Diaconate

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Diaconate
- "Deacons remind the Church that what Saint Thérèse discovered is true:
  the Church has a heart inflamed by love. Yes, a humble heart beating with service". -Pope Francis
- What is the Diaconate?
  
  The Diaconate, also called Permanent Diaconate, is an ordained ministry within the Catholic Church conferred by the Bishop through the Sacrament of Holy Orders. It was restored in 1968 by the Bishops in the United States following a reestablishment of the Order by Vatican Council II the previous year. For centuries prior to that time, the Order of Deacon had been reserved to a temporary status on the road to priesthood, also known as the order of presbyter.
- How do I know I'm being Called?
  
  The Call to the diaconate looks different for every man, but these are some common signs that you may be called to the diaconate.
  
  God has placed a desire in your heart to be a deacon. It may be a passing thought, or it might be an idea you can't stop thinking about, but it's there.
  
  You want to grow closer to Christ and His Church.
  
  People tell you that you would make a good deacon.
  
  You want to help others grow closer to Christ.
- What does a deacon do?
  
  Diaconate comes from the Greek word "diakonia," or service. Service to the community is the primary role of the deacon and by bearing his witness he helps the whole community become more aware of the importance of service to our faith.
  
  Secondly, the order of deacon sacramentalizes service. The deacon, as an ordained servant of the community, bears witness to the humble servant aspect of Jesus's life and His ministry in apostolic times.
  
  Put more simply, deacons serve the people of God in a variety of ways! Some of the most common ways deacons serve are:
  
  Assisting the priest at Mass
  
  Reading the Gospel and preaching the
  
  Administering the Sacrament of Baptism
  
  Acting as the official witness at weddings
  
  Presiding over funeral services
  
  Visiting the sick and people unable to attend Mass to bring them Communion and visit with them
  
  Distributing Communion
  
  Taking on charitable and/or administrative duties
  
  In practice, your diaconate will also look different depending on your state in life. If you have young children and are working full time, you will have to balance that with your role as a deacon. If you're retired and your children are grown, you may be serving the Church in more ways.
  
  For more detailed information, please visit the Diocese of Worcester diaconate page.
Steps to the Diaconate
- Hearing God's Call
  
  Vocations always begin with discernment to help identify if this is God's true will for your vocation. This is done through personal prayer, meetings with one of our priests and deacons, and meetings with your spiritual director.
- Discernment
  
  At this stage, you will contact the Diocese of Worcester Office of the Diaconate for more information. You will go through more discernment and learn more about the requirements to join the diaconate. If you are married, your wife and her personal discernment will be important to this process as your marriage is your primary vocation.
- Aspirancy
  
  Aspirancy is the first portion of the diaconate formation process and lasts for 2 years. You will attend weekend seminars for spiritual direction and additional help for the formation process. You will also have some classes on scripture and theology.
- Candidacy
  
  Candidacy is the part of formation that you will enter after your aspirancy period and lasts for 3 years. You will receive additional instruction on theology and begin learning how to assist at the Mass.
- Minor Orders
  
  During your candidacy period, you will be installed to the minor orders of Lector and Acolyte.
- Ordination
  
  Congratulations! After about 5 years of formation, you will be ordained a deacon! You will now be fully able to assist at the Mass and can now administer baptisms and marriages.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the requirements to become a deacon?
  Be fully initiated (Baptized, First Eucharist, and Confirmed) into the Roman Catholic Church.
  
  Practice the faith, including regular reception of the Eucharist.
  
  Live in accord with the laws and teachings of the Church.
  
  Be a United States Citizen.
  
  Be registered and actively involved with a parish in the Diocese of Worcester for at least five years.
  
  Be recommended by his pastor.
  
  Be approved by the Director of the Diaconate.
  
  Have good moral qualities and active prayer life.
  
  If married, be in a marriage recognized as valid by the Church for at least five years.
  
  Understand that deacons are not permitted to marry after ordination.
  
  His wife must agree completely with the decision to enter the program.
  
  Both he and his wife must undergo psychological testing.
  
  Converts of faith will be accepted only after five years have passed from their acceptance into the Church.
  
  Be between the ages of 31 and 60 years at the time of acceptance into the program.
  
  Be free from mental and physical deficiencies that would prevent one from fulfilling ministry effectively.
  
  Be desirous of dedicating himself to a life of service.
  
  Have a college degree or equivalent.
- Do I have to have my wife's permission to become a deacon?
  Yes. Because the Office of the Diaconate takes time away from your duties as a husband, you will not be ordained to the diaconate without your wife's permission. She will be an active part of your formation and discernment process.
- I'm not married. Can I still become a deacon?
  Single and married men can be ordained deacons. If married, his wife must agree completely with the decision to enter the program. Deacons take a vow of celibacy if they are ordained while single or if their wife dies.
  
  However, if you are not married, we encourage you to discern if God might be calling you to the priesthood.