DIOCESE OF JOLIET
DIACONATE
FORMATION
PROGRAM

“The Son of Man came not to be served,
but to serve.” - - Mt 20:28

THE ORDER OF DEACON IN THE
CATHOLIC CHURCH

The service of deacons in the Church is documented from apostolic times and flourished well into the 5th century. For a variety of reasons, the diaconate then began to be conferred only on those preparing for the priesthood. The renewal of the diaconate as a permanent order in its own right was called for both by the Council of Trent and by the Second Vatican Council and implemented by Pope Paul VI in 1967.

By reason of their ordination by the Bishop, deacons are to serve as a sign or sacrament of Jesus himself, the one who “came not to be served, but to serve.” They are to be icons, living signs, of Christ the Servant. Pope John Paul II has spoken of the service of deacons as “the Church’s service sacramentalized.”

A deacon is ordained to a threefold, integrated ministry of service of the Liturgy, Word and Charity/Justice.

• The deacon’s service of the liturgy at Mass, besides proclaiming the Gospel and articulating the Church’s needs in the general intercessions, includes preparing the gifts, distributing Holy Communion and, with the approval of the Bishop and his pastor, preaching the homily. The deacon may solemnly baptize, witness marriages in the name of the Church, bring Viaticum to the dying, and preside over wakes, funerals and burial services. He may preside over liturgies of the Word, the Liturgy of the Hours and exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. He may also conduct other prayer services and administer certain of the Church’s sacramentals.

• The service of the Word includes: offering catechetical instruction, counseling, instructing catechumens, leading retreats, and Scripture study, conducting parish renewal programs and reaching out to alienated Catholics.

• The deacon is a pre-eminent minister of charity and justice. The service of charity/justice is as extensive as are human needs. The deacon ministers in prisons and in hospitals. He visits the homebound, serves the mentally ill, chemically dependent, the abused and battered, the old and the young, the abandoned, the dying and the bereaved. Since in modern society it is no longer sufficient merely to help someone in need, a deacon should also be involved in social justice and advocacy efforts for a just society.

Currently, there are over 17,000 permanent deacons in the United States and 32,000 worldwide. The first permanent deacons in the Diocese of Joliet were ordained in 1974. Presently, 231 deacons serve our diocese in parishes, hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, and wherever the needs of people call for their ministry.

THE DIACONATE FORMATION PROGRAM

IN THE DIOCESE OF JOLIET

The Diaconate Formation program is comprised of two unified paths: a one year Aspirancy period and a 3 1/2 year Candidacy path. Formation sessions throughout the 4 1/2 year formation program are held at the Blanchette Center in Crest Hill on Monday and Thursday evenings from 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. and periodically on Sunday afternoons. The Spring term begins in late January and concludes prior to Memorial Day and the Fall term begins in mid-August and ends prior to Christmas.

The Aspirancy Path is one year in length and should be viewed as a trial period to determine whether an aspirant is prepared to continue on to the Candidacy Path. Wives of married men are required to attend the periodic three-hour formation sessions held on Sunday afternoons throughout the year and a weekend retreat. Wives are also encouraged to attend other formation sessions as well. Aspirants are also required to participate in individual spiritual direction. At the conclusion of the Aspirancy period, the Diaconate Committee on Admissions and Scrutinies will assess the aspirant’s suitability and readiness to advance to the Candidacy Path.

The Candidacy Path follows successful completion of Aspirancy and is 3 1/2 years in length. Successful completion of Aspirancy is determined through a formal assessment conducted by the Committee on Admissions and Scrutinies which will consider the aspirant’s competence and progress in the four dimensions of diaconate formation (intellectual, spiritual, human and pastoral) together with other assessments which have been completed during Aspirancy. Petitioners for admission to Candidacy will be interviewed to appraise readiness for nomination to the Candidacy Path. Wives of married men will also be interviewed to determine their level of support for their husband’s petition. The Bishop will select those to be admitted to Candidacy.

As was the case in Aspirancy, participation in periodic three-hour formation sessions on Sunday afternoons and attendance at a weekend retreat is required of candidates and wives. Candidates are also required to participate in individual spiritual direction. An annual evaluation of candidates will determine whether continuation in the Diaconate Formation program is appropriate.

Prerequisites for Admission to Aspirancy

• At least 31 years of age, but not more than 62 years of age by August 1st of the year of admission.
• A high school diploma or its equivalent.
• Fully initiated Catholic and a practicing member of a parish within the Diocese of Joliet for at least four years.
• At least three years of significant involvement in some aspect of lay ministry and/or in charitable or social justice/peace activities.
• If married, be in a valid Catholic marriage and have the consent of his wife. If unmarried, be living a celibate lifestyle.
• Demonstrated stability in life situations: marriage, family, employment, residence, physical and emotional health.
• A letter of support from his pastor.
• Three letters of recommendation, one of which must be from either a parish council member or a parish leader.

How to Apply

• Request application materials from the Office for the Diaconate
• Meet (wife also, if married) with pastor. Ask references if they are willing to complete and submit the reference form sent directly to them from the Office for the Diaconate .
• Request pastor to submit your application and, if married, the Wife’s Questionnaire.
• Submit sacramental records issued within the last six months.
• Submit a physician’s statement certifying that you are physically able to participate in the formation program and post ordination diaconal ministry.
• Submit a Certificate of Completion of the “Protecting God’s Children” program.
• Participate in the Deacon Perceiver Assessment administered by the Office for the Diaconate.
• *Participate in a psychological assessment.
• *Participate in interviews with the Director, Associate Director and Committee on Admissions and Scrutinies.
• Submit to an FBI criminal background and fingerprinting check. 
  
• * Applies also to wives of married applicants.
  

Fees

The applicant is responsible for the cost of obtaining the physician’s statement, purchasing textbooks and other course materials, and providing fees/donations to the individual spiritual director

 Should you have any questions, please call (815) 834-4090, or email us at diaconate@dioceseofjoliet.org  and we will be happy to try and answer any questions you may have.

For Additional Information  

Diocese of Joliet
Office for the Diaconate
St. Charles Pastoral Center
101 W. Airport Road
Romeoville, IL 60446-6527
(815) 834-4090
diaconate@dioceseofjoliet.org