Permanent Deacons: Discerning a Call to Holy OrdersCourse Level: Basic

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Course Summary

The permanent diaconate has grown tremendously since it was reinstated just over 50 years ago.  While each bishop’s conference has the authority to design its own pathway to ordination, there are many common elements.  The course on Permanent Deacons: Discerning a Call to Holy Orders will assist the student in understanding the role of the permanent deacon in the Church, formation requirements, and the fundamentals of discerning a call to ministry. 


Successful completion of this course earns 2.5 CEU's. Click here for more information about CEU's.

General Course Objectives

  • Participants are able to explain to others who a permanent deacon is, especially in contrast to a lay minister.
  • Participants are able to understand the call to the diaconate, including the selection process for acceptance into formation.
  • Participants will explore how the four pillars of formation (Human, Spiritual, Intellectual, and Pastoral) will affect their lives during formation.
  • Participants will understand the importance of support (family and friends) in the formation of deacons as well as in their role as permanent deacons.
  • Participants will utilize tools such as prayer and decision making to discern a call (vocation)

Course Materials

  • Required Book: Keating, James The Heart of the Diaconate: Communion with the Servant Mysteries of Christ Paulist Press, 2015 ISBN: 0809149176; ISBN-13: 978-0809149179; ASIN: ‎B015CVY69M

Course Structure and Highlights

  • Week 1: The Permanent Diaconate
    • Participants are able to explain to others who a permanent deacon is, especially in contrast to a lay minister.
  • Week 2: The Call to the Diaconate
    • Participants are able to understand the call to the diaconate, including the selection process for acceptance into formation.
  • Week 3: The Formation Process
    • Participants will explore how the four pillars of formation (Human, Spiritual, Intellectual, and Pastoral) will affect their lives during formation.
  • Week 4: The Role of Family in Deacon Formation
    • Participants will understand the importance of support (family and friends) in the formation of deacons as well as in their role as permanent deacons.
  • Week 5: Discerning My Vocation
    • Participants will utilize tools to discern a call (vocation)