Frequently Asked Questions

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint Cloud



	Frequently Asked Questions About Deacons! Who is a Deacon? A deacon is an ordained minister of the Catholic Church, as one of three “orders” of ordained ministers—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.” What are the “various ministries” of the Deacon? All ordained ministers in the Church are called to functions of Word, Sacrament and Charity, yet bishops, presbyters and deacons exercise these functions in various ways. As ministers of the Word, deacons proclaim the Gospel, preach and teach in the name of the Church. As ministers of the 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 marshaling 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 functions a deacon performs, they flow from his sacramental identity. In other words, it is not only WHAT the deacon does but WHO a deacon is that is important. 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. How do I know I am being called to serve as a Deacon? Good question. Have you ever had a sense that you might be called to serve God through the blessings you have received? May be you sensed a call to assist our priests in the daily work of parish ministry. May be you have become acutely aware of the many injustices facing God’s people in the world, and you feel a call to try to make a difference. All Christians are called to serve, but perhaps you have felt a desire to move closer to God and His Church in order to serve others in a new and purposeful way. If so, God may be calling you to be a permanent deacon. If you find yourself serious about discovering whether God is calling you to become a deacon, you begin with an honest search, which begins in your own heart. What is God saying to you? Ask God. God may speak very clearly or you may feel a gentle tug of grace moving you to this ministry. If this sense of being called persists, trust it. Do I meet the requirements? Male, between the ages of 31 and 55. Recommended by your pastor. Able to handle graduate level work— academic formation includes a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry. Tuition paid by the parish and the diocese. Physically and emotionally healthy, and free from any substance dependence. Have the support of your spouse and children. Deacon Candidates— who are they? People of faith and prayer and, whose daily living gives evidence of such. Men who work well with others and are respected by the people of the parish and those with whom he works. Men whose marriage (if married) gives evidence of stability and is blessed with a wife who is supportive of his desire to become a deacon. Individuals who have gifts and talents that can be used by a parish or community. How are Deacons prepared for ordination and ministry? An applicant completes four years of formation prior to ordination. Formation encompasses the following: Human Formation--development of human qualities through academic class work, field education and couple formation days. Spiritual Formation--regular participation in spiritual direction. Intellectual/Academic Formation--a Master of Arts Degree in Pastoral Ministry (or equivalent). An undergraduate degree is not always necessary. Pastoral Formation--supervised internship in pastoral ministry at a parish, hospital, etc. How do I find out more about becoming a Deacon? Talk to your pastor and contact Deacon Vern Schmitz of the Office of Diaconate. He will outline the various requirements and processes. Call 320-203-0554 or e-mail him at vschmitz@gw.stcdio.org “At the direction of the Second Vatican Council, the Permanent Diaconate has been restored as a vital ministry in assisting us bishops in the mission of the Church. By Sacred Ordination and their exercise of ‘the ministry of the Liturgy, of the word, and of charity,’ deacons have a special relationship to us to fulfilling our responsibilities of bringing the knowledge and genuine comfort of Christ to the People of God. Bishop Wilton Gregory. Return to Diaconate Home Page

Frequently Asked Questions About Deacons!

Who is a Deacon?

A deacon is an ordained minister of the Catholic Church, as one of three “orders” of ordained ministers—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.”

What are the “various ministries” of the Deacon?

All ordained ministers in the Church are called to functions of Word, Sacrament and Charity, yet bishops, presbyters and deacons exercise these functions in various ways.

As ministers of the Word, deacons proclaim the Gospel, preach and teach in the name of the Church.

As ministers of the 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 marshaling 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 functions a deacon performs, they flow from his sacramental identity. In other words, it is not only WHAT the deacon does but WHO a deacon is that is important.

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.

How do I know I am being called to serve as a Deacon?

Good question. Have you ever had a sense that you might be called to serve God through the blessings you have received? May be you sensed a call to assist our priests in the daily work of parish ministry.

May be you have become acutely aware of the many injustices facing God’s people in the world, and you feel a call to try to make a difference.

All Christians are called to serve, but perhaps you have felt a desire to move closer to God and His Church in order to serve others in a new and purposeful way. If so, God may be calling you to be a permanent deacon.

If you find yourself serious about discovering whether God is calling you to become a deacon, you begin with an honest search, which begins in your own heart. What is God saying to you? Ask God. God may speak very clearly or you may feel a gentle tug of grace moving you to this ministry. If this sense of being called persists, trust it.

Do I meet the requirements?

Male, between the ages of 31 and 55.

Recommended by your pastor.

Able to handle graduate level work— academic formation includes a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry. Tuition paid by the parish and the diocese.
Physically and emotionally healthy, and free from any substance dependence.

Have the support of your spouse and children.

Deacon Candidates— who are they?

People of faith and prayer and, whose daily living gives evidence of such.

Men who work well with others and are respected by the people of the parish and those with whom he works.

Men whose marriage (if married) gives evidence of stability and is blessed with a wife who is supportive of his desire to become a deacon.

Individuals who have gifts and talents that can be used by a parish or community.

How are Deacons prepared for ordination and ministry?

An applicant completes four years of formation prior to ordination. Formation encompasses the following:

Human Formation--development of human qualities through academic class work, field education and couple formation days.

Spiritual Formation--regular participation in spiritual direction.

Intellectual/Academic Formation--a Master of Arts Degree in Pastoral Ministry (or equivalent). An undergraduate degree is not always necessary.

Pastoral Formation--supervised internship in pastoral ministry at a parish, hospital, etc.

How do I find out more about becoming a Deacon?

Talk to your pastor and contact Deacon Vern Schmitz of the Office of Diaconate. He will outline the various requirements and processes. Call 320-203-0554 or e-mail him at vschmitz@gw.stcdio.org

“At the direction of the Second Vatican Council, the Permanent Diaconate has been restored as a vital ministry in assisting us bishops in the mission of the Church. By Sacred Ordination and their exercise of ‘the ministry of the Liturgy, of the word, and of charity,’ deacons have a special relationship to us to fulfilling our responsibilities of bringing the knowledge and genuine comfort of Christ to the People of God.
Bishop Wilton Gregory.

Return to Diaconate Home Page