National Directory

116

ASPIRANT STAGE OF DIACONAL FORMATION

1 BNFPD, nos. 41-44. “With admission among the aspirants to diaconate there begins a propaedeutic period . . . [in which] the aspirants will be introduced to a deeper knowledge of theology, of spirituality and of the ministry of deacon and they will be led to a more attentive discernment of their call.”The propaedeutic period may be compared to the pre-seminary program in priestly formation or postulancy in religious life. 2 BNFPD, nos. 41-44.

3 See CL, nos. 1-2. 4 BNFPD, no. 16. 5 BNFPD, no. 51. 6 BNFPD, no. 44 (formation team, supervisors, and pastor). 7 BNFPD, nos. 41, 44. 8 BNFPD, no. 37. 9 BNFPD, nos. 41-44.

10 PDV, no. 43. 11 PDV, no. 43. 12 ADUS.

13 These recommendations presuppose that he is already meeting his obligations to attend weekly Sunday Mass and all Holy Days of Obligation. See CIC, c. 1247. 14 When this National Directory uses the term “mentor,” it is referring to the “tutor” from the Basic Norms for the Formation of Permanent Deacons . See BNFPD, nos. 20, 22, 42, 70. 15 BNFPD, no. 22. 16 See CIC, c. 1034 §1. 17 See this National Directory , nos. 75-78, 225. 18 CL, enclosure I, no. 14.The wife must declare her consent for his petition to enter into candidacy formation; she also should clearly state her understanding of the meaning of diaconal ordination and ministry and its impact on their marriage and family. 19 CL. Shared resources are available from the Secretariat for Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations at the USCCB and from the National Association of Diaconate Directors. 20 BNFPD, no. 44. 21 CL, enclosure III, especially nos. 4, 6, and 8. 22 St. Paul VI, Apostolic Letter Ministeria Quaedam (August 15, 1972), www.vatican. va/content/paul-vi/la/motu_proprio/documents/hf_p-vi_motu-proprio_19720815_ministeria quaedam.html (Latin only). Membership in the clerical state occurs at ordination and not at the time of candidacy.

23 BNFPD, no. 48. 24 BNFPD, no. 47. 25 CL, enclosure I.