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Details of the Diaconate Program Admissions Process

 

Overview

The process of becoming a permanent deacon for the Archdiocese of Boston takes approximately five years from the time a person requests an application until the actual ordination.  Admission to a formation program is a key moment in which the Church begins to exercise the gift of vocational discernment.  Because this gift involves a right and serious obligation of the Church, a prayerful and deliberative process is undertaken.
Application Request A man interested in becoming a candidate for the Permanent Diaconate should call or write the Diaconate Office and request an application.  After filling out the rather extensive application and writing an autobiography, the applicant procures the necessary church documents for baptism, confirmation, and marriage, if the applicant is married.  The completed application with a picture of the applicant is submitted to his pastor or the parish priest.  If the pastor or parish priest approves the application, he sends his recommendation to the regional bishop who reviews the application and then forwards it to the Office of the Permanent Diaconate.
Interviews

The Diaconate Office will assign a Regional Examiners (a deacon couple) to interview the applicant and, if married, his wife.  The Regional Examiners will submit a report to the Diaconate Office.  The information received will be reviewed by the Diaconate Staff and a decision rendered whether to continue or not with the admissions process.  If the Diaconate staff decides not to continue, the applicant as well as the priest who recommended the applicant will be informed by a staff member.  If the Diaconate Staff is favorable to the application, the next phase of the admissions will be undertaken.

The applicant (and, if married, his wife) will be interviewed by staff members of the Diaconate Office.   If signs of a vocation to service seem evident, a series of tests (vocabulary, reading, religion literacy, a structured interview) will also be administered to the applicant. All of these will be reviewed by the Diaconate Staff and a decision made to advance or to terminate the application.  If the Diaconate staff is in favor of continuing, the applicant will move to the next phase of the admissions process.

The applicant (and, if married, his wife) is interviewed by an Admissions Board.  The Admissions Board makes a preliminary decision concerning the applicant’s admission as a candidate.  If the Admissions Board is favorable to the applicant, he undertakes a psychological evaluation. Results of the evaluation are kept in strict confidence and are only made available to the Diaconate Staff, and if the applicant is received as a candidate, to his spiritual director.

Reviews The staff of the Diaconate Office conducts a final review of all the materials received in the admissions process before the applicant is notified of a final decision.  Throughout the entire process of admissions, all the information is kept confidential and is used solely by the admission staff in the assessment of potential candidates. At anytime an applicant may request a meeting with a member of the Diaconate staff to discuss any decisions that are made in his regard.
Timing An applicant not received as a candidate, may reapply only once for reconsideration.   Requests for an application can be made at anytime.  However, it should be noted that a new formation program for diaconate candidates begins in September of every other year.  Application must be filed by January 1st of the year in which the applicant desires to begin formation.

                                                                  Please see the description of the formation program here                                               

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