How to become a deacon?

Requirements for Becoming a Deacon

Formation Program
The program entails four years of academic, spiritual and pastoral formation. Graduate level credits will be given for these academic courses from Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University. Currently, classes are held at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center in Pisctaway, NJ. Qualified candidates will be awarded a Masters Degree in Theology.

While the program provides competence within a specialized Church ministry, the curriculum and methodology are not intended to be a condensed theological course for the priesthood. Applicants are already prepared in other fields with valuable, practical, and often professional skills. The formation program will enrich their capabilities in applying these skills to the Diaconate.

Field education is designed to integrate theory and practice. Supervised field-ministry assignments offer numerous opportunities for learning about service in the diocese and the variety of ministries available.

The program is based on the assumption the candidates are mature adults and will accept responsibility for their own learning. They are required to participate in class and group discussions, and share their faith and ministry experiences openly. They must be able to communicate their knowledge and experiences to others both orally and in writing.

Role of Wives
For the married candidates, wives play a significant role in responding to their husband's call to the Diaconate. While they have no obligation to participate in all of the training sessions, they are required to attend three workshops per year of their own choosing. In addition, they may be asked to attend a day of recollection.

Since the wife's consent is required for her husband to enter the programa and to be ordained, it is essential that she have a complete and thorough understanding of the extent of her spouse's commitment and of her role and sacrifices in supporting his ministry as an ordained deacon.

The Associate Director for Wives and Families, who is the wife of a deacon, serves on the Director's Council and is a responsible liaison for the wives of candidates and deacons. Various programs are planned specifically for the wives.

Requirements for Applicant
The basic requirement is that an applicant has "the heart of a servant." The deacon is called to serve in the manner of Jesus. He is first and foremost a Christian man in his usual employment and lifestyle, trained and formed by additional study and prayer and graced by the Sacrament of Holy Orders for a special ministry to the community. Thus, to be accepted as a candidate in the diaconate formation program in the Diocese of Metuchen, it is required that a man:

Be a Roman Catholic of sound moral character, mature in his faith, with a developed prayer life and a sense of vocation to service.
Be at least 30 years of age entering the program, but not yet 60.
Be in generally good physical and mental health.
Have proven stability in his secular employment and family life.
Families with children under 10 years of age should consider the impact that the formation program may have on child care.
Have a secure and clear identity and a healthy self image.
Already be working in a service ministry in his parish, preferable in some leadership capacity. This is in addition to any liturgical ministry in which he may be involved.

This is in addition to any liturgical ministry in which he may be involved.

Have at least a high school diploma (or its academic equivalent) have the ability to learn in a structured academic environment.
Be recognized as a leader, a person of prayer, compassion and service by people in his parish.
If married, have the enthusiastic support of his wife and family to pursue ordination to the diaconate.
Have the support of a sponsoring pastor or institution who will welcome and assist in his ministry.

Application Procedure
Men interested in becoming candidates for the Diaconate in the Diocese of Metuchen should take the following steps:

Pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance.
Discuss the idea thoroughly with your spouse and family.
Carefully examine their reasons for wanting to be a deacon.
Consider how they think they could be of service as a deacon.
Seek the advice of their pastor.
Contact the Office of the Diaconate at 732-562-1990, ext. 1710.

Selection of Candidates
The selection of candidates will begin with a General Information Meeting held during the Spring or Fall of the current year for all men and their wives who are interested in the Diaconate. At the conclusion of the meeting, those who wish to be considered for candidacy in the formation program must contact the Office of the Diaconate for further information and instruction.

The actual application will be completed after a series of meetings with the aspirant. Once the application is completed, it will be carefully reviewed by the Office of the Diaconate. Should a review of the application and other documents indicate that the applicant cannot be considered for the program, he will be informed at that time.

Applicants considered acceptable as aspirants will be contacted for further processing. If at any point in the selection process the Admission Board feels it is not in the best interest of the Diaconate or the applicant to proceed further, he will be informed.

The selection process is comprehensive and will include pesonal interviews with the applicant and his wife (if married), psychological testing, letters of recommendation, a physical examination, one-on-one director interview, and finally several aspirant workshops. The selection process will be completed by the end of May of the current year. The Admission Board will make a final decision on candidates to be recommended to the Bishop for his approval. Once approved, aspirants will begin their academic training during the Fall of that year.