How to become a Permanent Deacon in the Diocese of Raleigh

Bishop Luis has given the authorization to start the Formation for a new cohort of men discerning the vocation to Holy Orders as Permanent Deacons.

The diocese will host a Day of Orientation at the Catholic Center in Room 1A on Saturday, September 13th. 

The First session will be from 10 am - 12 pm
The second session will be from 2-4 pm

The Formation program entails six years; the first year is the discerning year, for the applicant and for the Church, followed by five years of academic, spiritual, and pastoral formation.

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 that 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.

Requirements for Applicants

• 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 a Catholic at least 5 years if you were brought into the faith through the RCIA process.

• Be in a stable marriage for at least 5 years.

• Have at least a high school education (college degree is preferred) and have the ability to learn in a structured academic environment.

• Be a resident of the Diocese of Raleigh for at least 5 years.

• Complete the Safe Environment training and background check.

• Be at least 35 years of age entering the program and not older than 60.

• Be in overall good physical and mental health.

• Has proven stability in his secular employment and family life.

• Have a secure and clear identity and a healthy self-image.

• Already be working in a service ministry in his parish, preferably in some leadership capacity. This is in addition to any liturgical ministry in which he may be involved.

• Be recognized as a leader, a person of prayer, compassion and service by his pastor and have his support.

• If married, he has the enthusiastic support of his wife and family to pursue ordination to the diaconate.

• Families with children under 12 years of age should consider the impact that the formation program may have on child care.