Aspirant Stage of Diaconal Formation

Aspirant Stage

Upon completion of the inquiry and application processes, the bishop may accept some inquirers into aspirancy. This stage corresponds to the “propaedeutic period” required by the Basic Norms for the Formation of Permanent Deacons of the Congregation for Catholic Education. This stage is primarily a time to discern the capability and readiness of an aspirant to be nominated to the bishop for acceptance as a candidate for holy orders. The goal of aspirant formation is to enable the aspirant to demonstrate the possibility of a diaconal vocation and an appropriate level of readiness for eventual selection into candidate formation.

The aspirant stage of formation is a distinctive program that provides for a thorough discernment of a diaconal vocation. It provides an appropriate initiation into:

Diaconal spirituality
Supervised pastoral experiences, especially among the poor and marginalized.
An adequate assessment of the aspirant’s potential to be promoted to candidate formation, and ultimately ordination.

This stage enables the formation personnel to create an environment in which a wife of a married aspirant can be appropriately prepared to give her consent to his continuation, and more essentially, to ascertain her compatibility with her husband’s diaconal vocation and eventual ministry.

During this period the aspirant will be introduced to:

The study of theology
A deeper knowledge of the spirituality and ministry of the deacon
A more attentive discernment of his call
Regular participation in spiritual direction
Pastoral ministries of the diocesan Church

This period is also a time to form an aspirant community with its own cycle of meetings and prayer and to assist the aspirant’s family in their support of his formation.

Dimensions of Formation

Human Dimension

The goal of a suitable human dimension is to help the aspirant develop his human personality in such a way that it becomes a bridge and not an obstacle for others in their meeting with Jesus Christ. This dimension helps the single aspirant to discern his capacity and receptivity for celibacy. For the married aspirant and his wife is a time to assess the quality of their relationship and consider the ramifications of his possible ordination to the diaconate and their married life.

The aspirant and the wife are invited to realistically assess how her life, Church service, and family are affected and respected. The enrichment and deepening of the reciprocal and sacrificial love between husband and wife constitute the most meaningful way the wife of the aspirant is involved in the discernment of her husband’s vocation.

The mentor is essential to the formation of the aspirant. He accompanies, supports, and challenges the aspirant in his ongoing human development and growth in virtue. He helps the aspirant to discern if he is indeed being called to the Diaconate. At the end of every year of formation, the mentor provides an evaluation on the aspirant to the formation team.

Spiritual Dimension

The goal of spiritual formation is putting on the mind of Christ, thereby establishing and nurturing attitudes, habits, and practices that provide a foundation for the development of an authentic and ongoing spiritual life. This stage creates an environment in which the aspirant is encouraged to grow in his personal relationship with Christ and in his commitment to the Church and its mission in the world. The formation community plays a significant role in spiritual formation.

The spiritual dimension includes the following:

Communal celebration of the Eucharist, Liturgy of the Hours, and Sacrament of Reconciliation
Time scheduled for private prayer, meditation, and Lectio Divina
Devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints
Conferences and workshops on the meaning of authentic obedience, celibacy, and simplicity of life; on a Christian witness in both matrimonial and celibate life to the Church and the world
An understanding and appreciation of the diaconal vocation, with an ability to articulate this call through the primary ministries of word, liturgy, and charity
An introduction and experience of the spiritual writings of our Catholic tradition

The aspirant’s spiritual director is critical to the formation process. The director accompanies, supports, and challenges the aspirant in his ongoing conversion. He also assists the aspirant in his relationship with God and his understanding that it is Christ who calls, the Church that affirms his diaconal vocation, and the bishop who responds to that affirmation by the imposition of hands (ordination).

Intellectual Dimension

The goal of intellectual formation is to communicate a deeper knowledge of the faith and church tradition. The objectives and content of intellectual formation will communicate a deeper knowledge of the faith and the Word of God. The aspirant will come to know the Scriptures as the Living Word of God, learn to read it as prayer, listen to the movements of the Spirit within its content, and embrace it as the heart of a deacon’s intellectual life. This is preparation for a more intense study of Scripture and doctrine in the following years.

At this stage the aspirants go through an in-depth and systematic study of the Catechism of the Catholic Church as well as philosophy, spirituality, doctrine, and canonical, doctrinal and ministerial understanding of the diaconate. The aspirant will be introduced to the art of theological reflection

Aspirants will take the following core courses:

History and Theology of the Diaconate
Philosophy for Theology
Introduction to Sacred Scripture
Catholic Spiritual Tradition
Evangelization and Mission
Fundamental Theology
Church History
Pentateuch and Prophets
Introduction to Liturgy
Spiritual Theology
Cardinal and Theological Virtues
Catechetical Pedagogy

Pastoral Dimension

The goal of pastoral formation is the discernment of the aspirant’s gifts for the threefold ministry (word, liturgy, and charity), and of his capacity to make a lifelong commitment to these ministries is the ultimate focus of the pastoral dimension in formation.

Pastoral formation introduces the aspirant to the practical services provided by the diocesan church, in particular the work and mission of Catholic Charities (Caritas). The pastoral placements match the aspirant’s experience and need and allow them to explore core issues regarding charity and the social dimension of the Gospel.

The aspirant learns how to develop his own ability to apply the Church’s teaching on moral matters, especially her social teaching and pressing moral questions that emerge in pastoral ministry. He is made aware of the needs of the people of the diocesan church and his parish. Workshops on family issues, personal health, time management, caregiving skills, and married and celibate spirituality will contribute to his formation.

Assessment for Nomination

Assessment for Nomination into the Candidate Stage

The conclusion of the aspirant stage is determined through a formal assessment conducted by the formation staff and the Admissions Committee. This takes place when the aspirant, with the consent of his wife and permission of those responsible for his formation, makes a written petition to the bishop for admission to candidacy.

The following documents are to be prepared for petition to admission:

A personal, handwritten, and signed letter prepared for the diocesan bishop requesting admission to candidacy, as well as the reception of the Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders.
A personal, handwritten, and signed letter of consent prepared by the married aspirant’s wife.

Each aspirant will be interviewed by the Admissions Committee to appraise his readiness for nomination into the candidate stage. The Committee also meets with the wife of a married aspirant to ascertain her level of consent and support for her husband’s admission into candidate formation.

The Director of Formation, on behalf of the formation staff and the Admissions Committee, will prepare a declaration which outlines the profile of the aspirant’s personality and a judgment of suitability. This declaration, accompanied by the individual nomination and rationale of each member of the committee, is prepared for the bishop, who selects those to be admitted to Candidacy for Holy Orders.

Rite of Admission to Candidacy

The Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders is celebrated as soon as the aspirant is admitted. In this rite, the one who aspires to ordination publicly manifests his will to offer himself to God and the Church to exercise a sacred order.

In this way, he is admitted into the ranks of candidates for the Diaconate. The Rite has public character and ecclesial significance. Enrollment among the candidates for Holy Orders is a first official recognition of the positive signs of the vocation to the diaconate, which must be confirmed in the subsequent years of formation.

Prior to the Rite of Admission to Candidacy, the aspirants participate in a retreat.

Deacons must be dignified, not deceitful, not addicted to drink, not greedy for sordid gain, holding fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. Moreover, they should be tested first; then, if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. Deacons may be married only once and must manage their children and their households well. Thus, those who serve well as deacons gain good standing and much confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.
(1 Tim 3:8-12; NABRE)

Contacts:

Dcn. Rodney Asebedo
Director of Diaconal Formation
817-945-9483

Paola Quintero-Araújo, MA
Assistant Director of Pastoral Formation
817-945-9353

Sr. Anne Frances Ai Le, OP, PhD, MATS
Assistant Director of Intellectual Formation
817-945-9481

Maria Aguilar
Administrative Assistant to Diaconal Formation
817-945-9482

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Vocations