Deacon Formation Program
Is God Calling You?
Qualities we look for:
Those who aspire to be candidates for the diaconate should exhibit certain characteristics that demonstrate a readiness for formation:
- A man of prayer, who demonstrates this quality in his daily life, and in his full and active participation in the liturgy
- A Catholic who is fully initiated and in good standing with the Catholic Church
- Commitment to serving the needs of the Church, especially the poor and vulnerable
- A lifetime pattern of spiritual, pastoral, human and intellectual growth
- Solid moral character demonstrating the human virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance
- Humility, good listening skills and openness to conversion
- Empathy, constancy, sincerity, truthfulness, patience enabling good relationships with others
- Preparedness to understand, present and promote the teachings of the Church
Phase 1: INQUIRY
The Inquiry phase for the next class is concluded.
Phase 2: APPLICATION
12/8/23: Applications for the next class of the deacon formation program are now closed. Completed application packets will be reviewed and final recommendations will be made to Archbishop Etienne in the Spring of 2024.
Please contact deacon.application@seattlearch.org if you have any questions.
Phase 3: ADMISSION
Once final decisions have been made in Spring 2024, welcome letters will be sent out.
4/1/24: Thirty aspirants have been accepted into the formation program.
Formation weekends begin in August 2024. Discernment extends throughout the entire aspirant formation process allowing for personal observations, dialogue, interviews, and additional assessments of each aspirant.
If you are accepted into the program you are required to be present at the following formation weekends:
| 2024-2025 August 16-18 September 13-15 October 18-20 November 15-17 December 13-15 January 24-26 February 21-23 March 21-23 April 25-27 May 16-18 June 13-15 |
2025-2026 August 15-17 September 19-21 October 17-19 November 14-16 December 12-14 January 9-12 February 20-22 March 20-22 April 17-19 May 15-17 June 12-14 |
2026-2027 August 21-23 September 18-20 October 16-18 November 13-15 December 11-13 January 8-10 February 19-21 March 19-21 April 16-18 May 14-16 June 11-13 |
| 2027-2028 August 20-22 September 17-19 October 15-17 November 12-14 December 10-12 January 21-23 February 11-13 March 17-19 April 21-23 May 19-21 June 9-11 |
2028-2029 August 18-20 September 15-17 October 20-22 November 10-12 December 8-10 January 19-21 February 9-11 March 16-18 April 20-22 May 18-20 June 8-10 |
2029 August 17-19 September 14-16 October 19-21 November 9-11Upon reception of call to orders and ordination (God-willing), your formation will continue for a period of time post-ordination. |
Questions?
Please contact Deacon Eric Paige, Director of Formation and Deacon Services, at eric.paige@seattlearch.org
“Deacons share in Christ’s mission and grace in a special way. The sacrament of Holy Orders marks them with an imprint (‘character’) which cannot be removed and which configures them to Christ, who made himself the ‘deacon’ or servant of all. Among other tasks, it is the task of deacons to assist the bishop and priests in the celebration of the divine mysteries, above all the Eucharist, in the distribution of Holy Communion, in assisting at and blessing marriages, in the proclamation of the Gospel and preaching, in presiding over funerals, and in dedicating themselves to the various ministries of charity.”
~ Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1570