Programs of Study

Program for Diaconal Formation

“Preach the Gospel always, when necessary use words.”
St. Francis of Assisi, Deacon

History of the Permanent Diaconate

The Diaconate, restored as a permanent order of ministry by the Second Vatican Council as part of its renewed vision of the church, brings back to the church the full complement of active apostolic ministries. In communion with the bishop and priests, the deacon is ordained to function in all three areas of the church’s life: in the transmission of the Word; in the celebration of the sacraments and commitment to prayer; and in the community’s love in action through service. The deacon is called to be the presence of Jesus, touching the oppressed and the alienated, as well as being a source of encouragement to all the baptized in answering their call to service. By his life, the deacon makes visible to the church and to the world the redemptive service fulfilled by Jesus Christ.

The Diaconate and Tradition

The service of deacons in the Church is documented from apostolic times. A strong tradition attested already by St. Irenaeus and influencing the liturgy of ordination, sees the origin of the Diaconate in the institution of the “seven” mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (6:1-6).

Up to the fifth century the Diaconate flourished in the western church, but after this period, for various reasons, it experienced a slow decline which ended in its surviving only as an intermediate stage for candidates preparing for priestly ordination.

On June 18, 1967, Pope Paul VI implemented the recommendations of the Second Vatican Council and restored the Permanent Diaconate. On August 30, 1968, he approved of the restoration to be implemented in the United States. Each Bishop was allowed to implement it in his own diocese, and in September 1975, the first class of 24 men was begun in the Buffalo Diocese.

Vocations

A call to vocations is a grace from God; a grace that comes through prayerful discernment and through conversation with other deacons, priests or members of religious communities.

A deacon is called to be a servant of God. Just as Jesus said, “I come not to be served, but to serve,” (Matthew 20:28) so too, a deacon is called to a life of service.

The Diaconate is a threefold ministry:

• Minister of the Word
• Minister of the Liturgy
• Minister of Service

The spiritual life of a deacon should always be mindful of the exhortation made to him in the Rite of Ordination: “Receive the Gospel of Christ of which you are the herald; believe what you preach, teach what you believe and put into practice what you teach.”

Deacons currently work in hospitals and nursing homes bringing comfort to the sick and dying, in prison ministries, parishes, working in colleges, with youth ministries, city missions or just about anywhere God calls them to be.

If you sense that you have the talents and the grace to fulfill the mission of Jesus Christ then perhaps God is calling you to the Permanent Diaconate. You may contact Deacon Ted May at (716) 652-4308 to discuss the diaconal formation program.