National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent ...
National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent ...
National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent ...
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116 Chapter 7In marriage, love becomes an interpersonal giving <strong>of</strong> self, amutual fidelity, a source <strong>of</strong> new life, a support in times <strong>of</strong> joy <strong>and</strong>sorrow: in short, love becomes service. When lived in faith, thisfamily service is <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> rest <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> faithful an example <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>love <strong>of</strong> Christ. The married deacon must use it as a stimulus <strong>of</strong>his diakonia in <strong>the</strong> Church. 16To foster <strong>and</strong> nurture his diaconal ministry <strong>and</strong> lifestyle according tohis state in life, each deacon must be rooted in a spirit <strong>of</strong> service thatverifies “a genuine personal encounter with Jesus, a trusting dialoguewith <strong>the</strong> Fa<strong>the</strong>r, <strong>and</strong> a deep experience <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Spirit.” 17247. Some recommended spiritual exercises to assist <strong>the</strong> deacon indeveloping <strong>and</strong> promoting his spiritual life include <strong>the</strong> following:a. Daily or frequent participation in <strong>the</strong> Eucharist, <strong>the</strong> source <strong>and</strong>summit <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Christian life, as well as daily or frequenteucharistic adoration, as <strong>of</strong>ten as his secular employment <strong>and</strong>family requirements permitb. Regular reception <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Sacrament <strong>of</strong> Reconciliationc. Daily celebration <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Liturgy <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Hours, especially morning<strong>and</strong> evening prayerd. Shared prayer with his familye. Meditative prayer on <strong>the</strong> holy Scriptures—lectio divinaf. Devotion to Mary, <strong>the</strong> Mo<strong>the</strong>r Godg. Prayerful preparation <strong>of</strong> oneself prior to <strong>the</strong> celebration <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>sacraments, preaching, or beginning one’s ministry <strong>of</strong> charityh. Theological reflectioni. Regular spiritual directionj. Participation in an annual retreatk. Au<strong>the</strong>ntic living <strong>of</strong> one’s state <strong>of</strong> lifel. Time <strong>for</strong> personal <strong>and</strong> familial growthIntellectual Dimension: Theological Renewal 18248. The intellectual dimension <strong>of</strong> diaconate <strong>for</strong>mation does notend with ordination but is an ongoing requirement <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> vocation.The <strong>the</strong>ological dem<strong>and</strong>s <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir call to a singular ministry <strong>of</strong> ecclesialservice <strong>and</strong> pastoral servant-leadership require <strong>of</strong> deacons agrowing love <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> Church—<strong>for</strong> God’s Holy People—shown by<strong>the</strong>ir faithful <strong>and</strong> competent carrying out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir proper functions
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