Are You Being Called To The Diaconate?
The
Second Vatican Council
said that a deacon is dedicated to the works of charity
and functions of
administration. A deacon is ordained and commissioned by Christ
through the
bishop to minister to the needy and the poor and to be a minister of
Word
and Sacrament, working in obedience to his bishop and in close fraternal
cooperation with the priests. It is through the Sacrament of Holy Orders that
the deacon acquires a special relationship to the
bishop.
How
Do I Know I Am Being Called?
The
first stirrings of a vocation to the diaconate are often explored at a personal
level and usually begin with seeking information about the diaconate and
formation. Here, an individual initially reflects upon the nature of his
perceived call. Primacy must be given at this time to the spiritual dimension,
and central to this is spiritual guidance. “Because every spiritual journey is
personal and individual, it requires personal guidance. The
pastor and others on the parish staff are particular resources at this
time. As the majority of those who inquire about the diaconate are married, they
should be directed to pay particular attention to discussing their possible
vocation with their wives and families. The initial information and
conversations with their pastor and others should assist and encourage these
discussions. For a married man, the support and consent of his wife is required.
Therefore, both spouses need to make sure that support and consent, even at this
early stage of discernment, arise
from an informed understanding.
The
Second Vatican Council
said that a deacon is dedicated to the works of charity
and functions of
administration. A deacon is ordained and commissioned by Christ
through the
bishop to minister to the needy and the poor and to be a minister of
Word
and Sacrament, working in obedience to his bishop and in close fraternal
cooperation with the priests. It is through the Sacrament of Holy Orders that
the deacon acquires a special relationship to the
bishop.
How
Do I Know I Am Being Called?
The
first stirrings of a vocation to the diaconate are often explored at a personal
level and usually begin with seeking information about the diaconate and
formation. Here, an individual initially reflects upon the nature of his
perceived call. Primacy must be given at this time to the spiritual dimension,
and central to this is spiritual guidance. “Because every spiritual journey is
personal and individual, it requires personal guidance. The
pastor and others on the parish staff are particular resources at this
time. As the majority of those who inquire about the diaconate are married, they
should be directed to pay particular attention to discussing their possible
vocation with their wives and families. The initial information and
conversations with their pastor and others should assist and encourage these
discussions. For a married man, the support and consent of his wife is required.
Therefore, both spouses need to make sure that support and consent, even at this
early stage of discernment, arise
from an informed understanding.