The Archdiocese of Detroit
As disciples of Christ and members of the Church, a deacon's ministry evolves in response to specific needs and is based on his God-given talent. There are three dimensions of diaconal service: Ministry of Love and Justice, Ministry of the Word of God, and the Ministry within the Liturgy.So deacons prepare the faithful to receive the sacraments and to carry out their vocations as baptized Christians. With proper authorization, they are able to preach, teach, counsel and give spiritual guidance. They assist bishops and priests in liturgical celebrations. They care for the abused, infirm, young and old, the other-abled, bereaved, divorced, dying, imprisoned and victims of oppression. Many deacons organize groups to work for peace and social justice, speak for the voiceless and make Christians aware of their wider responsibilities. They baptize, witness marriages and preside at funerals. Whatever they do, deacons are acting on behalf of the servant Christ.
Although some deacons are single, the vast majority of deacons are married and share their dedication to ministry along with their wives. Although deacons serve the diocese in many diverse ways, their service originates in the home through spousal and parental relationships. A deacon is a servant all the time, and his family always comes first. Ministry is understood in a holistic manner; service can never be compartmentalized. Service rendered in the context of the family may well be the most needed ministry, especially in the culture we live in. Diaconal families are enriched and challenged by ministry. In that way, diaconal families are on the "cutting-edge" of where the Church is moving today, rediscovering the importance of ministry within and flowing from the home, the domestic Church.
The Code of Canon Law preserves the traditional discipline of the church, whereby a married deacon who had been widowed may not enter a new marriage. Unmarried men, upon ordination, make a lifetime commitment to celibacy. (Permanent Deacons in the US: Guidelines, 1984 revision, #100, 113.)
Deacons are "team players", not "lone rangers". Mutual support is nurtured through formal and informal gatherings of deacons and their families. Diaconal families become resources to one another and encourage one another in our call to greatness through service.
Deacons are numbered among the saints celebrated by the Church throughout the liturgical year. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was one of the original seven deacons in the Acts of the Apostles. Lawrence, among the great saints in the early church on the list of martyrs venerated at Rome, was untiring in his efforts to serve the greatest treasure of the Church of Rome, its poor. He was also known for his humor as he faced a martyr's death.
A person can offer himself as a candidate for the permanent diaconate, but he must be called by the Church and its leadership before he can be ordained. The call to diaconal service is identified and affirmed over a period of years. In terms of qualifications, we seek men who are mature Catholics who have demonstrated faith, service and leadership in their local Church communities (1 Timothy 3:8-13). They must share the contemporary Church's view of its mission and seek to grow in understanding as well as holiness. Single or married men over 35 may be ordained. The wife of a married man is involved in the discernment process, since a fully committed marriage underlies the ministry of married deacons. Applicants must enjoy the health, time and academic ability needed for the years of preparation. After ordination, they must be able to make specific commitments of time and talent to the Church without compromising their family, marital or job responsibilities.
Preparation for diaconate is much more than training. The Church calls the preparation process "formation", a term borrowed from the realm of art, suggesting that the natural talents of the candidate are fashioned and shaped by the Church into a minister who is "ready and willing" to be graced by the sacrament. In the Archdiocese of Detroit, those interested in the diaconate first complete a core curriculum in basic pastoral ministries, and then are considered for diaconal formation. Diaconal formation is tailored to the needs and the abilities of the candidates, and includes excellent theological classes at Sacred Heart Major Seminary. Retreats and spiritual direction are an integral part of the development and discernment of the deacon's vocation. Pastoral skills are developed and refined through seminars, workshops and an internship. The formation process takes a number of years, and is kept up-to-date through ongoing formation throughout the deacon's ministry?
For more information about the Permanent Diaconate, please contact: Office of Pastoral Ministers, Archdiocese of Detroit, 305 Michigan Ave. - 10th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226; (313) 237-5778.
Information gatherings are being held for prospective candidates and those interested in further information about the Diaconate.
Those who are interested together with their wives are invited to atend. In order to arrainge for the number of people coming, those planning to attend are asked to call the Archdiocesan Office of Pastoral Ministries at (313) 237-5778 and furnish thier names. Following the gathering, prospective applicants and their spouses will be asked to prayerfully consider their interest in applying for Diaconate formation. It will only be after this process of prayerful discernemnt that applicantion can be requested.