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

X NDPD 154

Dimensions in the Formation of Deacons

their lives both within the family and among their peers. They need to express honestly their concerns over the commitment of time and energy by their parents and what this means to the life of the family and to each member. This is not only a family concern; it is a formation concern. 152 A man’s diaconal formation can be a gift in the life of his family, provid ing it with an opportunity to explore together the meaning of disciple ship, the Church, and the vocations of marriage and Holy Orders. It can strengthen the bonds between parents and their children through prayer, communication, and shared virtue. It can also be a powerful experience of community, service, and compassion. The Unmarried Participant 153 What has been described regarding the role of the family in the forma tion of a married man also applies to the family of the unmarried par ticipant (i.e., one who never married, one now widowed, or one civilly divorced 62 ). His family should likewise be invited to share appropriately in the formation community. His parents and siblings, any children, and extended family need similar grounding in understanding the ministry of the deacon so they can be supportive and encouraging of his voca tion. The unmarried participant must likewise demonstrate that he is able to fulfill his responsibilities for the care of any minor children or other dependents. 154 The unmarried participant must grow in clear and realistic understand ing of the value of celibate chastity and its connection to diaconal min istry. 63 To be lived fruitfully, the value of celibacy must be internalized. 62 “While the decision to accept such a [divorced] man remains with the bishop, it must be exercised with the highest caution and prudence. This is particularly so if the candidate has had his marriage declared null by a Church tribunal on psychological grounds (see Letter of the Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education, July 8, 1983, Prot. N. 657/83 & 982/80/136, to His Excellency the Most Rev. John Roach, Archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis, President of the Episcopal Conference of the USA, concerning the admission to seminary of men whose marriages have been declared null by ecclesiastical tribunals).” Congregation for Catholic Education and the Congregation for the Clergy, Joint Study of the US Draft Document–The National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States , Prot. No. 78/2000 (March 4, 2002). 63 PDV, no. 29.

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