Deacon Formation

Purpose:

To oversee and coordinate the formation and ministry of deacons in the Diocese of Dallas. 

Ongoing Formation

Formation of Diaconate Candidates
The Call to the Diaconate is actually a response to the Call put forth by the Church. We believe that the Holy Spirit calls forth men to serve the needs of the Church.

Notification about new classes is printed in The Texas Catholic. In addition, pastors and deacons are notified and asked to recommend persons whom they think might have a calling to the diaconate.

Discernment of the Call continues throughout the formation process. Initially, there are four Sundays (once a month) of inquiry for those interested in Diaconate formation, along with four small group meetings (one each month). The Aspirancy Program follows, a one-year period of introductory coursework entailing one weekend a month (September – May). Those aspirants deemed suitable are then admitted to Candidacy and the formal coursework of the Candidacy period follows. Men admitted to Candidacy meet one weekend a month for 4 ½ years.

There will be monthly small group meetings throughout the process. Also, there is a mandatory 4-day retreat scheduled each summer.

Wives are expected to attend the Inquiry Sundays, the Aspirancy Program weekends, and all of the retreats and small group meetings. Wives are encouraged and welcome to attend and participate in all weekend classes.

One discerning a Call to the Diaconate must:

• Be a Catholic male of demonstrated faith and high moral character, actively involved in lay ministry in his parish or the Diocese;
• Be recommended by his Pastor;
• If married, be in a stable marriage of at least four years duration and have the full support of his wife;
• At the start of the formation process, be between the ages of 29 and 59, inclusive;
• Be completely fluent in both reading and writing English or Spanish;
• Have a minimum of a high school education or its equivalent and be capable of completing the required coursework;
• Be willing and able to commit himself to the required formation time;
• Be willing to undergo a thorough background check;
• Be in good health and have no disability that would impede his ministry;
• Be a resident of the Diocese of Dallas

Ongoing Formation of Existing Deacons

• Sponsoring of annual Deacons’ Retreat
• Sponsoring of annual Deacons’ Congress

Contact Information:
Director: Deacon John O’Leary
Phone: 214-379-2859
E-mail: