Discerning the Diaconate

What's Your Calling?

Vocations are encouraged in order to share the story and joy of the diaconate, which finds its meaning in a life of sacramental service through the Holy Orders. The permanent diaconate is necessary for the work of our Catholic Church to continue. In the earliest stages of discernment, we realize that some men are considering the Diaconate as a ministry, but might not be ready to discuss or get unwanted attention. That's ok. The Holy Spirit will guide you in your call to God’s service.

A vocation to the diaconate is discerned and identified through prayer, study, open communication with one’s spouse, children, family, pastor, friends, spiritual direction and fellow parishioners. It's an abiding awareness that God is asking a lifetime commitment on the part of the man being called to serve God’s people as an ordained deacon of the Church.

A Deacon's Ministry

God is calling each of us to serve one another in charity and love. For some, there is a particular invitation to serve Christ and the Church in ordained ministry. The permanent diaconate is a ministry of service that is open to married and single men throughout our many cultural communities in the diocese.

Permanent deacons know the difficulties of balancing faith, family, and financial security. By his vocation, the deacon bridges work, family and leisure with Church life. By living and working in the secular world, the deacon seeks to model the integration of what one believes and how one lives.

How Do I Discern?

God is calling each of us to serve one another in charity and love. For some, there is a particular invitation to serve Christ and the Church in ordained ministry. The permanent diaconate is a ministry of service that is open to married and single men throughout our many cultural communities in the diocese. Permanent deacons know the difficulties of balancing faith, family, and financial security. By his vocation, the deacon bridges work, family and leisure with Church life. By living and working in the secular world, the deacon seeks to model the integration of what one believes and how one lives.

Personal Discernment

A deacon is a man who is called by God through the Church and ordained by his bishop to serve the needs of God’s people. If a married man is called to the diaconate, his wife must consent and support his decision to seek formation and ordination. We believe that each ordained deacon is conformed through the sacramental grace of Holy Orders into the image of Jesus the Servant.

Family Discernment

Each aspirant must openly discuss his vocation with his wife (if married) and family. Her support is essential to the discernment process, as she plays a vital role in his call to the diaconate. From the start, she must be prepared to participate in all required aspects of formation.

Communal
Discernment

The discernment of a diaconate vocation is never private; the Church must accompany each aspirant on his journey. The parish community, through ministerial service and relationships with clergy, plays a key role in prayer and formation. The Diaconate Office, on behalf of the Bishop, also supports this discernment at the diocesan level.

Attend a Discovery Evening

Have you ever wondered if you were being “called” to discern the diaconate? Has anyone suggested they can see you as deacon some day? Do you feel that God is calling you to live your faith differently, perhaps as a deacon? Want to learn more about how to sort this all out?

Join us to explore some of these questions and others that you may have about the Diaconate. Diaconate Discovery Evenings will be a consistent space to wonder, explore, pray and share with other men of faith regarding serving the Church as a Permanent Deacon.

Learn More About the Formation Process

Interested in learning more or attending a Discovery Evening?
Contact Deacon John DiTaranto, Director of the Diaconate
DnDitaranto@diobpt.org