceptance of spiritual formation;
an openness to the awareness of contemporary theology and developments in ministry, and possess the capacity for training in ministry.
are limited to men;
must be capable of making a permanent commitment of time and talent;
must observe celibacy if single and, if married, after the death of their spouse;
must submit certificates of baptism, confirmation and marriage, if applicable;
must reside in the Archdiocese of Kingston.
An invitation to men of the Archdiocese to consider the diaconal vocation of Sacred Orders is extended to those who have a deep personal faith commitment, are involved in a ministry of service and have some sense of being called to this particular vocation.
It is expected that potential candidates will discuss their interest in the diaconal formation process with their parish priest as the first stage of the invitation to the permanent diaconate.
Following this, contact with the Office of the Permanent Diaconate may be made and appointments arranged to discuss further the subject of vocation and formation.
The diocesan diaconal program of Spiritual, Academic, Liturgical and Pastoral Formation takes place in Kingston, one weekend each month over at least a five year period. After the first year, the weekends are supported by weekly study sessions under the guidance of an appointed mentor.
The first year is a period of discernment wherein the applicant and the formation team have the opportunity to discover through prayerful consideration whether the aspirant is suited for diaconal ministry.
The three-year period of formation which follows is a more formal process in which the candidate continues to participate in both spiritual and academic formation as well as ministerial preparation. During these three academic years the weekend program is supported by weekly study sessions under the guidance of an appointed mentor. In addition to this formal intellectual and spiritual formation, candidates are expected to continue their reading, discernment and service in areas of social concern over the summer months.
At the end of the fourth year, upon fulfillment of all program requirements, recommendation of the Formation Committee and the Director of the Formation Program, and with the Archbishop’s approval, the candidates are ordained to the Order of Deacon.
The formation program does not lead to an academic degree. Ordination by the Bishop certifies that an individual is called by God for the ministry of service and worship.
There is no simple answer to this question. However, we believe that God=s will can be discovered by the person of faith through personal prayer, competent spiritual direction and recognition that the Church has the obligation to discern if such a vocation is truly present. Certain personal, social and spiritual qualities are required for ordained ministry. These are generally of two kinds: those that pattern the candidate in the likeness of Christ, and those required to meet the special needs of the local Church at a particular time and place. Anyone contemplating a vocation to the permanent diaconate should be actively involved in ministry in his local community and/or parish. A candidate's desire to be a deacon is never sufficient in itself. He must, in addition, wait on the prayerful, enlightened decision of the Church.
Since in most cases the diaconal vocation exists within the context of a family, the wives of candidates are expected to share this experience by participating in the formation process. Although this involvement does not lead to ordination, their commitment to the formation program and their work with their husbands or in their own ministries results in their becoming an integral part of the Diaconate Community.
The Acts of the Apostles speak to us about deacons in action B providing material assistance and service; preaching and baptizing.
Rooted in the belief that all Christians are called to ministry through baptism, the diaconate is a confirmation of the diaconal gifts for the ministry of service that characterizes the role of the deacon. As identified and expressed in New Testament writing, the diaconate is an ordained ministry of service under the direction of the bishop.
After ordination the deacon is assigned by the Bishop and enters into a formal agreement with the community he as been assigned to serve.
For those unable to attend the Virtual OCADL Conference, below are video recordings of the two main presenters, followed by questions from those who were in attendance.