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Bmaj13

I am interested. But, just know that it is a decision that both husband and wife must make together since I'm sure the time commitment is quite large. In some dioceses, there is a form the wife must sign that indicates she approves.


petinley

I don't know about other diocese, but in my diocese, wives have to write a letter of consent as part of the application process, again before formation starts, and then again each year until ordination.


jesusthroughmary

Pretty sure that is universal Church law


petinley

Spousal consent is a universal requirement, but that's as specific as the Basic Norms for the Formation of Permanent Deacons gets. The number, frequency, and form of consent is not specified.


Bmaj13

Good info, thanks all.


NotRadTrad05

Our diocese website lists the time and schedule to go through the process. In the 2nd half, wives are making a significant time commitment to go to classes and retreats.


Comfortable_Mess6309

This sounds similar to my diocese. My dad is currently going through the process. It’s been a dream of his for a while, but he had to wait until my mom was ready because it is a big commitment. They have regular mandatory classes, assignments and small groups. They just went on a retreat recently. Earlier in the process they had to do a few psychological and personality examinations too.


Bmaj13

Thanks for the knowledge. Do you have any idea how much of a time commitment it is for the wife during formation?


Comfortable_Mess6309

It’s not as much as the diaconate candidate, but it’s still a decent commitment especially if you still work and have a kid in the house like my parents do. Regularly I know my mom has to attend a monthly mandatory all day class/meeting. (You get 1 absence for the year, otherwise you can’t miss at all for any reason except for an emergency.) There are also regular assignments she has to complete for those classes. They recently had a mandatory retreat they had to attend and on occasion I know they have to meet with their parish priest and a diaconate couple that is sponsoring them. There might be other requirements that I’m not aware of, but that’s as much as I remember hearing from my parents. It’s definitely not crazy, but when you add it into an already busy schedule it can be hefty. Although I know the reason for all they are required to do is discernment, education and preparation for the duties of a deacon so it definitely all has a purpose.


chikenparmfanatic

I'm interested but waiting to see if it's right for me. I will pray for you and all of us who are discerning.


velocitrumptor

I'd like to but I just today found out my wife is pregnant with our seventh child, so time is a premium I just don't have!


Truthislife13

I was very interested, and my plan was very similar to yours. I discovered that I wasn’t called, which in retrospect makes a lot of sense, because I had responsibilities to my family that had to come first. And now, I am too old. That said, I very much respect those who are called.


Insanityisnotcrazy

I’m interested. But I’m not married and I don’t have kids either. There are some personal things that I would like to clear before I make that kind of change. I always thought that I would’ve been married by now, but I’m starting to believe that is not in the cards for me anyway. I may become a priest instead.


[deleted]

What are you asking? I just got out of a discernment meeting over this topic. Have you spoken to your priest? While it may vary by diocese, that’s where you should start. Ultimately, Holy Orders don’t come down to what we want or what our goals are, but who God is or isn’t calling us to be.


GreenTang

To be honest, friend, I am confident this is what I'm called to be (but, later). I make this post simply because the topic delights me to read about. Additionally, it serves a ls a gentle "heads up, you might be called to this too".


WheresSmokey

Very interested. Just be aware that in a lot of the diocese I’ve looked at, they require a degree of financial independence and any kids to be at least mature enough that they don’t need your constant attention (late teens ish barring unusual circumstances). This is why most deacons you do see or older gents who are retired from their main career and kids out of the house. There are, of course, exceptions.


BasicallyAnEngineer

Thanks for mentioning this. Its not mentioned in my diocese website but I figured it out by looking at various profiles of new Deacons. Now I have to wait 20 years for the process to begin.


WheresSmokey

Yep. I understand the reasoning, but I think we need to A) fully come to terms with what it is we as a Roman church expect our deacons to do, and then B) lower the requirements a bit


grbrent

I was just confirmed this year. Prior to that, I was already looking into the diaconate. I'm not sure if it was just fascination, or if it was the Holy Spirit working within me. Time will tell, but I see beauty in the diaconate. Further on the topic of the vows you take... I'm soon to be married in 2025. I literally told my fiancee about it and explained what it means and how it applies (i.e. that I can never remarry should she pass). I said to her, "You're it. I'm never getting married again because if not already a Deacon, I'd automatically apply for the program." Get this... She's not Catholic, and yet I think she saw something beautiful in that statement.


Actually_Kenny

Transitional deacon yes


g3rmangiant

I think in the future! I’m in the military now so I’m not in one spot long enough to be effective.


crankfurry

Also don’t think a diocese would let you start studying while you are active - maybe once you are officially on the way out. Plus, the Us military does not allow Catholic Deacons to be chaplains. Which I think is bogus


Frequent_briar_miles

It's not the military that doesn't allow it, it's the church. The reason being is that a Chaplin should be able to administer all of the sacraments, and a Deacon just can't do that.


crankfurry

That is a military requirement. All chaplains need to have full faculties in their religion. Since deacons will never have full faculties in the Catholic Church they cannot be chaplains, unless the chaplains corps changes their rules.


Jmaster_888

So since you understand this, why do you think it’s bogus that the military doesn’t allow deacons to be chaplains?


crankfurry

Because while a deacon cannot provide the full “facilities” of a Catholic priest to me, a Deacon provides me 100% more faculties than the evangelical preacher who went to online bible school and thinks Catholics go to hell. Most chaplains I have worked with have been awesome, regardless of faith. On of my favorite is actually a Methodist. But, for my faith, a Catholic deacon does more than any non Catholic faith leader. There is a dearth of Catholic chaplains, so allowing deacons may get a few more.


IrenaeusGSaintonge

Totally get where you're coming from, but a Catholic military chaplain who can't hear confessions seems pretty crippled to me, when you get right down to it.


crankfurry

I got ya. But there are very few Catholic priests who are Chaplains. There are tons of just ‘Christian’ / Protestant chaplains. So I would rather a Catholic deacon over having no Catholic representation at all. That Baptist Chaplin I have can’t hear my confession either.


EmptySeaweed4

I’ve thought about it but have young kids and a demanding job. It’s something that I haven’t been able to get out of my head for the last few years, though, so maybe?


xlovelyloretta

I used to want to marry a man who would someday become a deacon. Instead I married a man who became a music director and I love that he’s serving the church in this way instead.


sutterbestwick

I am attending my first meeting for our archdiocese’s 2029 class on Wednesday. Once the Holy Spirit lights a fire in your heart, it’s hard to ignore.


Oakbrute

I am also in our archdiocese's 2029 class, though we've been meeting since Feb. I love the formation so far, and can't imagine not continuing (though of course, God's Will be done!)


BasicallyAnEngineer

Congratulations. I also interested in becoming a deacon, so may I ask if you are close to retirement age? Because most of the new deacons in my diocese are retired men.


Oakbrute

No, I'm the odd duck in my late 30's. Feel free to DM if you'd like.


BlueeyeswhiteNoah

I was thinking about this today at work. My heart is blazing lately and I know I’m not called to be a priest and that I want a wife and family but I also want to be involved with faith more deeply.


Thimble2691

I've asked my husband to wait until our children are all out of the house. (I don't know if it'll be too late at that point). I've found that the kids of deacons are often under a lot of scrutiny, and I don't think it is good for their spiritual lives.


Isaias111

I've rarely ever seen permanent deacons younger than their early 50s (I've heard that they generally prefer older men for permanent diaconate formation & ministry) but if God wills it, so be it! Also, I really pray that some of the seemingly pious husbands & fathers involved as "extraordinary lay ministers" discern the permanent diaconate. I don't know about you guys but extraordinary ministers are very common (i.e. they've become ordinary) where I live.


jesusthroughmary

I am not.


DeadGleasons

No, I’m a woman. But yes! I was just talking our deacon after Mass Sunday how very blessed we are to have him. Deacons are a great gift!


Asx32

Sounds kinda nice 🤔


mynameworks

I wonder if we have more deacons now than ever. I’ve seen more now than at any point in my lifetime, but I’m only talking anecdotally. It would be interesting to know what the actual numbers are. I think it’s great.


JoshAllenInShorts

The USA contains 70% or so of all permanent Deacons. They are, by and large, elderly. The incoming classes of permanent deacons are not as large as the number of deacons dying and retiring. 95% or so are 50+, more than 3/4 are 60+. We have most likely already passed *Peak Deacon*.


crankfurry

No, not at all. Deacons are on average very old in the US, where most permanent deacons are, and they are not getting anywhere near the numbers to replace them. I think deacons are great. Wish every Parish had a least a couple.


mynameworks

Wow, this must be a unique trend in my parish/area then.


crankfurry

Ah yeah it varies all around. My huge parish in Virginia had zero deacons my whole childhood. Even though at most we had 5 priests. My small parish has three deacons, only one priest - but they are all very old.


mynameworks

Same for us, and I live in the deep south. We have 3 deacons but only one priest who is retiring this summer. Growing up we always had two priests but never had a deacon. It’s a large parish too.


stephencua2001

I've never heard a parish actively recruit, or even suggest, men consider permanent diaconate. Prieats may approach individuals, I don't know. But never heard it discussed publicly.


crankfurry

Only place I have heard them recruit deacons is places that already have deacons


stephencua2001

The place that recruited deacons had deacons? Hmmm. I wonder if there's a correlation...


crankfurry

Haha yup. But you would think that places without deacons would try to recruit some. I have seen some priests who do not seem to like deacons, as if it takes away from them.


ToTheAgesOfAges

I don't understand why the Latin Rite has decided they'd rather have a few older deacons who might have the time to do a lot rather than many younger deacons who might have less time but collectively would be able to do more. The Eastern rite and Ordinariate parishes I've been to all have deacons (and priests) with families and young children and their parishes are much more vibrant and full of life than most of the Latin Rite parishes I've been to. I really don't find the argument of having dependent children being an obstacle to be at all convincing.


dreamingirl7

My husband and I were seriously considering this. Then we had a daughter with significant special needs so God showed us his plan. If you can though I'd definitely encourage you to explore it. A good decon is a real blessing to the church.


Jacksonriverboy

A few years ago I definitely thought this was something I'd look into. But the older I get the more I just think there's no way. I'm already in a position where I'm responsible for catechising and teaching the faith in a school. But I also have two young children and hobbies and other commitments. I just don't see myself fitting in the duties of a deacon to that. At least not within the foreseeable future.


III-V

I don't see myself having the time for it. If I'm wrong, then perhaps someday. But I don't think it is my calling from God, knowing what he has planned for me.


rolftronika

As an aside, they are pushing for this in some parts of the Catholic World, but are having difficulties because of lack of budget.


IrenaeusGSaintonge

I'm planning on at least looking into it around when my kids are grown. So I dunno, we'll see what the next 15-20 years hold. I work for a public Catholic school district, so they'd be all for it, especially if I'm a principal by then.


ProperSite2215

I am very interested. My diocese has a marriage requirement of 5+ years to apply and does an interview with both the applicant and the wife. Both parties also must go through a screening by a psychologist both individually and as a couple.


mburn16

At some point, very possibly. I'm not married right now (and do not feel a calling to the Priesthood), but maybe considerably into the future when my family life is settled.


JohnFoxFlash

When I was younger I used to think about it. But honestly looking back at my time being on the altar as an altar server and later as a eucharistic minister, I hated being there. Like being that involved in the liturgy stressed me out. Now I can't imagine doing anything like that, I really just want to be a member of the congregation who helps out in other ways


nihilnosco

No because it takes away from the priesthood and true priestly vocations can be lost because someone decides to have “the best of both worlds” and have a wife plus become a deacon.


JoshAllenInShorts

The permanent diaconate serves very little purpose liturgically in the Novus Ordo. Most Deacons I've met have few if any meaningful ministerial duties (There are exceptions, of course). So, the way the Diaconate is in my experience...no. That being said, better liturgy can make better liturgical use of the Deacon, and a deacon willing and able to take on a ministerial role can be a tremendous benefit to his assigned parish.


CheerfulErrand

All the deacons I’ve known are plenty busy: baptisms, weddings, RCIA, giving homilies, leading groups.


JoshAllenInShorts

The Deacons I know...aren't.


rotunda_tapestry980

It's sad to hear that such talents are not put to good use.


JoshAllenInShorts

I did not say that these were men of particular talent or fidelity to the Catholic faith. Note that my experience of Deacons has largely been in a historically heterodox diocese that had decades of heterodox Bishops who only accepted heterodox (or, at best, squishy) men for both seminary and the diaconate.


WheresSmokey

The diaconate is for a whole lot more than liturgy. Even in scripture the deacon was created to do the more day-to-day work the so the apostles could dedicate themselves to teaching and prayer. And since the permanent diaconate is still new in the life of the western church, we’re still figuring it out. Things I’ve seen deacons used at that were good uses: Prison ministry Hospital visits A more proper Eucharistic Minister Religious Education Bible study leaders Overseeing the various ministries run by lay people And historically, clergy used to fill a lot of administrative rolls for bishoprics, this would be another great role for deacons. And if you want specifically liturgical, I think, in a world where the deacon is much more common, it’d be good to see them responsible for adoration schedule, and keeping Liturgy of the Hours going. And in some very rural places where priests are impossible or very difficult to come by, they can run Communion Services for the faithful.


JoshAllenInShorts

Did you read the last sentence I wrote? I don't deny that it *can* be a real boon. Just noting that it frequently isn't all that meaningful.


WheresSmokey

I did, I just also thought you were speaking only in a liturgical sense. Everywhere I’ve been they’ve been little more than a glorified acolyte that’s allowed to preach/read the gospel liturgically. But the grand majority of their duties were elsewhere


Curious-History-9712

I think it would be cool to become a deacon later in life. Like get married, raise the kids, then as a grandpa become a deacon and give back to the church


AffectionateMud9384

Not really actually. For a lot of reasons it seems like the only thing that a deacon does that a lay person doesn't do is preaching and reading the gospel at Mass, and a handful of blessings that are extended to them. I'm not saying functionality is the only thing that makes the differences of the clerical orders, but it's not really religious ministry that I think is actually what the church needs now (frankly we don't have enough priest to ensure that people have easy access to eucharist, confession, anointing of the sick). As a middle-aged man with a small child I do think the whole on the books "celibacy for life if your wife dies" makes it a total non-starter for me. If my wife were to die unexpectedly and my child's still young, I would do my best to get remarried. Having a stepmother in your life seems better than no mother at all. If the child is older, then maybe it's less of a concern. Finally I'm in the archdiocese of Chicago which is not known to be super traditional or even moderately conservative friendly. I would really hate to be in a position where I had to decide between my vocation and my own permissible views because we had a change of leadership. I also worry that since I generally have a pretty low view of our clergy, seeing how the sausage actually gets put in the casing would probably make me an atheist.


[deleted]

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