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General Overview of Diaconal Formation

The National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States says, “There are three separate but integral paths that constitute a unified diocesan formation program for deacons: aspirant, candidate and post-ordination.”  While each path has a unique focus, they become “one sole organic journey in diaconal formation” (104). In the Diocese of Phoenix a fourth path, the Spirituality Year, was introduced after 2010. In each path, there are four dimensions or specific areas in formation – human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral.

Direct formation for ordination to the diaconate normally takes five years. The pre-requisite for entering formation is normally the two-year Kino Catechetical Institute combined Adult Faith Formation and Parish Leadership program. It is preferred that a man sensing a call to the diaconate (an Inquirer) complete the KINO program prior to applying for diaconate formation. If a man has only completed the first year of this catechetical program, he must his Pastor’s permission to start formation and then finish Kino during the Spirituality Year.

New formation cohorts are developed in the odd-numbered years and ordination occurs in the even- numbered years.  During the winter of the odd years a series of meetings are held around the diocese to give information to interested men and their wives about the requirements, the plan of formation, etc. Those men who meet the requirements and sense a call to discernment are encouraged to contact the diaconate office for a personal interview. Two deacons or a diaconate couple will interview the prospective inquirers in their home and if no major impediments are found, will give the man an application. These are due by July 31.

The first two years of formation (Spirituality Year and Aspirancy) are focused on spiritual growth and discernment of call.  The next three years of Candidacy focus on development of the knowledge and skills necessary for ordination.  After ordination, formation continues for an additional three years. Oversight for post-ordination formation is with the Post-Ordination Formation Committee.

The focus during the Spirituality Year is year is on the Sacrament of Matrimony and the individual relationship with Christ for both husband and wife (if married). There is a series of 7 one-day classes (Days of Reflection) and two retreats for this year. The Days of Reflection focus on prayer, Lectio Divina, the spirituality of diaconal chastity/celibacy, Scripture, etc. The men are required to begin praying the Liturgy of the Hours as this year begins with the goal of the daily habit of Lauds and Vespers by the end of the year. Wives are strongly encouraged but not required to pray with them.

During the second propaedeutic year, Aspirancy, the necessary objective evaluations are completed – psych evaluations (both husbands and wives), marriage evaluations, criminal and financial background checks, etc. The focus of Aspirancy is the Social Teaching/Ministry of the Church with some basic philosophy to undergird it. Pastors and Deacon Mentors are asked to submit their own evaluations of each man. A face-to-face meeting is held in the Spring between the Pastor, Dcn. Mentor, Associate Director and the Aspirant couple. At the end of Aspirancy the couples are interviewed by a Scrutiny Committee and then some men are submitted to the Bishop for calling to Candidacy. By the time they are called to Candidacy, the formation team has a good sense of the character, spiritual development, intellectual capabilities, and family relationships of the men called forward.

Beginning with the Aspirancy year the formation program consists of 1 weekend (Friday & Saturday) class per month, 1 5-week evening class per semester, a Discernment Circle meeting every 4-6 weeks, mandatory Spiritual Direction, a focused practicum experience and a yearly retreat. This general outline continues through the 3 years of Candidacy.

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. Candidacy is the first official recognition by Holy Mother Church that this man may very well have a vocation to Holy Orders. 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.

Each year throughout Candidacy, the Pastor will be asked to evaluate his Candidate(s). A Scrutiny Committee will evaluate each man’s progress in the 4 pillars of formation and make a recommendation to Bishop about advancing, delaying or removing them from formation.  A face-to-face meeting is held in the Spring between the Pastor, Dcn. Mentor, Associate Director and the formation couple. The practicum focus during the first year of Candidacy is on parish ministry and the Ministry of the Word. During the second year the focus is on the pastoral care of sick, and in the third year is a concentration on liturgy and homiletics.

Formation of Deacons in the Diocese of Phoenix entails a collaborative effort among the various offices and ministries of the Diocese.  Though formation is largely facilitated by the Office of the Diaconate, the Kino Catechetical Institute provides the two years of pre-requisite catechetical formation and Catholic Charities assists with the coordination of the social ministry aspects. The Office of Marriage and Respect Life facilitates the God’s Plan for a Joy-filled Marriage class that each Candidates must attend and the Office of Worship assists with liturgical formation.

A large part of the formation curriculum is self-directed.  This aspect includes several practica that take place in the field under the supervision of pastors, chaplains, ministry leaders, etc. and “Discernment Circles.”  All work, courses, and self-directed activities are reviewed by the Admission and Scrutiny Committee.

Bishop Olmsted has approved the complete 5-year curriculum that is available for pastors to review if desired. This provides an overview of the various courses, events, and activities involved with the formation of Permanent Deacons in the Diocese of Phoenix from initial inquiry through ordination.  It includes a listing of the courses facilitated by the Office of the Diaconate and self-directed formation activities. It does not include the courses offered through the Kino Catechetical Institute.

The 5-year formation program consists of:

• 7 Saturday retreat/classes (49 hours)
• 36 Weekend classes (360 hours)
• 8 5-week Evening classes (90 hours)
• 8 Practica of various lengths (310 hours)
• 5 3-day Retreats (220 hours)
• 1 Canonical 5-day pre-ordination Retreat (78 hours)