As a Deacon in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, for a whole 20 months now, I am very drawn to the continuing formation of those men in various stages of formation. We are blessed here in New Orleans as we have a class of ten men scheduled for ordination in December and another class of twenty approaching the halfway point of their formation journey which may be ordained in 2012. And we also have about fifty plus men beginning an inquiry for a possible class for 2015.
Tonight our 2012 group began an important 3 day retreat at the Benedictine Abbey north of New Orleans. I accompanied our diaconate director and other brother deacons to the Abbey just to be present to our 2012 brothers and their wives before moving into the actual retreat began. This retreat is a silent retreat focused on Ignatian spirituality and using the Examen for prayer life and spiritual direction.
It is always rewarding to be with the candidates and to relive my own experiences in formation. It is indeed a special time when the rigors of formation academics can be balanced with some quiet time, prayer and reflection and deeper spiritual development.
In just a week, our 2010 class and 2012 class begin another semester (a term I hate because it implies school and formation ain't school) and their journey in formation begins another chapter. I ask my family and friends who venture to this site and read this post to pray for these men and their wives who are on the journey and for vocations to ordained life; as permanent deacons and the priesthood.
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