The Vocation of the Deacon: An Orientation Deacon William T. Ditewig, Ph.D. Director of Faith Formation, Diaconate and Pastoral Planning Diocese of Monterey

Tonight 6:30 Opening Prayer, followed by Presentation: “The Vocation of the Deacon” 7:00 – 7:15 Q & A on Presentation 7:15 – 7:45 Conversation at each site 7:45 Final Q & A

Who is a Deacon? An ordained member of the clergy, along with bishops and priests An ordained member of the clergy, along with bishops and priests –A VOCATION from God, discerned through the Church –Ordained to act in the person of Christ the Servant and in the name of the Church –No longer a lay person in the eyes of Catholic theology and law

Who is a Deacon? Ordained BY the Bishop for service TO the Bishop throughout the Diocese Ordained BY the Bishop for service TO the Bishop throughout the Diocese –Not simply for a particular parish –Wherever the Bishop determines the need –Don’t expect to go back to “home” parish

What Does a Deacon Do? Like the Bishop (and Priest), a three-fold ministry: Like the Bishop (and Priest), a three-fold ministry: –Word –Sacrament –Charity 24/7/365: Not just when in church! 24/7/365: Not just when in church! JPII: Purpose of diaconate: to place the Church’s ministers in new places JPII: Purpose of diaconate: to place the Church’s ministers in new places

US Bishops National Directory, #39 “By ordination, the deacon, who sacramentalizes the Church’s service, is to exercise the Church’s diakonia. Therefore, ‘the diaconal ministries, distinguished above, are not to be separated; the deacon is ordained for them all, and no one should be ordained who is not prepared to undertake each in some way.” “By ordination, the deacon, who sacramentalizes the Church’s service, is to exercise the Church’s diakonia. Therefore, ‘the diaconal ministries, distinguished above, are not to be separated; the deacon is ordained for them all, and no one should be ordained who is not prepared to undertake each in some way.”

From the Vatican’s Directory: “In every case it is important that deacons fully exercise their ministry: in preaching, in liturgy and in charity to the extent that circumstances permit. They should not be relegated to marginal duties, be made merely to act as substitutes, nor discharge duties normally entrusted to non-ordained members of the faithful” (Directory), 40.

Responding to the Vocation: How? Prayer! Prayer! Discussions with spouse, children, pastor, deacons, friends Discussions with spouse, children, pastor, deacons, friends Prayer! Prayer! Discussions with diocesan office Discussions with diocesan office Prayer! Prayer! Apply for consideration for diaconal formation Apply for consideration for diaconal formation

Formation Roughly FIVE years Roughly FIVE years Process detailed by Holy See, US Bishops, and Bishop Garcia Process detailed by Holy See, US Bishops, and Bishop Garcia Beginning in Fall, 2014 Beginning in Fall, 2014 Completed applications by 15 April Completed applications by 15 April Interviews Interviews Selections in June Selections in June Costs? Costs?

Three “Paths” of One Program Three Paths: Three Paths: –aspirant –candidate –post-ordination Each Path consists of the four dimensions essential to complete formation Each Path consists of the four dimensions essential to complete formation

Dimensions Directory echoes Pastores Dabo Vobis and the Vatican Basic Norms Directory echoes Pastores Dabo Vobis and the Vatican Basic Norms –Human Dimension –Spiritual Dimension –Intellectual Dimension –Pastoral Dimension

Human Dimension Aims to shape the minister to be “a bridge, not an obstacle, for others in their meeting with Christ.” (Basic Norms, 2) Aims to shape the minister to be “a bridge, not an obstacle, for others in their meeting with Christ.” (Basic Norms, 2) ability to relate to others ability to relate to others Pope says this one most basic of all Pope says this one most basic of all

Spiritual Dimension Human dimension “leads to & finds its completion in the spiritual” Human dimension “leads to & finds its completion in the spiritual” “constitutes the heart and unifying center of Christian discipleship” “constitutes the heart and unifying center of Christian discipleship” objective: “to bring to fulfillment the new life received in baptism.” objective: “to bring to fulfillment the new life received in baptism.”

Intellectual Dimension “Substantial nourishment for the human & spiritual dimensions of his life” “Substantial nourishment for the human & spiritual dimensions of his life” knowledge of faith & church must be “complete & serious” knowledge of faith & church must be “complete & serious” High school grad/GED; must be able to handle college/graduate level work High school grad/GED; must be able to handle college/graduate level work

Pastoral Dimension Integrated formation relates personal, spiritual & intellectual dimensions to pastoral practice Integrated formation relates personal, spiritual & intellectual dimensions to pastoral practice

Five years Two Saturdays per month, September through May Two Saturdays per month, September through May –9:00 – 3:00 –“Academic” Day (courses from SCU) –“Formation” Day Annual Formation Retreat (weekend) Annual Formation Retreat (weekend) Summer Pastoral Assignments Summer Pastoral Assignments Formation Team, Scrutinies Board, Deacon Advisory Board, Staff  Bishop Formation Team, Scrutinies Board, Deacon Advisory Board, Staff  Bishop Liturgical Steps: Liturgical Steps: –Candidacy –Lector –Acolyte –Ordination

Final Observation: The Diaconate is NOT a Program!