National Directory

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CANDIDATE STAGE OF DIACONAL FORMATION

develop the human qualities already discerned during the aspirant stage, adding necessary skills for an effective and responsible diaco nal ministry. (224) 4. The spiritual dimension of this stage happens through the can didate’s meeting regularly with his spiritual director and those responsible for formation. The goals are for the candidate to increase in holiness; to deepen his prayer life through the Eucharist, the Sacrament of Penance, the Liturgy of the Hours, and devo tions; and to acquaint himself with the Catholic spiritual tradition reflected in classic and modern spiritual writings. (225, 226) 5. The intellectual dimension of this stage of formation introduces the candidate to the essentials of Christian doctrine and practice, including the core areas of theology faithful to the Magisterium of the Church and based on Scripture and Tradition, the documents of the Second Vatican Council, the Catechism of the Catholic Church , and the General Directory for Catechesis . (132, 227) 6. From Scripture, the core studies should include the major themes and content of the Old and New Testaments: Christian Scriptures, their stages of formation, and their place at the heart of Scripture. Attention should be given to the biblical themes of justice and peace that root and foster Catholic social teaching. (133, 227) 7. From dogmatic theology, the core studies should include funda mental theology, the Trinity, Christology, Creation and the nature of sin, redemption, grace and the human person, ecclesiology (both the Latin and Eastern Catholic Churches sui iuris ), ecumenism and interreligious dialogue, sacraments (especially the Sacrament of Holy Orders and the theology and the relationship of the diacon ate to the episcopate, the presbyterate, and the laity), eschatology, Mariology, missiology, and Catholic evangelization. (133, 227) 8. From moral theology, the core studies should include fundamental moral theology, medical-moral ethics, marriage and family, sexual ity, and social-ministerial ethics. The social teaching of the Church should be presented substantially. (133, 227) 9. From historical studies, the candidate should be introduced to the history of the Church through the ages with an emphasis on patristics. The candidates should be familiar with the multicultural