Office for the Diaconate

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The Office for the Diaconate

provides formation for men, single and married, interested in serving as permanent deacons in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois
raises consciousness among the faithful about the mission and ministry of the deacons as icons of Jesus the Servant in the Church; and
assists in the placement of permanent deacons in parishes and institutions.

Staff

David G. Sorrell
Director
Email: dsorrell@dio.org
Extension: 125

Teresa Gray
Executive Secretary
Email: tgray@dio.org
Extension: 153

Thank you for taking the time to contact the Office for the Diaconate! Whether it is via email, phone or mail, we look forward to hearing from you.

Mailing Address
Office for the Diaconate
1615 West Washington St.
Springfield, Illinois 62702-4757

Phone: 217-698-8500

E-mail: webmaster@dio.org

About the Diaconate

The Formation and Ministry of Permanent Deacons

The Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois
A deacon serves the Church in the name of Jesus Christ as an ordained minister. Like bishops and priests, the deacon shares the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Deacons existed from the very earliest days of the Church, and are mentioned several times in the New Testament.

Some men serve as deacons about a year before they are ordained priests; they are commonly called transitional deacons. Other men, married and single, serve as deacons for life; they are commonly called permanent deacons.

While the diaconate existed throughout the history of the Church, gradually most deacons were on their way to the priesthood. Vatican Council II called for the restoration of the diaconate as a permanent ministry in the Church.

In 2002, Bishop George J. Lucas implemented the first permanent deacon formation process in the history of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.

Ministry of the Deacon

The word deacon in Greek means servant. Vatican Council II explained that deacons serve the Church by being "dedicated to the People of God in the ministry of the liturgy, of the word, and of charity." (Lumen gentium, 29)

The ministry of the liturgy includes assisting the priest at Mass and other liturgies, proclaiming the gospel and preaching the homily, baptizing, assisting at marriages, exposing the Blessed Sacrament and bestowing the benediction, administering sacramentals, bringing Viaticum to the dying, and presiding over funerals and burials.

The ministry of the word includes preaching, presiding at liturgies of the word, providing catechetical instruction, and being involved in the various teaching works of the Church.

The ministry of charity includes the great and various charitable works of the Church. Since he is ordained as a public servant of the Church, the deacon's charitable works are in many ways his special charism. He works with the aged and poor, the sick and suffering, the imprisoned and the burdened, the lowly and the needy, the elderly and all in special need of Christ's presence.

Deacon Formation

The Church requires that the formation of a permanent deacon lasts five years.

During the first two year, the person is known as an aspirant. This is a special period of discernment for him and an opportunity to learn more, with other aspirants, about the vocation to be an ordained deacon.

During the next three years, he is called a candidate. His formation focuses on immediate preparation to become a deacon.

During these five years (aspirancy and candidacy), the formation of the future deacon focuses on four areas of growth and development: the human, the spiritual, the intellectual, and the pastoral. Aspirants and candidates gather one weekend each month (Friday evening through Sunday afternoon) for theological studies and events to enhance their human, spiritual, and pastoral formation.

Aspirants and candidates also spend together a week every June on retreat. They meet with their personal spiritual director once a month. They pray the Liturgy of the Hoursdaily, attend Mass on weekdays when possible, and celebrate the sacrament of penance regularly.

Aspirants and candidates can expect to spend 7-10 hours a week pursuing academics between the formation weekends.

In addition, they are assigned to serve in a parish or institution 5-10 hours a week during their five years of formation.

The wives of aspirants and candidates are invited to take part in their formation gatherings. Wives must give their consent before their husbands are ordained.

Ministry as a Deacon in the Diocese

After his ordination, the deacon will be assigned to a parish or institution where he will perform the ministry assigned by the bishop.

He will be assigned where the bishop discerns the need for a deacon (in some place near his home and family, but not necessarily in his home parish).

He may also be assigned to non-parochial ministry such as hospital ministry, campus ministry, prison ministry, charitable works, etc.

It is presumed that the deacon will sustain himself and his family through a secular profession and will volunteer 10-20 hours per week to his Church assignment. He may, however, be employed by the Church (e.g., as a parish life coordinator, pastoral associate, etc.)

The deacon is required to pursue structured continuing formation opportunities. He must make an annual spiritual retreat.

Qualifications to Begin Deacon Formation

Solid faith in God and God's redemptive concern for all peoples, as revealed in Jesus Christ and proclaimed by the Catholic Church

Deep and growing spirituality, living relationship with the Lord Jesus through daily prayer; openness to continued human and spiritual growth; Eucharistic devotion; regular celebration of the sacrament of penance; Marian devotion

Full Christian initiation (baptism, confirmation, Eucharist) in the Catholic Church; be a Catholic for at least five years

Active and full participation in the life of the Church

Strong desire to serve the People of God: prior and continuing record of service in works of charity and mercy
Adherence to the teaching of the Church, even in the privacy of one's personal life
Potential for transparency and credibility as an ordained minister of the Catholic Church
If married: stable, mature, and valid marriage for at least seven years, and consent of wife to pursue the deacon formation process; commitment to life-long celibacy should the wife precede the deacon in death
If single: demonstration of, and commitment to, life-long chaste celibacy (Permanent deacons may not marry after ordination.)
Proven desire and ability to collaborate
Academic ability to pursue graduate level courses
Good health: physical and psychological
Normally, at least 32 to begin the deacon formation process, and not over 62 at the time of ordination
Reside in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois for at least two years
Recommendation and support of one's pastor and parish community

Frequntly Asked Questions

Who is a Deacon?

A deacon is an ordained minister of the Catholic Church. There are three groups, or "orders," of ordained ministers in the Church: bishops, presbyters and deacons. Deacons are ordained as a sacramental sign to the Church and to the world of Christ, who came "to serve and not to be served." The entire Church is called by Christ to serve, and the deacon, in virtue of his sacramental ordination and through his various ministries, is to be a servant in a servant-Church.

What are these "various ministries" of the Deacon?

All ordained ministers in the Church are called to functions of Word, Sacrament, and Charity, but bishops, presbyters and deacons exercise these functions in various ways. As ministers of Word, deacons proclaim the Gospel, preach, and teach in the name of the Church. As ministers of Sacrament, deacons baptize, lead the faithful in prayer, witness marriages, and conduct wake and funeral services As ministers of Charity, deacons are leaders in identifying the needs of others, then marshalling the Church's resources to meet those needs. Deacons are also dedicated to eliminating the injustices or inequities that cause such needs. But no matter what specific functions a deacon performs, they flow from his sacramental identity. In other words, it is not only WHAT a deacon does, but WHO a deacon is, that is important.

Why do some deacons become priests?

For many years ordained ministers "ascended" from one office to another, culminating in ordination to the presbyterate, or priesthood. The Second Vatican Council (1962 - 1965), however, authorized the restoration of the diaconate as a PERMANENT order of ministry. So, while students for the priesthood are still ordained deacons prior to their ordination as priests, there are more than 13, 000 deacons in the United States alone who minister in this Order permanently. There is no difference in the sacramental sign or the functions between these so-called "transitional" and "permanent deacons."

May married men be ordained deacons?

Yes. The Second Vatican Council decreed that the diaconate, when it was restored as a permanent order in the hierarchy, could be opened to "mature married men," later clarified to mean men over the age of 35. This is in keeping with the ancient tradition of the Church, in which married men were ordained into ministry. Also in keeping with ancient practice is the expectation that while a married man may be ordained, an ordained man, if his wife should die, may not marry again without special permission.

Is a Deacon ordained for the Parish or the Diocese?

Whenever a person is ordained, he is to serve the diocesan Church. Deacons are no different in this regard: they are assigned by the bishop to ministries for which the bishop perceives a great need, and for which the deacon may have special gifts or talents. Most often, this will be within a parish setting, just as most priests serve in a parish. Once assigned to the parish, the deacon and any other clergy assigned to the parish minister under the immediate supervision of the pastor. However, this assignment may be changed at the request of the deacon or the initiative of the bishop.

How do I find out more about becoming a Deacon?

Reprinted with permission of the USCCB.

For more information, please contact our office.
The formation of permanent deacons is funded entirely by the Annual Catholic Services Appeal.

Faculties for Deacons

In addition to the faculties granted to deacons by the law of the Church, the following faculties or permissions are granted to deacons incardinated in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois and other deacons to whom they have been specifically granted. They are granted absolutely, but are to be exercised under the direction of the pastor of the parish to which he is assigned (if he is assigned to a parish); otherwise, they are to be exercised under the direction of the rector of the church in which the deacon's ministry occurs.

To proclaim the scriptures to the faithful; to teach the faithful after consultation with the pastor and with his approval; to preach when the deacon is the presiding minister of a sacrament or liturgical rite; to preach at Masses, with the approval of the pastor;¹
To administer the sacrament of baptism at the request of the pastor;
To distribute the Holy Eucharist and to bring communion to the sick and dying, at the direction of the pastor;
With the necessary delegation as prescribed by law, to assist at marriages;²
To assist at Mass according to the liturgical norms; to carry out with the priests of the parish the various liturgical roles in service at the altar (in proper liturgical dress);
To minister as deacon and to preside at funeral and burial rites, in accord with the Order of Christian Funerals;
To be the minister of exposition and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament;
To be of help to the pastor and the priests of the parish in their assigned duties.

This decree is effective immediately.

Most Reverend George J. Lucas
Bishop of Springfield in Illinois

Reverend Monsignor Carl A. Kemme, V.G.
Ecclesiastical Notary

June 25, 2007

Springfield, Illinois

__________________________

¹Canon 764 says: "Without prejudice to the prescript of can. 765, presbyters and deacons possess the faculty of preaching everywhere; this faculty is to be exercised with at least the presumed consent of the rector of the church, unless the competent authority has restricted or taken away the faculty or particular law requires express permission."In the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, particular law does not require express permission for a deacon to exercise this faculty of preaching.

²Note that the express delegation must be given to assist at each marriage, in accord with the norm of the law, by the local ordinary or the pastor: see canon 1111. This pagelladoes not grant that delegation in a general way.

Staff

About the Diaconate

Frequntly Asked Questions

Faculties for Deacons

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