Married and unmarried Catholic men continue to show interest in becoming ordained ministers

The B.C. Catholic



Another group of dedicated Catholic men will embark on the path toward the permanent diaconate this fall.

Msgr. Gregory Smith, head of the permanent diaconate office of the archdiocese, said this eager group will be the third cohort of men to apply, receive formation, and, God willing, be ordained.

“It’s an interesting group that’s rather keen and enthusiastic, and we’re very pleased by their willingness to apply,” he said.

The Archdiocese of Vancouver first began training men to serve the Church in this unique way in 2011, and witnessed a historic ceremony when its first class of permanent deacons, 16 in all, were ordained in 2015.

Eight men, a second cohort, were admitted as candidates that same year and have a few years’ training left. Thanks to continued interest, a third cohort is now forming.

Married or unmarried men have to be 35-65 years old by ordination day to apply. The process includes application forms from aspiring deacons and their wives, reference letters from pastors, parishioners, and employers, and interviews.

So far, eight have started the application process.

If accepted, “They will, during the first year, be considered aspirants,” as they begin training at St. Mark’s College, Msgr. Smith explained.

“After they have proved themselves as aspirants to be ready and able to begin diaconal formation in earnest, they will be instituted as candidates for the diaconate,” and begin the formal program in the fall of 2017.

Msgr. Smith said these applicants are “significantly younger,” on average, than the first two cohorts, and he will approach their formation differently.

“Academic demands have made it somewhat difficult for people who still have children at home to participate.” Their program will be more flexible and might take five years instead of four to complete, which is “not uncommon” in North America.

Permanent deacons preach and serve in parishes and in various ministries as ordained clerics while keeping their jobs and family responsibilities.

“A deacon is called to be an icon of Jesus the Servant,” Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, told the first group of permanent deacons shortly before their ordination.

“You are becoming ‘public men’ in the life of the Church.”