The deacon is called personally and ecclesially to serve after the manner of Jesus. He is, first and foremost, a Christian man in his usual employment and lifestyle, trained and formed by additional study and prayer for a special ministry to the community as an ordained minister. Consideration is given to the following as to a man's suitability for the Diaconate Formation Program:
Application materials and information can be obtained by contacting the Office of the Permanent Diaconate. Applications are due by January 31 for consideration to the program, beginning in September of a given year. The application process is lengthy, so we recommend starting the process well before the due date.
The formation program is four years in length. Classes are held in a hybrid format via ZOOM using the Learning Management System CANVAS and meeting one week a month at the Pastoral Center in Braintree.
The first year of formation is focused on discerning the vocational call to the Diaconate. This year, referred to as the Year of Aspirancy, includes presentations on the ministry of the Diaconate, scripture classes, retreats, and spiritual formation. Classes take place Monday and Wednesday evenings from September through April, and wives are expected to attend all sessions during this first year. Men participating in the program also attend Spiritual Formation days one Saturday every month at the Pastoral Center in Braintree, MA. There are additional programs for wives throughout the first year, which are communicated in advance.
Years two – four are focused on academic courses and pastoral training and have a similar class schedule as the first year. Wives are welcome to these classes, but are not required to attend. They will have two sessions in the spring and two in the fall prepared for them. The program includes pastoral field experiences for all male candidates, including an intensive summer internship at the end of the third year. Candidates are evaluated each year and invited to discern their readiness to continue in the formation program, eventually being ordained a deacon. Wives are invited to be part of this evaluation.
Because our Church is global and because of our multicultural communities in the Archdiocese, we invite men from different cultural backgrounds to consider and discern becoming Permanent Deacons. In general, we offer our academic classes in English. If there are several native Spanish speakers in formation, some classes or workshops could be offered in Spanish.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact:
Deacon Christopher Connelly
Director for the Permanent Diaconate
617-746-5649