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

NDPD 259

National Directory for Permanent Deacons

“a genuine personal encounter with Jesus, a trusting dialogue with the Father, and a deep experience of the Spirit.” 16

259 Some recommended spiritual exercises to assist the deacon in developing and promoting his spiritual life include the following:

a. Daily or frequent participation in the Eucharist, the source and summit of the Christian life 17 b. Daily or frequent Eucharistic Adoration, as often as his secular employment and family requirements permit c. It is laudable to develop the habit of monthly celebration of the Sacrament of Penance d. Daily celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours, at the very least Morning and Evening Prayer 18 e. Shared prayer with his family f. Meditative prayer on holy Scripture— lectio divina g. Devotion to Mary, the Mother of God h. Prayerful preparation of oneself prior to celebrating the sacraments, preaching, or beginning one’s ministry of charity i. Theological reflection j. Monthly spiritual direction (recommended)

k. Participation in an annual retreat 19 l. Authentic living of one’s state of life m. Time for personal and familial growth

Intellectual Dimension: Theological Renewal 20 260 The intellectual dimension of diaconate formation does not end with ordination but is an ongoing requirement of the vocation. The theological

16

PDV, no. 72.

17 These recommendations presuppose that he is already meeting his obligations to attend Sunday Mass and all Holy Days of Obligation. See CIC, c. 1247. 18 See this National Directory, no. 95; CIC, c. 276 §2 3°; and complementary legislation from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, “Canon 276, §2, 3º—Permanent Deacons and the Liturgy of the Hours,” www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/canon-law/complementary-norms/canon-276 -2-3-priests-and-deacons-and-the-liturgy-of-the-hours. 19 See CIC, c. 276 §2 4°. 20 DMLPD, no. 72. See also nos. 65, 71.

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