Is God Calling You?

DEACON

The Permanent Diaconate
Archdiocese of Kingston

The diaconate was established at the time of the apostles and lived in the early

Church as an ordained ministry at the service of the people of God under the direction of the Bishop.

In response to current needs and trends, the Second Vatican Council recognized and re-asserted the integral nature and importance of the deacon’s role in the modern Church. Following the suggestions of the Council, the Bishops of Canada reactivated the Permanent Diaconate in 1969. After much study and consideration,

the Archdiocese of Kingston inaugurated the Permanent Diaconate in 1991.

What is a Permanent Deacon?

As identified and expressed in New Testament writing, the diaconate is an ordained ministry of service. This sacred office emerges from the universal call of 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.

After ordination the deacon is assigned by the bishop and enters into a formal agreement with the community he has been assigned to serve.

What Does a Permanent Deacon Do?

The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church speaks of three areas of diaconal service: Ministry of Charity, Ministry of the Word, and Ministry of Liturgy.

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 of the Word: The Deacon proclaims the Gospel and preaches at liturgical gatherings; teaches in sacramental preparation programs (e.g., 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 (e.g., communion services and benediction).

How Will I Know if I am Called to be a Permanent Deacon?

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. 

How are candidates for the Permanent Diaconate Prepared to serve?

The diocesan diaconal formation takes place in Kingston, one weekend each month over a four-year period followed by a post-ordination year where the newly ordained deacons meet bimonthly.

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. 

Wife of the Deacon

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 Invitation

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 diaconal formation with their parish priest prior to making a formal application. They are also encouraged to contact diocesan deacons for additional information and to answer questions that they may have.

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.

Criteria for Entry into Permanent Diaconate Formation

Candidates are to be:

• Catholic males who have been baptized for at least two years;

• 25 years of age at the time of ordination, if single;

• 35 years of age at the time of ordination, if married; married for at least two years;

• Celibate, after the death of a spouse;

• no more than 61 years of age at the beginning of formation;

• well accepted in the parish community;

• in good health, physically, mentally and emotionally;

• economically stable and self-sufficient;

• residents of the Archdiocese of Kingston.

Candidates must :

• submit certificates of baptism, confirmation and marriage, if applicable;

• provide letters of recommendation from their parish priest and another priest;

• have at least two years post-secondary education or the equivalent;

• have participated in a ministry of service within the parish community for at least 2 years;

• have spousal approval and support of their intention to enter diaconate formation.

• Candidates must have sufficient time for diaconal 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.

Acceptance into Diaconate Formation does not constitute a decision that an individual is called to the order of deacon, nor does completion of the various formation courses and program activities guarantee ordination. Admission simply constitutes one more period of discernment where the candidate through prayer, reflection, sharing, spiritual direction and consultation will consider whether he has a call to the Permanent Diaconate.

It is important to always remain cognizant of the statement about the Sacrament of Holy Orders contained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

“No one has a right to receive the sacrament of Holy Orders. Indeed no one claims this office for himself; he is called to it by God. Anyone who thinks he recognizes the signs of God's call to the ordained ministry must humbly submit his desire to the authority of the Church, who has the responsibility and right to call someone to receive orders. Like every grace this sacrament can be received only as an unmerited gift.” (CCC 1578.)