National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent ...

CHAPTER FIVEASPIRANT PATH INDIACONAL FORMATIONI. Introduction182. Upon completion of the initial inquiry process, the bishopmay accept some inquirers into aspirancy. This aspirant path in diaconalformation, as described in this Directory, corresponds to the“propaedeutic period” required by the Basic Norms for the Formationof Permanent Deacons of the Congregation for Catholic Education. 1The aspirant path is primarily a time to discern the capability andreadiness of an aspirant to be nominated to the bishop for acceptanceas a candidate for diaconal ordination. 2183. Those responsible for the aspirant path in formation shouldbe thoroughly familiar with the doctrinal understanding of the diaconate:including its ministry and life and the dimensions of formation,as described in the Basic Norms for the Formation of PermanentDeacons and this Directory. These components converge on a commongoal: to enable the aspirant to demonstrate the possibility of adiaconal vocation and an appropriate level of readiness for eventualselection into candidate formation. 3184. To create an environment conducive to adult Christian formation,the director of formation should prepare an aspirant handbookthat details the components of the program, provides a rationale andguidance for assessment, and clearly delineates the expectations andresponsibilities of the aspirant, including those regarding the wife ofa married aspirant. This handbook is to be approved by the bishop. 4185. Because of the aspirant’s secular employment and personaland family commitments, appropriate attention is to be given to theimplementation of a family life perspective in organizing the aspirantpath. In this regard, the most common formation models that haveemerged in the United States organize formation meetings on variousevenings, weekends, holidays, or a combination of such times.Different ways of organizing the aspirant formation path arePropaedeutic periodThe goal ofaspirant formationAspirant handbookAspirant path:Ordinarily one yearin duration