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

86Chapter 5possible. 5 Since the director of formation, in collaboration withthose who share in the responsibility for formation, 6 is expected toprepare a declaration of readiness for the bishop that profiles theaspirant’s personality and provides a judgment of suitability for candidateformation and ultimately ordination, the aspirant path of formationmust be of an appropriate length. 7 In the diocesan churchesof the United States, the aspirant path of formation will ordinarilylast one year.A distinctive programThe components ofthe aspirant pathof formation186. Although some aspects of the aspirant path may be linkedwith other lay apostolate formation programs in a diocese, the aspirantpath must be a distinctive program that provides for a thoroughdiscernment of a diaconal vocation. Therefore, it must provide anappropriate initiation into diaconal spirituality; supervised pastoralexperiences, especially among the poor and marginalized; and anadequate assessment of the aspirant’s potential to be promoted tocandidate formation, and ultimately to ordination. The aspirantpath also must enable the formation personnel to create an environmentin which a wife of a married aspirant can be appropriately preparedto give her consent to his continuation, and more essentially,to ascertain her compatibility with her husband’s diaconal vocationand eventual ministry. 8187. During this period of discernment, the aspirant is to be introducedto the study of theology, to a deeper knowledge of the spiritualityand ministry of the deacon, and to a more attentive discernmentof his call. This period is also a time to form an aspirant communitywith its own cycle of meetings and prayer. Finally, this period is toensure the aspirant’s regular participation in spiritual direction, tointroduce him to the pastoral ministries of the diocesan Church, andto assist his family in their support of his formation. 9II. The Dimensions of Formation in the Aspirant Path188. At the aspirant level in formation, the following objectivesare to be highlighted. These are presented in greater detail inChapter Three, “Dimensions in the Formation of Deacons.”