Diaconate Program

by Greg Ouska

Following application, psychological and ministerial aptitude tests, interviews and consent of his wife (if married), a man called to diaconal ministry is prepared for ordination during a four year program of classes, practical field ministry, and spiritual formation. Classes are held Monday and Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 9:30 at St. Charles Borromeo Pastoral Center in Romeoville. Each year consists of two semesters, fourteen weeks in length.

Classes include: Old and New Testament Scripture study, Christology, Church History, Moral Theology, Fundamental Theology, Sacramental Theology, Catholic Social Teaching, Pastoral Skills, Spirituality of Marriage and Family Life, Liturgical Celebrations, Canon Law, and Homiletics. Group and individual spiritual direction, retreats, and other spiritual formation activities round out the program.

Wives of candidates are encouraged to attend classes and other activities and participate as fully as they would like.

Ministry of the deacon (the word means servant in Greek) is three-fold:

  • Ministry of Liturgy: assist at Mass, administer baptism, witness marriages, and officiate at wakes and funerals;
  • Ministry of Word: proclaim the gospel, preach the homily, and teach religious education;
  • Ministry of Charity: the primary work of the deacon is to be personally involved in satisfying the real needs of people, such as hospital, student, nursing home, or prison ministries.

If there is someone you believe would be a good deacon, I would encourage you to suggest that they think and pray about it. Most of my classmates and I only began to discern a call to diaconate after more than one person suggested we consider it.

From the beginning of our training, we were asked to pray for the people of our parishes, since you are the ones we serve in our ministries. I took that to heart and hold each one of you in my prayers. I would ask each of you to remember me and our whole parish family in your prayers.