Office of the Permanent Diaconate

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New Class Forming for Permanent Diaconate   

The Diocese of Scranton is seeking men who want to serve as permanent deacons. Successful candidates will begin the five-year formation program in the fall.   

In the Catholic Church, there are three categories of ordained ministers: bishops, priests and deacons. All are members of the clergy.  

A permanent deacon is called by God to serve in the manner of Jesus and is ordained as a sacramental sign of Christ, who came “to serve and not to be served.”

The deacon’s service, he said, has three aspects: Word, worship and charity.  

Deacons proclaim the Gospel and, on occasion, preach. They can preside at the Liturgy of the Hours. 

 

 

Contact US
Monsignor David Bohr
Diocesan Secretary for Clergy Formation

Susan Ruane
Secretary
 

Diocese of Scranton
300 Wyoming Avenue
Scranton, PA 18503       

Phone: 570-207-1452
Fax: 570-207-1833

Deacons can baptize, witness marriages, and conduct wake and grave-site services.  

As a leader in charity, the deacon identifies the needs in the parish, and then coordinates the efforts and resources to address those needs. He ministers to the needs of families, single parents, students, the aged, the infirmed, the imprisoned, and those who suffer from poverty or addictions.  

Knowing those needs, the deacon brings them to the altar at Mass so that they can be lifted up to God in the Prayers of the Faithful.  

The five-year formation program includes study, prayer and active service. A 13-week course will be offered each semester and the candidate will have an additional one-day course each month. A day of reflection will be required each semester and a weekend retreat will be held each year. Required reading will be done in the summer. If married, the candidate’s wife must attend the days of reflection and the retreat, and she is encouraged to attend the courses.  

To be considered for acceptance into the program, the man should be between 31 and 60 years of age, have sound moral character, be mature in faith, and have a sense of vocation to service.  

He should have already demonstrated active service and involvement among the people of his parish and community, and be attuned to the needs and life of the Church and family life. He should be able to offer 10-12 hours per week to the program and to the diaconate when ordained.  

If married, he must have the support of his wife. Single men must remain single once they are ordained as permanent deacons.  

To enter the process, the candidate must be nominated by his pastor. The pastor will gather information about the candidate and submit that in writing to the Office of the Permanent Diaconate.  

The candidate should make his interest in the Permanent Diaconate Program known to his pastor as quickly as possible since nominations will be submitted during February and early March. 

Criteria for Candidates  

  • Male between 31 and 60 years of age.
  • Must have sound moral character, be mature in faith, and have a sense of vocation to service and already demonstrated active service and involvement in his parish and community.
  • Able to offer 10-12 hours per week during the five-year formation program, and similar time commitment once ordained.
  • If married, he must have the support of his wife. Single men must remain single once they are ordained as permanent deacons.
  • Candidate must be nominated by his pastor. The candidate should make his interest known to his pastor as quickly as possible since nominations will be submitted during February and early March.