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

This National Directory for the Formation, Ministry, and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States of America is intended to serve the entire Catholic Church in the United States of America. Its principles, norms, and pastoral applications are directed specifically to the Latin Church. Nonetheless, it may be of as sistance as a consistent reference for all Churches sui iuris in the United States of America in the preparation of the adaptations necessary to address the particular traditions, pastoral life, and requirements of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches .

Cover image: Ordination of St. Stephen as a Deacon by Vittore Carpaccio/Restored Traditions. Used with permission. Scripture excerpts used in this work are taken from the New American Bible , Revised Edition, copyright © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970, by the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC 20017, and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All rights reserved. Excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church , second edition, copyright © 2000, Libreria Editrice Vaticana–United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Excerpts from the General Directory for Catechesis , copyright © 1998, Libreria Editrice Vaticana–United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, are used with permission. All rights reserved. Excerpts from the English translation of the Rites of Ordination of a Bishop, of Priests, and of Deacons (Third Typical Edition) copyright © 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy, Corporation. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Excerpts from the Code of Canon Law: Latin-English Edition, New English Translation . Translation of Codex Iuris Canonici prepared under the auspices of the Canon Law Society of America, fourth printing, Washington, DC, copyright © 2023 . Used with permission. Copyright © 2005, 2021, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright holder. Cover and interior design by: Ashley Dias ISBN: 978-8-89276-025-6 This edition © 2024 Ascension Publishing Group, LLC. Published under license granted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Ascension PO Box 1990 West Chester, PA 19380 1-800-376-0520 ascensionpress.com Printed in the United States of America 2425262728654321