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

139 NDPD

National Directory for Permanent Deacons

139 Pastoral formation develops by means of a specific theological discipline and a practical internship. This theological discipline, traditionally called pastoral theology, is “a scientific reflection on the Church as she is built up daily.” 45 The pastoral dimension of formation needs to pay particular attention to the following elements: a. The Church’s Ministry of the Word —Proclamation of the Word in the varied contexts of ministerial service: kerygma , catechesis, homilet ics (both in theory and practice), evangelization, and missiology 46 b. The Church’s Ministry of Liturgy —Liturgical praxis: celebration of the sacraments and sacramentals, service at the altar c. The Church’s Ministry of Charity —Educating and helping in the exercise of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy by the Church; fostering by facilitation, motivation, and organization the Church’s social justice ministry and the preferential option for the poor 140 As part of his pastoral formation, the participant should acquire an appropriate multicultural awareness, exposure, and sensitivity, suitable to the needs of the diocese, including the possibility of learning a second language and studying its cultural context. 47

45

PDV, no. 57.

46 See EG, nos. 135-159; Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Homiletic Directory (Washington, DC: USCCB, 2015); and USCCB, Preaching the Mystery of Faith: The Sunday Homily (Washington, DC: USCCB, 2013). One may not speak during the homily time of Mass unless he is an ordained priest or deacon. General Instruction on the Roman Missal , no. 66; Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum (2004), no. 161; CIC, cc. 766, 767 §1; Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest (Washington, DC: USCCB, 2007), no. 43; Congregation for the Clergy et al., Instruction on Certain Questions Regarding the Collab oration of the Non-Ordained Faithful in the Sacred Ministry of Priest (August 15, 1997), art. 3 §1, www. vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/laity/documents/rc_con_interdic_doc_15081997_en.html; and complementary legislation from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, “Canon 766— Lay Preaching,” www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/canon-law/complementary-norms/ canon-766-lay-preaching. 47 See Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church, USCCB, Building Intercultural Competence for Min isters (Washington, DC: USCCB, 2012).

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