Deacons:  Formation

Deacons, who are ministers of the mysteries of Jesus . . . are not mere servants with food and drink, but emissaries of God's Church.   
                                                        From the Letter of St. Ignatius of Antioch to the Trallians

Initial Deacon Formation
On-going Deacon Formation
 

Initial Deacon Formation 

The deacon formation program in the Diocese of Albany is open to Catholic male candidates between the ages of 35-62. A candidate contemplating serving the Body of Christ as a deacon should contact the Diocesan Office for Deacons; telephone 518-453-6670.  A prospective candidate must complete the diocesan Formation for Ministry 2 year program. During this time an individual can begin the discernment  process of deciding what God is calling him to do.  

Admission into the Aspirant Path in Formation

The diocese’s committee on admission and scrutiny reviews the application dossier of an applicant and recommends to the bishop those applicants whom they have judged as possessing the necessary qualities for entrance and successful completion of the aspirant path. With the acceptance of the applicant into aspirant formation, the admission process continues with an assessment of readiness for entrance into the candidate path in formation.  This process is usually one year. 

The deacon formal formation period is three years. Candidates meet twice a month, usually on a Saturday in the first year. The meetings alternate between formation, deacon spirituality, homiletics, and liturgical practices. A weekend retreat is held at the end of the first year for the deacon candidate and his wife, if he is married. Graduate level college courses are taken at St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry at the Albany, New York campus. Curriculum courses include Christology, Contemporary Moral Theology, Old Testament Themes, New Testament Themes, and several other elective courses. The candidate and spouse are encouraged to participate in all aspects of the formation program together when possible. 

A deacon practicum period occurs in the second year at a Catholic church in the Albany diocese that is not the candidate’s home parish. This period usually runs from the beginning of the year through the completion of the Easter season.  The deacon candidate trains as a liturgical minister on the altar and under the mentorship of a specifically designated deacon who will instruct, critique, and encourage the candidate during this period of on-the-job training in the parish setting.  Prayer must be a major part of the candidate’s life and discernment is always ongoing. 

After approximately 4 months the deacon candidate will be asked to serve an internship in any of several service ministries. They may be hospital chaplain, inner-city programs, elderly care, hospice care or other Christian ministries. 

Initial formation continues during the second year and the candidate must make a directed eight-day silent religious retreat. 

At the conclusion of the second year practicum the candidate continues Theological courses and returns to the monthly homiletics and liturgical instructions. Liturgical studies in this semester include baptism, marriage, and Sunday service in the absence of a priest. The candidate will also be asked to serve, on occasion, at the parish of the liturgical minister. He will be offered suggestions as needed.

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On-going Deacon Formation 

The ordained deacon is provided with opportunities for on-going formation. 

DEACON STUDY DAYS

Deacons are offered three 3 hour sessions on the first Saturdays of December, March, and May at the Pastoral Center.  Lunch is provided.  Skilled instructors present topics such as:

- Theology
- Preaching
- Prison & Jail Ministry
- Hospital Ministry
- Bereavement - Death Notification - follow up
- Liturgy, etc. 

BOOKS

As budget and circumstances allow we purchase a book that is sent to each deacon and urge the deacon community to cluster in their region to discuss the book and the message for deacon ministry. 

ANNUAL ALBANY DEACON RETREAT

We encourage and promote attendance at the annual Fall retreat. An annual retreat is required for all deacons. We also have information on other retreats for the deacon and his wife.

ANNUAL NADD REGION 1 DEACON GATHERING

The National Association of Deacon Directors (NADD) sponsors regional meetings.  The Albany Diocese is part of Region 1.  National level people make presentations at this all day Saturday gathering of deacons and wives who come from throughout the New England States.   

GATHERING FOR NEWLY ORDAINED DEACONS

The new Directory requires that the newly ordained deacons (and wives) be mentored and supported.  We meet with them regularly, and provide an avenue for the flow of information. 

ADMINISTRATIVE DAYS

At the request of the Bishop, we hold periodic administrative days to keep deacons informed on Church policies and procedures.  See the Events link for further information.

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Copyright 2008, by The Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany