National Directory

89

DIMENSIONS IN THE FORMATION OF DEACONS

e. His embrace of the universal nature of the Church and its mission ary evangelical spirit f. A balanced capacity for and commitment to the ministries of word, liturgy, and charity, demonstrated in his words and deeds g. A commitment to ongoing growth in the human, spiritual, intellec tual, and pastoral dimensions of formation h. A capacity to foster the communion and mission of the lay faithful, in collaboration with the diocesan bishop and presbyterate i. An obedient and humble service to all in the name of the Church j. His ability to celebrate, in accordance with the Church’s legislation and with due reverence and devotion, those liturgical and sacramen tal acts that the Church entrusts to the deacon 166. All stages, both initial and ongoing, of a well-conceived diocesan for mation program will comply fully with the Congregation for Catholic Education’s document Basic Norms for the Formation of Permanent Deacons , as well as this National Directory . 1. Three separate but integral stages constitute a unified diocesan formation program for deacons: aspirant, candidate, and post- ordination. (112) 2. Each stage should include the four dimensions for a complete for mation process: human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral. (112) 3. The role of the spiritual director, who must always be a priest, is critical to the formation process, particularly in assisting the par ticipant in discerning and affirming the signs of his vocation. (125) 4. Intellectual formation must introduce the diaconal participant and the ordained deacon to the fundamental teachings of the Church covering the areas delineated by the document Basic Norms for the Formation of Permanent Deacons , as well as by this National Directo ry . It is essential that before ordination the participant have a thor ough knowledge of the Catholic faith and be able to communicate it effectively. (133) Norms