EN ESPAÑOL

Discernment

St. Paul in his letter to the Galatians (5:13) says, “For you were called for freedom, brothers. But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve one another through love.”  We are called in our Christian duty to serve one another in love and for some, this invitation to serve Christ and the Church is through ordained ministry.  

For men, single and married, discerning a perceived call to the diaconate, the journey begins not only by searching for more information on the diaconate and the formation program, but even greater is searching their hearts for those key traits found commonly in those called to be ordained.  If married, the journey cannot begin without the full consent of the wife thus it is important to pray together with your wife and dialogue regarding this call. 

During this time, it is also important that you make time to visit and dialogue with your pastor.  If a decision is made to further explore the diaconal vocation, then attending a Diaconate Information Night is next. 

Diaconate Information Night

The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston starts a new class for the Permanent Diaconate every 3 years (Cohort of 2029, Cohort of 2032, etc.)  Diaconate Information Night (approximately 2.5 hours) provides men, and their wives, with an overview of the Permanent Diaconate and the Formation Process and offers the opportunity to ask questions.  Men, and their wives, are required to register for and attend a Diaconate Information Night to move forward in the discernment process. 

Propaedeutic Year

After attending an information night, those who continue to perceive a call to the ministry of the diaconate, are required to participate in a formal discernment called the Propaedeutic Year. Not yet admitted into formation, men, along with their wives if married, receive additional accompaniment in their discernment and possible admittance into formation. 

Understanding the importance of the discernment process, the Propaedeutic Year provides men with a full year of formal discernment prior to seeking acceptance into formation.  For men who are married, the willingness of the wife is required not only in the initial year of discernment but throughout formation if accepted.  In addition to the wife’s consent, the church pastor must fill out and submit a Pastor Letter of Acknowledgement to confirm he has spoken to the man and his wife regarding the interest in pursuing the discernment process.  See our Basic Requirements section for more information.

• Age: Man must be at least 28-57 years old by January 1, 2028, to begin the next Propaedeutic Year.
• Completion of CMGConnect: Man (and his wife if married) must have completed training previously known as Safe Environment.  Click here for more information: www.galvestonhouston.cmgconnect.org.
• Free of Impediments: Men must be free of impediments that would hinder the possibility of becoming a deacon. These will be discussed further during Information Night.
• Marriage: Couples must be in a stable, sacramental marriage for at least 5 years.
  • Wife must consent to participation and be a willing participant throughout.
  • If the single applicant is a widower, three (3) years should elapse between the beginning of the Propaedeutic Year and the date of his spouse’s passing.
• Sacraments: Man (and his wife if married) must be Catholic in good standing and in full communion for at least 5 years.
  • Includes converts or those lapsed from the practice of the faith.
• Residency Status: Man (and his wife if married) must be a US Citizen / US Permanent Resident and reside within the boundaries of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston which includes Austin, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Harris, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Walker, and Waller counties.
• Education: Man must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent (GED).

St. John Paul II affirms to us:  "This is the very heart of the diaconate to which you have been called: to be a servant of the mysteries of Christ and, at the same time, to be a servant of your brothers and sisters.”

The formation process for permanent deacons is developed from the guidelines established by the U.S. Bishops in the National Directory for the Formation, Ministry, and Life of the Permanent Diaconate in the United States. The 6-year Formation Program is divided into 2 stages – the first 2 years are Aspirant years followed by the Candidate 4-years.

The formation for the Permanent Diaconate in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston is a six (6) year process that includes weekly academic courses (optional for the wife) centered on the Academic dimension of the diaconate and Saturday Formation classes that introduce and develop the Spiritual, Human, and Pastoral dimensions.  Saturday Formation takes place monthly (excluding June and July) and includes prayer and reflection in large and small group discussions.  Participation in Saturday Formation is required for the wives of men participating in formation.  All classes are held at the University of St. Thomas School of Theology at St. Mary’s Seminary unless otherwise noted.

Participation in formation and progression through the various stages is determined by the Archbishop, with advice from the Admission and Formation Teams. 

Field Education

In the last three years of the formation process, men participate in the Field Education component allowing them to continue to develop their pastoral and human skills and apply them in a pastoral setting.  Men will be assigned to a Field Education Parish, where the pastor along with a support team assist the men in accomplishing a yearly set of skills, helping them grow in their spiritual life. 

Social Ministry

Critical to a deacon’s service to the church is his ministry of Charity.  His role is “of service” or “Diakonia”. His role is of service to the Church as “Christ the Servant” and is an essential part of the mission of the church. 

Men in formation are required to participate in a Social Ministry “to be a driving force of service to the Church”.  Ministries include Ministries to the Poor, the Sick and the Incarcerated.  i.e.: Hospitals, Correctional Facilities, Rehabilitation Centers, Shelters and Halfway Houses; and ministries that support the nurturing and strengthening of Families: i.e. Family Life Ministries, Pro-life Ministries, Special Youth Services, and Young Adult and Campus Ministries. 

Candidates are required to provide 8 hours a month of service in one of these ministries.  This is outside the service to the local parish and will continue beyond ordination. 

St. John Paul II affirms to us:  "This is the very heart of the diaconate to which you have been called: to be a servant of the mysteries of Christ and, at the same time, to be a servant of your brothers and sisters.”

If admitted to the order of the diaconate, men receive their Pagella stating the faculties granted including the faculty to preach and celebrate Sacraments including Baptism and Marriage.  In addition to this, men receive their ongoing Social Ministry agreement which may or may not be the same as initially granted.

Finally, the Archbishop will assign the men to a parish based on the current Archdiocesan needs.

Do wives have to attend class with their husbands?

Wives are allowed and encouraged to attend academic classes.  However, only the Saturday formation classes are required for wives. 

In addition to Saturday Formation, wives are also required to attend the annual retreats with their husbands.

We have young children, should we wait until they are older to join the formation process?

Every family situation is different.  While the formation process will be demanding, with the proper family support, men with young children can still participate.

Am I allowed to bring my children to class with me?

No. For safety reasons, only those attending class are allowed on campus.

Do you have distance learning?

No.  In-person attendance is required.

I heard you will be assigned to a different parish from your current one.  Is this true?

Yes.  During formation, men are assigned a Field Education outside of their current parish to train for three years.  If ordained, they are then assigned to a parish based on need as perceived by the Archbishop and the Deacon Personnel Board.

What is your requirement for education?

Men are required to have a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent.  It is not required for the wives unless they desire to take classes for credit (or audit classes in year 3-6).

To join formation, am I required to be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident?

Yes.  You are required to be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident.

How many hours will I spend in class?

Weekly academic classes are typically 2.75 hours long.  Saturday formation classes are 8-9 hours.

Upcoming Cohorts

2029-35

Preparations for the 2029-35 Cohort are underway.  The timeline for this Cohort is as follows:

INFORMATION NIGHTS (TENTATIVE)

• 2026: January, March, May September, November

• 2027: January, March, May September, November

PROPAEDEUTIC

• 2028

  . FORMATION (IF ADMITTED)

• Begins January 2029

If after reviewing our website, you are still interested in discerning diaconal ministry and meet the basic requirements, fill out and submit the Office of the Permanent Diaconate Inquirer Questionnaire by following the link below.  The Director of Admissions and Scrutiny will contact you with more information on your next step.

Questionnaire