What is the diaconate?
Deacons are members of the clergy. They have a threefold ministry of “Word” (proclaiming the Gospel), “Sacrament” (baptizing, witnessing marriages) and “Charity” (outreach to the poor). They serve throughout the diocese in parish, liturgical and service ministries; in veteran’s hospitals, care homes, prisons and jails, and homes for the battered and abused; by speaking out for the marginalized, giving voice in the diocese against human trafficking and by visiting the sick and ministering in hospitals.
Deacons assist at Mass, proclaiming the Gospel, sometimes preaching and as an ordinary minister at Eucharistic assisting the priest. Deacons preside at funeral vigils, funeral rites without a Mass, and final commendations at the gravesite. They also preside at benedictions and give blessings.
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Learn more about the ministry and history of the diaconate
Candidates for the diaconate are expected to:
- Be a practicing Catholic for 10 years or more
- Have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, and be validly married by the Church, if applicable
- Be at least 35 years of age but not older than 55 years of age at the time of application
- Be of good physical and mental health
- Be gainfully employed or retired
- Have sufficient time to devote to the formation program
- If married, both oral and written support, endorsement and consent of his wife and family. His wife should be wiling to participate in the formation process
- Have demonstrated leadership ability. Capacity to fulfill the social justice ministry component of the deacon's ministry
- Have a commitment to celibacy is required of non-married candidates, as well as widowers
The wife of a deacon candidate plays a vital role in supporting his formation. She is also strongly encouraged to participate as often as possible during her husband's formation process to help give her a better understanding of the role of the deacon in the Church and community he will be serving. She must be included in the screening process as well as in the formulation of the diaconal assignment. The candidate’s wife must sign a personal letter to the bishop indicating that she understands the responsibilities her husband will assume upon ordination and that she approves of her husband's request for ordination, without any reservation.
The formation process for the diaconate has several stages: Inquiry and Discernment, Aspirancy, Candidacy and finally Ordination.
As with all vocations, a man considering the permanent diaconate must discern God’s will for his life and whether he is being called to be a deacon. During the Inquiry and discernment stage, workshops providing tools for discernment are conducted prior to application to the program. These workshops are for the inquirer and, if he is married, his wife.
The Discernment and Inquiry Program is a requirement for the Aspirancy Program. It is designed to help the Inquirer and his wife discern whether to make a formal application to the Aspirancy Program. Participants will be provided with tools for discernment and will explore the various dimensions of diaconate. Each session is progressive and builds on the previous session. Participation in all sessions is expected and if the Inquirer is married, it is expected that his wife attend, so that she can give informed consent if her husband applies for the Aspirancy Program.
The formation process includes the following topics:
Spiritual formation
- Discernment Retreat
- Candidacy Retreat
- Ministry of Justice and Charity
- Proclamation
- Prayer and Spirituality
- Social Teaching
- Institution of the Reader
- Deacon as Icon of Jesus the Servant
Doctrinal formation
- Old Testament
- New Testament
- Sacramental Theology
- Liturgy
- Ecclesiology
- Canon Law
- Homiletics
- Ethics and Morality
- Ecumenism
Pastoral formation
- Basics of Pastoral Ministry
- Boundaries
- Charity and Justice Internship
- Institution of Acolyte
- Ministry in the Diocese of Oakland
- Multicultural Ministry and Mission
- Liturgical Internship
In response to contemporary circumstances and needs, bishops at the Vatican Council II voted to restore the ancient office of the permanent diaconate. On June 18, 1967, Pope Paul VI issued, in "motu proprio," the "General Norms for Restoring the Permanent Diaconate in the Latin Church." In the early 1970s, U.S. bishops approved the ordination of married deacons. Today the United States has more permanent deacons than anywhere else in the world.
The move to establish the diaconate in Oakland originated with the Priests Senate in 1973. Bishop Begin approved the program in 1974. The first deacon class of 27 men was ordained on Feb. 17, 1978. Since then, six additional classes have been ordained. Currently, more than 100 deacons provide distinguished service to the community.
On Oct. 4, 1975 the first diaconate class was accepted for candidacy at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral. Formation was completed under the direction of Fathers James Schexnayder and Dan Danielson.
On Feb. 17, 1978 the first deacon class of 27 men was ordained. The Diocese of Oakland has ordained six additional classes since then and currently has more than 100 deacons providing distinguished service to the community.