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

64Chapter 3Formation andfamily life141. A man’s diaconal formation can be a gift in the life of his family,providing it with an opportunity to explore together the meaning ofdiscipleship, Church, and church vocations. It can strengthen thebonds between parents and their children through prayer, communication,and shared virtue. It can also be a powerful experience of community,service, and compassion.Support and encouragehis vocationTHE UNMARRIED PARTICIPANT142. What has been described regarding the role of the family inthe formation of a married man also applies to the family of theunmarried participant (i.e., one who never married, one now widowed,or one now divorced 54 ). His family should likewise be invited toshare appropriately in the formation community. His parents, siblings,children, and extended family need similar grounding in understandingthe ministry of the deacon so they can be supportive andencouraging of his vocation.143. The unmarried participant must grow in clear and realisticunderstanding of the value of celibate chastity and its connection todiaconal ministry. 55 To be lived fruitfully, the value of celibacy mustbe internalized. To achieve these formation goals, the unmarriedparticipant should be incorporated into a mentoring group composedof priests and celibate deacons from whom he can receive support andencouragement, a group where a dialogue on the challenges and afaith-filled response to a celibate lifestyle can be fostered.Formation forministry in amulticultural ChurchMulticultural Diversity144. Deacons are called to serve a multiracial, multiethnic, multiculturalChurch. Immigration will only increase the challenge. Thischanging face of the Catholic Church in the United States shouldhave a significant effect on diaconal formation. The cultures andtraditions of those in diaconal formation—mirroring as they do therich diversity of gifts and unity in faith—need to be respected, valued,and understood. Formation must be sensitive and responsive tothe circumstances of different cultures, 56 especially in their uniquepatterns of learning and expressing their understanding. Thereshould be formal instruction regarding the developmental role andfunction of culture in the life of the individual and community.Recognizing the cultural diversity of the Catholic Church in theUnited States and incorporating experiences and an appreciation