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

NDPD 245

National Directory for Permanent Deacons

j. The candidate provides a recent photograph and biographical infor mation for use in the publicizing of his ordination. k. Other documentation is provided, as requested by the committee. 41 245 A collegial session of the committee on admission is to be scheduled for these assessments. 42 Having consulted the committee, the diocesan bishop will select those to be admitted to each specific ministry and those to be called to ordination. 246 It is appropriate for a retreat or a day for reflection to precede the recep tion of the specific ministry. Whenever possible, this should be provided in the language with which the candidate is most comfortable. It will usually be helpful to wives to participate in the retreat, although during portions of the retreat it will usually be helpful to provide the opportu nity for separate treatment of the respective roles of each in the vocation of the husband to the diaconate. The conferral of the ministry should be celebrated on a Sunday or feast day, according to the rite of the Roman Pontifical . These rites are public celebrations with ecclesial significance. 43 Special attention should be given to the participation of the wives and children of married candidates. The ministry of lector is to be conferred first. “It is appropriate that a certain period of time elapse between the conferring of the lectorate [rite of lector] and acolytate [rite of acolyte] in such a way that the candidate may exercise the ministry he has received.” 44 247 After the reception of the ministry, a certificate indicating the min istry received, date, place, and conferring prelate should be prepared and signed by the chancellor of the diocese and officially sealed. This Rite of Institution into the Ministry of Lector and Ministry of Acolyte

41

CL.

42 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. 43 BNFPD, nos. 57-59. 44 BNFPD, no. 59.

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