Permanent Diaconate

WHAT DOES A DEACON DO?

The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church speaks of three areas of diaconal service: 

Ministry of Charity: 

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. 

Ministry to the Word: 

The deacon proclaims the Gospel and preaches at liturgical gatherings; teaches in sacramental preparation programs, i.e. baptism, marriage, RCIA. 

Ministry of Liturgy: 

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.

Candidates are to be:

• 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.

Candidates must have:

• 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.

Candidates:

• 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.