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

NDPD

Candidate Stage of Diaconal Formation

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236 The responsibility of the team of formators culminates in the prepara tion of a yearly written report on each candidate. This report, which is to be presented to the diocesan bishop, provides a synthesis of the candidate’s achievements and limitations, particularly in reference to his human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral readiness for continuation in the formation process and, ultimately, for nomination to ordination. 27 This written assessment should include an estimation of an unmarried candidate’s capacity to lead a perpetual chaste and celibate life. For a married candidate, it should present an appraisal of his family’s stability and capacity to support his vocation, especially addressing the status of his wife’s readiness. Each year, the number of affirmative and negative votes of the formation team regarding the continuance or separation of the candidate from formation is to be recorded. If there are abstentions, they are to be explained. 28 The diocesan bishop expects the objective and critical judgment of those who collaborate with him in formation. This report should reflect a clear consensus among those who have been involved with the candidate’s training and formation. The written report is to be maintained in the candidate’s personal file, where accumulated reports can be compared to ascertain patterns of growth or regression, as well as new areas for affirmation or concern. 237 The director of formation must transmit this report verbally to the can didate. It should be made available to the candidate’s spiritual director, whose “task is that of discerning the workings of the Spirit in the soul of those called and, at that same time, of accompanying and support ing their ongoing conversion.” 29 It may be helpful to share the report with the candidate’s proper pastor, if he did not participate in the formal review. Finally, the director of formation also will share this report with the committee on admission, especially in its deliberations regarding

27 28

BNFPD, no. 23. CL, nos. 7, 8.

29 The recommendation and vote on each request are to be recorded and attached to the written report submit ted to the diocesan bishop. All documentation generated by the committee should be maintained. See CL.

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