Diaconal Formation
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OverviewDiaconal Formation is a process of spiritual, human, intellectual and pastoral growth spanning a period of several years. The principal components of this growth comprise the following dimensions.
Spiritual Dimension –
The fostering in the aspirant to diaconal ministry of the spirituality appropriate to a deacon. Emphasis is placed on conforming the man into the image of Christ the Servant through growth in personal and liturgical prayer. Personal private prayer in the form of a Holy Hour, Eucharistic Adoration, contemplation, Lectio Divina, and the rosary are complemented by liturgical prayer through daily participation in Mass, reception of Holy Communion and the Liturgy of the Hours. All aspirants to diaconal ministry must be under the care of an approved spiritual director.
Human Dimension –
The fostering in the aspirant of those aspects of integral human growth that enable the potential deacon to be a bridge between Christ and the world. Emphasis is placed on helping the man to recognize his personal strengths and gifts, which should be nurtured and enhanced. Attention is also given to helping the man become aware of his own limitations and weaknesses so that he may learn to overcome and transform them. A high priority is placed on strengthening the married candidate’s marriage and fully involving his wife in formation. Unmarried candidates are encouraged to develop a healthy and integral lifestyle of intentional celibacy.
Intellectual Dimension –
The fostering in the aspirant of the intellectual growth necessary to enable him to represent the church as an ordained minister of the Gospel. A full range of formal instruction is given in philosophy, systematic and pastoral theology, Scripture, church history, sacraments and liturgy, homiletics and canon law.
Pastoral Dimension –
The fostering in the aspirant of the ability to function competently as a minister in a range of diocesan and parish pastoral settings. The candidate participates in internships in ministry to the poor, the sick, the homeless, and the incarcerated. The candidate also participates in internships in parish ministry including catechesis, baptism and marriage preparation and service at the altar. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of the deacon at Mass, leading communion services and officiating baptisms, marriages and funeral rites.
Timeline of Formation:
Inquiry Period –
A flexible period in which the potential deacon investigates the call to ministry by meeting with his pastor and deacons he knows to discuss the ministry and his call. He should take time to read as much as he can about the diaconate by reviewing the Vatican and U.S. Formation norms listed below at the bottom of this page and other articles and resources referenced on this website. After meeting with his pastor and obtaining the pastor’s permission, the potential deacon should begin attending the monthly Project Stephen sessions at the Pastoral Center in Austin and other locations around the diocese. Wives are encouraged to attend.
During the application period, Inquiry/Information sessions for potential candidates and their wives will be held in several parishes around the diocese.
Application Period --
The Diocese of Austin initiates diaconal formation classes in 3-year intervals with each class comprising approximately 5 years of formation. The current classes in progress are the class which will be ordained in 2025 and the class to be ordained in 2028. A class planned to be ordained in 2031 will start formation in January 2026. Applications for the class of 2031 will be accepted starting in December 2024 for a decision on admission by the bishop in late 2025.
The requirements for admission and the details of the application process and documentation required are given on the page Basic Requirements for Admission to the Diaconal Formation Program.
Aspirancy –
Following formal admission by the bishop, the first two years of formation are called the Aspirancy Period (also called in Vatican documents the Propaedeutic Period). During Aspirancy the focus of the formation classes and exercises is on introducing the aspirants to the nature of the diaconate and beginning the process of spiritual and human formation through prayer, spiritual direction and reflection on the individual’s gifts and personality traits. Some formal academic training is also presented during the Aspirancy years.
Candidacy –
At the end of the second year of Aspirancy, each aspirant makes a formal request to the bishop to be entered as a candidate for diaconal formation. With the recommendation of the formation staff and the Admissions and Scrutinies Committee, the bishop formally accepts the aspirant as a candidate for the diaconate. The Candidacy period comprises approximately 3 years of rigorous academic, spiritual and pastoral formation for the candidates. After the first year of Candidacy, the candidates are formally instituted by the bishop as lectors. After the second year of Candidacy, the candidates are formally instituted by the bishop as acolytes. Candidacy continues for a third year culminating in a review by the bishop and preparation for ordination. The Candidates will formally petition the bishop in writing for ordination.
Ordination –
Shortly after the completion of the fifth year of formation (the third year of Candidacy) the candidates are ordained by the bishop. The exact timing of the of the ordination is dependent upon both the recommendations of the formation staff and the Admissions and Scrutinies Committee as well as the requirements of the bishop’s calendar. The time between the completion of year five of formation and the actual ordination is dedicated to additional detailed training on the liturgical and pastoral responsibilities of the deacon.
Post-Ordination –
The newly ordained deacons commit to a 5-year period of continuing education overseen by the diocesan director of diaconal ministry. This will include additional training in canon law, the preparation of marriage documentation, annulment advocacy and liturgy.
Vatican and US Formation Norms