The National Directory for the Formation, Ministry, and the Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States (Ascension)

NDPD

Candidate Stage of Diaconal Formation

220

Candidate Formation Community 217 The candidate community should become primarily an integrating experience where dialogue and collaborative activity provide a unique opportunity for adults to discern the activity of the Holy Spirit in their lives and experiences. 218 To create an environment conducive to adult Christian formation, the director of formation should maintain and make readily accessible a can didate handbook that details the components of the program; provides the rationale, criteria, and guidance for assessments, especially regarding readiness for institution into the ministries of lector and acolyte and, ulti mately, for ordination to the diaconate; and clearly delineates the expec tations and responsibilities of the candidate, including the wife of a mar ried candidate. This handbook is to be approved by the diocesan bishop. 8 The Community of Deacons 219 The community of deacons can be a “precious support in the discern ment of vocation, in human growth, in the initiation to the spiritual life, in theological study and pastoral experience.” 9 Scheduled oppor tunities for conversation and shared pastoral experiences between a candidate and a deacon, as well as meetings between the wife of a can didate and the wife of a deacon, can mutually sustain their enthusiasm and realism about the diaconate. Some exemplary deacons in addition to priests should be appointed by the diocesan bishop to serve as men tors to individual candidates or a small group of candidates. 10 The Parish Community 220 The parish community is an essential extension of the formation com munity. Through its prayer and support, the parish “makes the faithful

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BNFPD, no. 16. BNFPD, no. 26. BNFPD, no. 22.

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