4 - Year Formation Program
The service of deacons in the Church is documented from apostolic times. The first deacons are described in the Acts of the Apostles and referred to in the writings of St. Paul. In Acts 6:1-6 seven
men of good reputation among the Christian community are chosen to assist the apostles in the care of the community’s needs. A strong tradition attested already by St. Irenaeus and influencing the
liturgy of ordination, sees the origin of the Diaconate in the institution of the "seven" mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles.
Deacons were relied upon as leaders and enablers of local apostolic communities, as related in several places both in the New Testament and writings of the Fathers of the Church. Deacons assisted
the episcopal ministry of the early Church, acting as the bridge between the bishop and the local community’s needs.
Deacons were examples of loyal faith and dedicated service to the Church, especially St. Stephen, St. Lawrence, and St. Francis of Assisi.
Up to the fifth century the Diaconate flourished in the western church, but after this period, for various reasons, it experienced a slow decline which ended in its surviving only as an intermediate stage
for candidates preparing for priestly ordination. The Council of Trent disposed that the Permanent Diaconate, as it existed in ancient times, should be restored, in accord with its proper nature, to its
original function in the Church. This prescription, however, was not carried into effect.
It would not be until June 18, 1967 when Pope Paul VI implemented the recommendations of the Second Vatican Council and restored the Permanent Diaconate.
The Diaconate, restored as a permanent order of ministry by the Second Vatican Council as part of its renewed vision of the church, brings back to the church the full complement of active apostolic
ministries. In communion with the bishop and priests, the deacon is ordained to function in all three areas of the church's life: in the transmission of the Word; in the celebration of the sacraments and
commitment to prayer; and in the community's love in action through service.
The restoration of the order of Permanent Deacons, seen as vital to the life of the Church by the bishops of Vatican Council II, has been implemented and enhanced by Pope Paul VI, the National
Catholic Conference of Bishops and Pope John Paul II.
The deacon is called to be the presence of Jesus, touching the oppressed and the alienated, as well as being a source of encouragement to all the baptized in answering their call to service. By his
life, the deacon makes visible to the church and to the world the redemptive service fulfilled by Jesus Christ.
The Diaconate Office welcomes applications from men of all communities and backgrounds. In order for the Good News to become incarnate it is necessary for the Church to have ordained
ministers in all of the various communities. The presence and witness of deacons from all communities will more successfully identify community needs and advance the response of Christian
service.
The Diaconate is open to all men of the Catholic community who meet the basic requirements. Where special circumstances exist, e.g. special language or cultural needs, then in so far as possible
and feasible, adjustments will be made to meet those needs. The man interested in becoming a Deacon in the Diocese of Cleveland should:
1. Write to the Director of the Diaconate Office requesting information about the Diaconate and indicate interest in applying to the Program.
2. Complete a formal application (obtained from the Diaconate Office) and submit it to the director accompanied by the requested documentation.
3. Experience a screening process of approximately six months which will determine eligibility for acceptance into the formation program. Interviews are conducted for both the applicant and his wife.
Receive an affirmative acceptance from the Admissions Committee