Diaconate formation inquiry sessions to be offered

Intermountain Catholic

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SALT LAKE CITY — The Diocese of Salt Lake City is beginning  a Diaconate Formation Program for Catholic men fluent in English.

The diocese began its first program of diaconal formation in 1974. Instituting the diaconate as a permanent order of ministry in our local Church, the Most Rev. Joseph L. Federal, sixth Bishop of Salt Lake City, remarked, “At this time I feel that for the good of souls, the order of Permanent Diaconate should be established in our Diocese of Salt Lake City. … For most of you the idea of the Permanent Diaconate will be something new, but, in fact it has been with the Church from the beginning.”

The program of Diaconate Formation is now a six-year process. The first two years, known as Aspirancy, are primarily focused on vocational discernment. As such, the human and spiritual dimensions of formation are emphasized. During this period, aspirants are also introduced to the intellectual and pastoral dimensions of ministerial formation.

For those selected as candidates at the end of Aspirancy, the final four years delve more deeply into the intellectual and pastoral aspects of formation for ministry, while continuing to foster human and spiritual development. Some of the topics covered during the candidacy period are Scripture, theology, Mariology, the Second Vatican Council, moral theology, homiletics, Christology and canon law.

During the final year, candidates are assigned to a parish for a practicum while continuing to attend academic sessions.

More information can be attained by participating in one of the upcoming Inquiry Sessions hosted by the Office of Deacons. All Inquiry Sessions will be held virtually. To participate in an Inquiry Session, contact  Deacon  Drew  Petersen,  801-328-8641 ext. 337 or  deacon.petersen@dioslc.org; or Mirna Gomez, 801-328-8641 ext. 322 or mirna.gomez@dioslc.org.