Class of 2009 in Second Year Formation - Class of 2011 in Aspirancy
These requirements are for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Requirements will vary by diocese.

Personal Requirements

1. be a baptized man who is confirmed;

2. be a Roman Catholic for a minimum of 5 years;

3. be an United States Citizen or a legal, permanent resident at the time of admission;

4. be at least 32 years of age at the time of admission to the program;

5. be less than 60 years at the time of ordination;

6. enjoy good physical and mental health with no condition which would impede diaconal ministry.

7. have successfully completed two years of college or its equivalent in life experience (evaluated on an individual basis by the Deacon Formation Team);

8. possess financial security with a history of steady employment in a position that does not require frequent travel or reassignment;

9. be a registered parishioner in a parish within the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

Family Requirements

10. if married, have been married for at least five years and live in a stable and valid marriage, and be willing to remain celibate if his wife precedes him in death;

11. have the wife's full support. Her commitment is essential as not only will she be supporting you while in the program but also she is expected to participate in the screening process and attend retreats, days of recollection, professional days and other such events throughout the formation period. She is welcome to attend any and all aspects of the formation program except those few which are designed for candidates only;

12. if single, enjoy a stable settled life with a history of healthy relationships and understand the implications of the charism of celibacy;

13. enjoy with his family a good reputation within the community;

14. be able to give the time required for study and service without detriment to his family.

Ministry Requirements

15. have shown a significant involvement in the Roman Catholic Church;

16. have successfully completed either the: To Be Church Together program between 1986 and 1998

or

      CORE Curriculum of the Church Leadership Institute (CLI)

      The Deacon Formation Team will consider equivalencies for these requirements on a

      case-by-case basis;

17. participate and successfully complete the Aspirancy Period coordinated by the Office of Clergy Personnel within two years prior to acceptance to the Deacon Formation program. This period will be a series of discernment days and there is an attendance fee;

18. be willing and able to make a life-long commitment to serve the Church of Baltimore as determined by the Archbishop of Baltimore;

19. be willing to promise obedience to the Archbishop of Baltimore and be willing to accept any pastoral assignment that may be given to him;

20. be presently active in the Church and be recognized and accepted as a leader within the community;

21. be highly recommended by those who have worked with him in ministry and who can attest to his potential to be and ordained minister in the Church.

More Information

• Basic Norms for the Formation of Permanent Deacons
  Directory for the Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons
  United States Catholic Conference, Washington, DC, July 1998
  ISBN: 1-57455-242-2
  
  
• The Diaconate: A Full and Equal Order
  James M. Burnett
  Seabury Press, NY, 1981
  ISBN: 0-8164-0497-6
  
  
• Foundation for the Renewal of the Diaconate
  Bishop's Committee on the Permanent Diaconate
  National Conference of Catholic Bishops
  ISBN: 1-55586-185-7
  
  
• The Deacon in Church Ministry
  Rev. Msgr. Joseph R. Roth, D.D. Alt Publishing Co.; Green Bay, WI
  Library of Congress: 97-71058
  
  

National Association of Diaconate Directors
http://www.nadd.org/

National Diaconate Institute for Continuing Education
http://www.ndice.org/

National Conference of Catholic Bishops - Diaconate
http://www.usccb.org/deacon/

Archdiocese of Baltimore - Deacon Page
http://www.archbalt.org/clergy-religious-life/deacons/