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Stages in the Diaconate Formation Process

Pre-requisites: A solid catechetical foundation is an integral part of diaconal formation. Completion of the combined Adult Faith Formation/Parish Leadership program offered by the Kino Catechetical Institute of the Diocese of Phoenix is required prior to entering the formation program. Applicants can be accepted after completing the first year of the Kino program if they have strong pastoral support. A pastor will need to indicate in his letter of support that he feels his applicant is capable of finishing Kino while in the Spirituality Year of formation.

Levels of Admission: Diaconal formation involves four stages.

  • Inquirer: Recommended by Pastor — no obligation or commitment
  • Applicant: Submitted an application — commitment to prayer, reading and discernment while application is reviewed
  • Aspirant: Application accepted as complete — psychological, background, and marriage evaluations
  • Candidate: Formal Diaconal formation with advanced theological studies

Inquirer: Is an individual who has met with, written to, telephoned or otherwise communicated with an official of the Office of the Diaconate indicating a serious interest in exploring admission to the diaconate; and/or an individual nominated by his pastor. Individuals are verbally quick screened for such eligibility factors as age, marital status, residence, and ministry experience.  If appropriate, the individual is provided with an information packet and put on the mailing list.  The Office of the Diaconate maintains a record of the inquiry or nomination for 180 days.  The general criteria for admission are described in the next section. In the six-month period prior to the formation of a new cohort, inquirers who have received a recommendation from their pastor will be interviewed (with their family) and receive assistance in completing the application.  Formation meetings begin in the fall (of odd-numbered years).

The inquirer who seeks consideration for ordination to the diaconate needs to enter into dialogue with his parish community.  It is the pastor who initially presents him for consideration into diaconal formation through a letter that confirms he is a practicing Catholic of good repute and in good standing.

Applicant: Is an individual who has completed and filed the forms for admission to the diaconate and has been notified in writing that the admission packet has been received.  Applications are generally accepted only during the months of March through July, every odd year, unless a special arrangement has been made with the Diaconate Office.  If an application is received after the July 31 deadline it cannot be considered.  Applications are screened, and the admission’s packet audited by the staff in the order in which they are received.  The notification of acceptance as an official applicant comes from the Formation Office.

Applicants enter into a year of prayer, spiritual reflection and discernment known as the Spirituality Year. They will engage in directed spiritual reading and reflection. They must also participate in mandatory formation events, complete the Practicum on Personal Prayer and Discernment and join a “Discernment Circle.”  Applicant status is normally a one year period. Applicants are required to limit their involvement in parish ministries during this year in order to focus more specifically on prayer and spiritual growth.

Aspirant: Admission as an Aspirant means that the petitioner has been admitted to the (typically) year-long propaedeutic period (preparation for study or instruction).  It is marked by participation in the formation meetings, practicum in outreach and justice and in a “discernment circle,” and completion of a battery of tests and interviews. Spiritual reading, reflection, prayer and discernment will continue. Admission to Aspirancy requires the following criteria:

  • Application has been audited and found complete
  • Staff Screening for disqualifiers and impediments
  • Completion of the pre-requisite Kino program
  • Letter of petition from the individual to the Bishop has been received
  • Letter of approval from his wife has been received if he is married
  • Letters of recommendation have been received
  • Transcripts from high school and college have been received
  • Participation in required formation meetings
  • Involvement in a Discernment Circle
  • Testing and Examinations completed including but not necessarily limited to the following:
    • Medical Examination
    • Dental Examination
    • Educational Examinations as appropriate
  • An interview with either the Associate Director of Education and Formation, the Director, or delegate has been completed
  • The Associate Director of Education and Formation presents an overview of each applicant to the Admission and Scrutiny Committee. This body makes a recommendation to the Director of the Office of the Diaconate regarding the disposition of each applicant
  • The Director of the Office of the Diaconate reviews the recommendation and the application to determine whether to forward it to the Bishop
  • The Bishop reviews the applicant’s file and decides whether to invite the individual to continue the discernment process as an Aspirant

Candidate.  Admission as a Candidate means that the Aspirant has been invited by the Bishop to enter a time of formal preparation for ordination that requires 3 years or more.

During this period the Candidate will receive advanced theological education and practical diaconal formation. After the first year as he progresses in discernment and formation, he will be installed into the Ministry of Lector and then approximately a year later to the Ministry of Acolyte.