Am I called to the Diaconate?
If you are between the ages of 30 – 55, involved in your parish and community life, and feel called to more deeply serve the local Church of the Diocese of Green Bay, you may be called to the diaconate. All are called to serve as priest, prophet, and king according to our baptism; however, the deacon is called to a level of self-giving service that is willing to leave behind the simple pleasures of the world to follow Christ in self-giving service.
Some things to consider or questions to ask oneself when discerning the diaconate are the following:
Am I really called to this particular vocation or am I looking for something more to be involved in at my parish?
A common misconception is that the diaconate is “the next step” of how to serve at a parish. A deacon is not one who is measured by a list of what he does, but who he is at the core of his being.
If I am married and have children, am I relatively established in my marriage and as a father?
Not every deacon is married or has children. There are celibate permanent deacons; however, most deacons are married. If a man is married, the vocation of the diaconate is built upon the foundation of our marriage and our primary responsibilities are to our wives and our children. If our house is not in order, it is impossible to give of ourselves so a stable marriage – of at least five years if a man is married – is essential.
Do I have to be married to be a deacon?
No; however, a cleric – one who is ordained in the Church – cannot marry so, if one is single when he is ordained, he must take a vow of celibacy.
Is my wife supportive of me pursuing this vocation?
Because the sacrament of matrimony is the bedrock upon which the vocation of the married permanent deacon is built, our wives must be fully supportive of the pursuit of this vocation. This is taken very seriously in discernment of applicants and is reiterated all throughout the formation process so much so that the wife of an aspirant and candidate must give their full consent to their husband moving forward in formation and to her husband being ordained.
Am I willing to live a life of celibacy if my wife should die before me?
As mentioned above, one who is ordained cannot marry. If one’s wife passes, a deacon is not ordinarily allowed to re-marry.
Am I willing to serve in a parish or a ministry other than my own?
Deacons are ordained for the Diocese and service to their local bishop so a deacon can be assigned to a parish or a ministry other than his current parish. When, at ordination, the deacon places his hands inside of the bishop’s and gives his oath of fidelity to the bishop and his successors, he effectively vows to be obedient to the movement of the Holy Spirit as the bishop determines where he is to serve and in what ministries to which he will be assigned.
I think I might be called to the vocation of the diaconate, what are my next steps?
- Talk to your pastor. Is this vocation something he sees and supports?
- Talk to your family and friends. Is this something that they see in you?
- Contact Dcn. Shaun Johnson for more information and to potentially get the ball rolling.