And it begins anew

Last night the first official gathering of our new aspirants for the permanent diaconate gathered as a class.  The aspirants and their wives begin a new journey for the following year that will determine if the 24 men will make application for candidacy for the permamnent diaconate.  It is always exciting to watch the process begin again.

I remember quite fondly my first few days and weeks and months in aspirancy.  I began my formal diaconate journey as an aspirant in January of 2004.  Does not seem that long ago!

Our new class of aspirants number 24 with 22 married gentlemen and 2 single gentlemen.  Over the next few months in aspirancy they will begin classes in  Catholic social teaching, a Catechism survey and a directed Spirituality component.  There will be a summer retreat, in the middle of August and other special seminars and presentations.

Our diaconate program is robust here in the Archdiocese of New Orleans.  In 2006, right after the devastation of Katrina, about 15 men were ordained as Permanent Deacons.  Just two years later in December of 2008, 23 men became Permanent Deacons with yours truly in that number!  Then in 2010, the number of Deacons grew by another 10.  Currently we have 20 men in formation activities as part of a class that would be ordained in December of 2012.  And now we welcome 24 new aspirants.  If they apply for candidacy and complete the course of study, they would be ordained in 2015.

The robust restoration of the Permanent Diaconate after Vatican Council II has seen the increase in pastoral services in areas like prison ministry, hospitals and nursing homes, mental health facilities, hospice, youth programs, maritime ministry and the list goes on.  But even more at the heart of the matter is this robust restoration of the Permanent Diaconate has invigorated parish life by the visible icon of service sacramentalized when the Deacon assists at the altar.  The Permanent Deacon proclaims the Gospel at Mass, prepares the altar and ministers the chalice.  The Permanent Deacon invites us to ask for God's mercy, to offer each other the sign of peace and dismisses us from the Mass to love and serve the Lord.  At the parish the Deacon plays a role in assisting with Baptisms, Marriages, Annulments, RCIA, CCD and even funerals & wakes.

So in our constant prayer for vocations, please remember the ministry and vocational call of the Permanent Deacon!  And may our 24 aspirants enter into this graced time with God's will at the forefront of their call.